Premier League footballers are not exactly known for choosing boring cars. Supercars, luxury SUVs and million-dollar exotics are practically part of the job description.
But Joško Gvardiol has decided to take a very different route.
The Manchester City defender has added one of Japan’s most legendary performance cars to his garage: a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition.
And frankly, this is far more interesting than another predictable supercar.
Gvardiol’s new machine is the special-edition Evo created to celebrate Finnish rally driver Tommi Mäkinen’s four consecutive WRC Drivers’ Championship titles with Mitsubishi from 1996 to 1999. The TME arrived around the turn of the millennium and quickly became one of the most sought-after versions of the already legendary Lancer Evolution VI.
This Wasn’t Just an Evo With Stickers
The Tommi Mäkinen Edition often nicknamed the Evo 6.5 was considerably more than a marketing exercise.
Mitsubishi sharpened the Evo VI with a series of mechanical changes aimed at making it more responsive, particularly on tarmac.
The car received a 10mm lower suspension setup, quicker steering, a front strut brace and revised suspension tuning. The turbocharger was also upgraded with a titanium-aluminium turbine, helping it spool faster and improving throttle response.
There was also a redesigned front bumper, a different exhaust system and distinctive 17-inch white Enkei wheels inspired by Mitsubishi’s rally machinery.
Inside, the rally connection continued with Recaro seats carrying Tommi Mäkinen branding and a MOMO steering wheel with red stitching.
In other words, this wasn’t simply an Evo wearing a famous driver’s name. Mitsubishi actually changed the hardware underneath it.
The Footballer Who Picked a Rally Car
What makes Gvardiol’s purchase particularly interesting is what he could have bought instead.
With the financial muscle of a Premier League star, there is certainly no shortage of modern supercars available. Yet rather than choosing the latest Ferrari, Lamborghini or McLaren, Gvardiol has apparently gone hunting for something far more analogue.
According to HJA Group, which shared the news of the purchase, Gvardiol has already been seen driving the Evo himself, rather than treating it as a garage ornament.
And that is exactly how an Evo like this is supposed to be enjoyed.
The TME was born from an era when Mitsubishi was turning rally technology into road cars, and the connection between the showroom and the stages was still painfully obvious. It has the four-wheel-drive attitude, turbocharged four-cylinder engine and chassis tuning that made the Evolution name famous.
One of Mitsubishi’s Greatest Rally-Era Road Cars
The TME remains one of the most celebrated versions of the Lancer Evolution because it arrived at the end of one of Mitsubishi’s greatest periods in the World Rally Championship.
Mäkinen’s four consecutive drivers’ titles made him a Mitsubishi icon, and the TME was essentially a road-going celebration of that dominance.
Today, finding an original example in excellent condition is becoming increasingly difficult, while the combination of genuine rally heritage, limited production and analogue driving characteristics has made the car increasingly collectible.
For Gvardiol, however, the appeal seems to be much simpler.
It isn’t about having the newest or most expensive car in the parking lot.
It’s about having one of the most iconic Japanese rally-bred machines ever built.
And honestly, seeing a Premier League star turn up in an Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition is considerably more exciting than watching another supercar convoy arrive at football training.
What do you think? would you take the Mitsubishi Evo VI Tommi Mäkinen Edition over a modern supercar if you had Gvardiol’s budget?
Let us know in the comments.
Adhe is part of the 88 Eight Box Editorial Team, covering JDM culture, motorsport, automotive technology, and industry news. The team focuses on delivering original automotive stories, reviews, and insights for enthusiasts worldwide.
