The Lancer Evolution series had established Mitsubishi's rally credentials through the Group A era, winning the manufacturers' title and producing notable drives from Tommi Mäkinen. However, Group A cars faced inherent limitations against the wider engineering freedoms granted to World Rally Cars from rival teams. Ralliart developed the Lancer WRC to close this gap, retaining the familiar 1996 cc 4G63 four-cylinder engine that had powered Mitsubishi's rally cars since the 1980s while comprehensively reworking the chassis and drivetrain architecture.
The original Lancer WRC debuted at the 2001 Rallye Sanremo, based on the eighth-generation Cedia platform that underpins the road-going Lancer Evolution VII. The WRC regulations gave Ralliart freedom to make significant changes impossible under Group A rules: engine modifications included lighter internal components, a more rearward engine tilt to optimise front weight distribution, a new turbocharger, and a revised exhaust. Most significantly, both front and rear suspensions were redesigned to MacPherson strut configuration with enlarged wheel arches allowing greater suspension travel. The engine produced 300 PS at 5500 rpm and 540 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm.
A fundamental problem emerged after Tommi Mäkinen left the team at the end of 2001. The car's drivetrain required an aggressive left-foot braking approach that Mäkinen had mastered but which incoming drivers struggled to adapt to.
The Lancer Evolution WRC2, introduced at the 2002 Rally Finland, addressed the shortcomings of the original car. Significant changes included better weight distribution, a lower centre of gravity, a revised front air dam to improve radiator airflow, a new intercooler, a revised exhaust manifold, and a single-scroll turbocharger replacing the previous unit. Internal engine components including the crankshaft, flywheel, and other rotating parts were lightened. The suspension was updated for greater travel and rigidity, and transmission ratios were revised to better suit the different driving styles of Colin McRae and François Delecour.
Mitsubishi pulled out of the WRC at the end of 2002, though in 2003 the Step 2 car was used for developmental purposes at selected events. McRae achieved a sixth-place finish at the 2003 Rally New Zealand with the car.
Mitsubishi returned to the WRC in 2004 with the Lancer WRC04, featuring over 6,000 changes compared to the Step 2. The car continued with the 4G63 engine, now mated to a five-speed semi-automatic transmission and a new all-wheel-drive system co-developed with Ricardo Consulting Engineers. Front brakes were upgraded to 8-piston calipers clamping 370 mm discs. Extensive aerodynamic development was carried out at the Lola Cars wind tunnel, resulting in a new front air dam, revised wheel arches, and a distinctive rear spoiler.
The season was disrupted by persistent mechanical and electrical problems. Both cars retired on the start line of the first stage in New Zealand due to electrical failures. Mitsubishi opted out of championship events in Japan, Great Britain, Italy, France, and Australia to concentrate on development. Lead driver was former Peugeot driver Gilles Panizzi, with his brother Hervé as co-driver, alongside Gianluigi Galli, Daniel Solá, and Kristian Sohlberg.
The Lancer WRC05 received no major mechanical changes, but the car's width was increased by 30 mm to comply with revised WRC regulations. ECU and turbo wastegate updates were made to the engine, and aerodynamic alterations to the bodywork improved stability and accommodated the wider track. Steering-mounted gearshift paddles were introduced. Longer gear ratios were adopted for first, third, and fourth gears.
The car showed promise — Panizzi took third place at Monte Carlo and Håvard Tøften showed speed on gravel events, with Harri Rovanperä ultimately finishing second at the final round in Australia. However, Mitsubishi withdrew from the WRC once again after the season. Ralliart UK took over the cars and supported private and semi-works entries in 2006 and 2007. At the 2006 Rally Sweden, Daniel Carlsson claimed third place in a Ralliart UK-supported entry, battling for the position with teammate Gigi Galli, who finished fourth.
The Mitsubishi Lancer WRC programme illustrated both the potential and the frustrations of a Japanese manufacturer competing at the front of the World Rally Championship against established European teams. The car never won a manufacturers' title in its WRC-specification form, though it built on the competitive foundations laid by the Group A Lancer Evolution series. MML Sports, the successor to Ralliart UK, continued to develop the car for customer competition, producing an updated version sometimes called the WRC07 that was reportedly 0.5 seconds per kilometre faster than the factory WRC05.