Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III (3) GSR

Brand: Ignition Models
Material: Resin
Type: Sealed
Model: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III (3) GSR 1994
Limited Edition: No
Release RRP: £269.99

Straight out of the box..

This was my first ever model from Ignition Models to enter my collection, these models are made in Japan and nearly always are based on JDM cars. The Ignition model comes in a plain cardboard outer with a pop-out carry handle, and inside is a clear windowed sleeve housing the carboard inner and plastic plinth with supports, the plinth is finished in carbon effect with a small, engraved plaque with the car’s emblem on it. The car is screwed to the base.

In detail the exterior.

As I didn’t acquire this model new, its an older model with a few variants available as per Ignition Models modus operandi they like to offer models in various colour, wheels and modification combos, This one comes in yellow with black Enkei wheels.

The front of the Lancer Evo has been beautifully done by Ignition models, the mesh work is excellent with no solid mesh being used, instead some really nice photo etched parts which show off the Intercooler. The bumper is very aggressive and marks the beginnings of the Lancer’s styling through to the Evo 9. Headlamp detail shows all the detail captured from the real car.

The Evolution III’s bonnet features vents, which the center ones have carbon detailing. The bonnet has the ‘bulge’ on which the aforementioned vents sit in.

The Lancer’s side profile is that of a standard 4 door car, but the extended front bumpers, Enkei wheels and rear spoiler tell a different story, that of a car that is ready to to battle on the streets or racetrack! This model has some nice touches for a sealed resin. One such area for me is the windows, normally windows on models from Otto-Mobile or more so GT-spirt have very flimsy windows. This is not so for the Ignition Models version, the windows are much better fitted, stronger and more realistic. The lower side skirt has the wording ‘Evolution III’ recessed into the moulding, the rear is finished nicely with the rear wing.

Moving on to the back of the model the aggressiveness re-appears, with the huge bi-level spoiler which again is a masterpiece of moulding, simulated are the many pieces that make up the rear wing, the lower section of the wing that extends over the boot is finished with a nicely fitted brake light, the upper level spoiler is a 3 legged affair with the middle leg even showing the fixings underneath.

The rear light clusters are excellent and the drivers side light even has the boot lock detail in the lens, the center moulding joins the two lights and houses the number plate, the rear bumper and lip extension along with the exhaust tips finish off the rear nicely. The Lightweight brand of Enkei wheels are a very dark metallic and are branded with Enkei & Ralliart graphics, the wheel nuts are painted an anodised blue and very well detailed, behind the wheel sits the Brembo brake callipers and slotted rotors, sadly my calliper has dropped on this model and requires a fix.

In detail the interior space.

The interiors of 90’s JDM cars weren’t special, in fact a bit boring so the model does recreate it easily, however being a Ignition model, they added some deeper Recaro bucket seats with Sabelt 4 point harnesses in red, which adds a needed touch to the interior, overall a nicely done interior.

Verdict?

So if you’ve followed me on socials or read my articles you’ll know I have a love for Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution models, so having this one in my collection was a no brainer and Ignition models have done the Lancer Evo 3 proud, with great attention to detail and a superb paint finish make this a hit with me. These IG models sit really nice by ways of stance its perfect, not to low, not too high and the rake is perfect, which means they display really well. The only thing that frustrates me is how hard these models are to get outside Japan and when new stock is depleted the price rises quickly, making them a hard choice purchase. Alternatives are out there now, Otto-Mobile for instance do an Lancer Evolution 3 GSR in yellow, which for now in 2022 should be easy to get for around the £100 mark, and there is also One Model versions of the Evo III, but they are probably as hard as the Ignition version to get.