MITSUBISHI AIRTREK TURBO R: THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE CROSSOVER SUV WITH LANCER EVOLUTION ENGINE

If we peel back the years to the late 1990s, the term "crossover" was an extremely new thing, and many average Joes had never even heard of it. At the time, SUVs were just that: SUVs. While the segment had gained quite a bit of traction thanks largely to the release of the Ford Explorer in 1991, these SUVs were still very much pickup truck-based vehicles with a smattering of luxury meant to offer just enough creature comfort to shuttle the entire family around.

However, just a couple of years later, the crossover SUV began to rise in popularity. All of a sudden. SUV-hopefuls who weren't exactly thrilled with how truck-like traditional SUVs could buy a vehicle with SUV-levels of space, but with a car-like ride. In short, this was the best of both worlds. Mitsubishi had just released their Airtrek, also known as the Outlander in the States. It was a reasonably popular model over here, but the Colonies didn't get the Airtrek/Outlander's hottest version: the Airtrek Turbo R. The best part about this high-octane crossover was its Lancer Evolution-bred engine.

Hot Performance, Cool Looks

Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo R Key Points

• Introduced in 2002
• Features a four-cylinder engine lifted directly from the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
• Never sold in the US
• Axed following the 2005 model year

With the release of the Outlander/Airtrek in 2001 in Japan and 2003 in the US, Mitsubishi found themselves near the front of the budding crossover SUV's mainstream popularity. The Outlander – then a smaller crossover SUV resembling something like a Subaru Outback in body shape – was loosely related to Mitsubishi models like the Lancer, RVR, and the Grandis. It was a moderate success in the US, outselling a couple of its competitors by a modest margin.

However, while the US only received the run-of-the-mill Outlander, select markets around the world got a version injected with a healthy dose of World Rally Championship blood. A year after the Airtrek's 2001 debut, Mitsubishi unveiled the Airtrek Turbo R, the hottest iteration of the family crossover. With an extremely large helping of Mitsubishi Ralliart engineering, the Airtrek Turbo R was more than just a mid-sized crossover with a spicy motor.

When the Airtrek Turbo R went on sale in 2002, it was every bit the performance crossover SUV that someone would want. But, Mitsubishi needed to consider its main target audience. In other words, Mitsu wanted to inject enough everyday practicality into the Turbo R in order to attract those who did, in fact, want a powerful car. The same customer would ideally be looking for a crossover SUV because they also need the extra space offered by the segment.

After all, putting three kids, a wife, and a bunch of camping gear in the back of a Subaru Impreza WRX STI just isn't going to work, so the Airtrek Turbo R still needed to be an SUV first and foremost.

Detailed Specs & Features

Living underneath the Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo R's scooped hood was an engine with quite a lot of clout to its name. The motor's codename, 4G63T, is the very same mill featured in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution for a whopping 25 years, from 1992 to 2007. It belonged to Mitsubishi's Sirius engine family, a grouping of powerplants that got its initial start in 1980, and is still produced today in select markets, such as China. However, the specific version of the 4G63T found within the Airtrek Turbo R was detuned, not boasting the same level of power found in the Evo.

The rest of the Airtrek Turbo R was set up for performance, as well. Its transmission was a five-speed automatic, and this gearbox constituted the sole option for the model. A Tiptronic setting was present, allowing drivers to shift through gears manually using the gear selector or a pair of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The Airtrek Turbo R also boasted a standard all-wheel-drive system shared with the Lancer Evolution. The system took advantage of a pair of open differentials, one for each axle.

However, a center differential sported a viscous coupling mechanism, allowing power distribution to be locked in between the model's front and rear drive axles. This translates into better grip in inclement road conditions. In addition, the Airtrek Turbo R's suspension was tuned and stiffened for better response and handling and its brakes were upgraded, as well.

Below, we'll break down the Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo R's detailed engine and performance specs:

*Specs courtesy of OntecoJP.com

Interior Features

With all the performance upgrades, the Mitsubishi Aitrek Turbo R still needed to remember that it was a family vehicle at its heart. Inside its cabin, the Airtrek Turbo R sported few performance upgrades, a stark contrast to its exterior and mechanical states. The usual suspects, like air conditioning, electric windows, and the period-correct CD player, were seen, along with fold-flat rear seats. With those rear seats folded down, the Airtrek Turbo R managed a maximum cargo capacity of 37.05 cubic feet.

You Can Have One In The States If You're Of The Patient Sort

Those of you in-the-know may be onto what we're hinting at. Because the Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo R was released in 2002, the model will be eligible for legal import into the US in just two years. This is due to the American 25-Year Rule, a law governing automobile imports. In essence, the law is self-explanatory, as virtually all non-USDM vehicles are unable to be legally imported until they reach a minimum of 25 years of age from its manufacture date.

When it comes to the '02 Airtrek Turbo R, the first batches will be able to be imported sometime in 2027, but it's not as simple as just phoning a Japanese dealership, saying "I'd like to buy that Airtrek Turbo R", and expecting it to show up on your proverbial doorstep a few days later. There are quite a few fees to be paid before your imported piece of Mitsubishi history can be yours. We'll list out some of the common costs associated with automobile imports below:

• Vehicle Price: $6,000 (Based on current average pricing seen on the Japanese market)
• Import Duty: $150.00
• Merchandise Processing Fee: $207.84
• Harbor Maintenance Fee: Varies by port, typically around $50
• State Sales Tax
• Shipping: Typically ranges from $1k–$2k

Of course, nothing can stand in the way if you really want something, but those aforementioned fees need to be accounted for when you're considering importing a Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo R, or any car, for that matter.

Sources:OntecoJP.com, WestCoastShipping.com, Mitsubishi, PistonHeads.com

2025-07-28T01:39:47Z