INFO GUIDE: 1999 - 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR (Tommi Makinen)
- Description
- 1. External Features - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 Tommi Makinen Edition
- 2. Interior Features - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 Tommi Makinen Edition
- 3. Original Paint Colours / Codes - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 Tommi Makinen Edition
- 4. Engine Number - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 Tommi Makinen Edition
- 5. Chassis Number - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 Tommi Makinen Edition
- 6. Mechanical Features - Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 Tommi Makinen Edition
Description
This "Buyers Guide" / "Identification Guide" has been written to assist people in the accurate identification of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 Tommi Makinen Edition (TME). This guide refers to the TME edition only, and not the standard Evolution 6 / GSR Lancer, which will be outlined in another guide. The Mitsubishi Evo 6.5 TME is seen as the last 'real' Evo, and therefore has great potential as a future classic.
Accurate identification of these cars is therefore important, as many features on this model can be easily replicated on a standard Evo 6 GSR, or Evo 5. The Lancer EVO TME generally demands a price premium above many other Evo models, and we therefore hope this guide assists you in identifying a genuine car, should you be looking to purchase one. For additional background on the Evo 6.5, Classic Register will soon be releasing an article on why the car is a great future classic chioce - click here to see Classic Register's articles in the future classic series, and the article on the Lancer TME specifically can be found by clicking here.
This guide provides a range of identification criteria for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 TME, including interior and exterior features, correct engine and chassis number identification and unique mechanical differences. Some basic statistics are outlined below for the TME Evo.
Production Numbers: 2,500 TME’s. Approximately 500 TME’s made in each colour.
Period of Manufacture: January 1999 – March 2001
This page has been written as a guide only, and should not be relied upon without seeking advice from a professional before purchasing a vehicle. This guide can always be added to or updated, and any additional information from enthusiasts would be greatly appreciated, so please contact us or login and comment at the base of this page, or share this guide with others with the links above!
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The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 TME had the following original external features, which provide a good starting point for identification of an original car:
- Different front bumper (no fog lights) and revised aprop shape for rallying aerodynamics.
- Lowered ride height (TME car was designed with tarmac stages in mind).
- Optional special decals replicating Tommi Mäkinen's rally car's colour scheme.
- TME edition sticker on back RHS of boot.
- Enkei white wheels, 17" X 7.5" (weighing 10.8kg each).
- Optional bootlid light reflectors.
- Red Brembo disc brake calipers front and rear.
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The Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6.5 TME had the following interior features. Many of these features are shared with the standard EVO 6, however, the TME edition received unique seats, Momo steering wheel and gearshift nob, as outlined below.
- Red/Black Recaro seats with rear seats to match in colour/material (Embossed T. Mäkinen logo on front seats).
- Leather Momo steering wheel
- Leather Momo gearshift knob.
- Dual airbags
- Dual tone horns
- Electric windows
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The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 TME was available in 5 official colours, for which the name and corresponding code are outlined below. Examples of the colours are provided in the attached images. Note, all Red TME cars came with stripes / TME decals, whilst these were an option on cars in the other colours.
Canal Blue (Code: D85 AC11285)
Passion Red (Code: R71 MZ101933 AC11071)
Pyrenees Black Pearl (Code: X08 MZ101902 AC11008)
Satellite Silver (Code: A69 MZ101974 AC11169)
Scotia White (Code: W83 MZ101901 AC10983)
These colour code can be found on the vehicle ID plate, which is riveted to the firewall (as highlighted in the picture).
If anyone has specific information on the number of cars produced in each colour, please comment below so we can add that information to this section.
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The engine code/number for a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO TME is stamped on the front of the engine, on the left hand side (as you face the block), around half way down the block. You will find a small flat area of the block which contains the number (see images for guidance).
For TME EVO's, the engine number will start with one of the following prefixes, which are different to the prefixes for the standard Evo 6 engine:
BB, BC, BG, BJ, BK, BL, BM, BN or BH. One of these 9 prefixes will then be followed by the cars unique engine number.
Please note - the attached image of the flat area of the block is from a standard Evo 6 GSR, having an "AP" prefix. We are seeking an Evo 6.5 image and will update this accordingly. The two letters prefixed before the number sequence determine the origin and are what matters most when identifying the engine in a TME Evo.
Unfortunately, there is no way of confirming whether the engine in the TME is in fact that cars original engine, and the best you can do is what we have above, confirming that the car has the correct type of engine that was originally fitted. Given how rare the TME Evo is (and therefore its engine), it is unlikely too many have had correct engines re-fitted if their original engines were removed.
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Chassis Number / VIN:
The correct chassis number prefix for a Lancer Evolution 6.5 TME should begin with CP9A-020, followed by the individual chassis number of the car.
Most TME cars will have chassis numbers between CP9A-0200001 and CP9A-0203425. Note that individual import markets may assign their own new compliance VIN to a car, but the original factory VIN should always be locatable, and comply with the description here to confirm the identity of the car.
The original CP9A-020 VIN number is located on the Mitsubishi chassis plate / ID plate (as pictured, below the model number), and is stamped into the drivers side firewall (as pictured). The number on the plate and firewall must of course match.
Model Number:
Both Evo 5 and 6 cars will have a model number GF - CP9A SNGF. This code confirms that the model is in fact a Lancer Evolution, in addition to the chassis number prefix described above..
As with all cars, check for tampering around the chassis number area of the firewall, such as aftermarket welds etc. Evidence of any tanmpering in this area can suggest the car is a re-birth.
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The Mutsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 Tommi Makinen Edition had the following mechanical features:
- Sharper steering / quicker steering ratio than standard Evo 6.
- Titanium turbo, quicker spool.
- Stiffer suspension.
- Front upper strut brace.
- Front ride height: 370mm (measured from the front axel center to the top of the wheel arch)
- Rear ride height: 350mm (measured from the front axel center to the top of the wheel arch)
- Brembo 17" Ventilated Discs with 4-pot aluminum Calipers on front.
- Brembo 16" Ventilated Discs with 2-pot aluminum Calipers on rear.
- Original tyres were 225/45ZR17"
- Engine type should be 4G63 (Stamped in the block above the engine number). See image attached. This should of course also be the engine tyoe listed on the chassis ID plate as shown.
- The correct transmission number on a Evo 6.5 TME is W5M51. This should appear on the chassis plate as shown, and stamped into the gearbox (we are currently seeking an image of the casting stamp in the gearbox - please send one to us if you have one).
Some images of the mechanical features of the TME Evo have been provided where possible.