The Karin Sultan RS: GTA 5‘s Rally Ikon Based on the Legendary Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Without question, the car that best encapsulates the fiery spirit and rally-bred performance of the iconic Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution in GTA 5 is the Karin Sultan RS. This thrilling four door sports sedan takes clear inspiration from the Evo‘s distinctive design and emphasis on domination-ready handling. For any gaming fan looking to experience their dream virtual ride in Los Santos, the Sultan RS is the ultimate representation of this beloved Japanese turbo icon.
Recapturing the Magic of Mitsubishi‘s Road Rally Legend
Mitsubishi‘s Lancer Evolution series holds an esteemed reputation in tuner circles worldwide. It‘s given rise to some of the most impressive project cars and time attack track legends. The Evo‘s signature mix of rally car agility and brute turbocharged force has made it a prime choice for enthusiasts seeking total driving control and excitement.
"With ten distinct generations spanning over two decades, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution cultivated one of the most fanatical followings the automotive world has ever seen."
The Karin Sultan RS looks to recapture the pure exhilaration people have modding, racing, and even daily driving an Evo. And in the vast open world of Los Santos and Blaine County, having a sports sedan that can confidently rocket down winding canyon roads or blaze across sandy beaches makes for an exceptional game experience.
{% include image.html url="images/gta-5-karin-sultan-rs.jpg" description="The Karin Sultan RS bringing aggressive Evo style to Los Santos streets" width=500 %}
Let‘s explore all the details on GTA 5‘s incredible Evo stand-in and why it stands in a league of its own.
The Sultan RS Evolves a New Vision for This Rally Legend
Right from first glance, the Sultan RS leaves no question as to the source of its inspiration. The overall silhouette and profile stays faithful to the real life Lancer Evolution‘s signature four door layout. But beyond this, a host of styling cues give away its clear admiration of Mitsubishi‘s road rally icon:
- Distinct box flares on bulging front and rear fenders
- Angular front fascia with integrated corner vents
- C-shaped LED taillight cluster
- Beefy rear wing attached high on tapered trunk line
Developers Rockstar North expertly fused proper homage elements from the Evolution series while taking certain creative freedoms. This allows the Sultan RS to exist as GTA‘s own original interpretation.
As a passionate gamer and modder myself, I adore the custom widebody extras brought for added aggression. The Sultan RS becomes a menacing presence on streets when adorned with its Liberty Walk or Rocket Bunny kit options.
{% include image.html url="images/gta-5-sultan-rs-widebody.jpg" description="Menacing widebody Sultan RS kit customized for the streets of Los Santos" width=450 %}
It‘s this delicate balance of faithfulness and new vision that make the Sultan RS a special unicorn fans have feverishly sought after.
Rally Refinement Underneath the Skin
Mitsubishi built its sterling reputation largely on the Lancer Evolution‘s proficiency in balancing power and control. So in looking to translate this vehicle‘s poise and precision into the gaming world, Rockstar had to nail its performance character.
The Sultan RS deploys a turbocharged inline-4 cylinder engine churning out blistering acceleration while an advanced all-wheel drive system maintains composure when exploiting limits. You have immense traction when exiting corners in a fury or straight line grip blazing down the Los Santos Freeway.
Handling leans more towards a smooth predictable feel compared to the Futo GTX which demands a bit more focus. This allows you to cherry pick racing lines with confidence. Small lift-off adjustments mid-turn elicit controlled oversteer as you carve canyon roads with minimal drama.
"Pushing the Sultan RS to its boundaries unearths shades of Mitsubishi‘s exceptional engineering that catalyzed a cult-like following for Evos."
I‘m blown away by how distinct the Sultan RS drives compared to other sports coupes in GTA 5 when you probe into its responses. There are clear echoes of the Evo‘s acclaimed adjustability bred from rally stage dominance.
By The Numbers: Sultan RS Performance Stats
Let‘s break down some key Sultan RS specs and figures to showcase where it lands versus GTA 5‘s range of thrilling performance vehicles:
| Spec | Sultan RS | Comet SR | Calico GTF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $795K | $1.5M | $1.7M |
| Top Speed | 127 mph | 132 mph | 136 mph |
| 0-60 MPH | 4.8 seconds | 3.5 sec | 3.1 sec |
| Power (BHP) | 565 | 597 | 710 |
| Handling (GTA Wiki) | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
I absolutely adore seeing the balance of performance numbers here that speak to the Evo‘s brilliance. The combination of AWD putting down 565 horses neatly translates to the Sultan RS possessing incredible grip off the line while still being nimble through complex corners.
You have enough juice to shame supercars on highway rolls while retaining the tossability to set blistering lap records on technical tracks like Cutting Coroners. This superb handling and acceleration mix cements why the Sultan RS resonates so strongly as a virtual recreation of Mitsubishi‘s legendary all-purpose sports sedan.
Wrap Up
Mitsubishi may have stopped producing new Lancer Evos back in 2015. But the Karin Sultan RS ensures their legacy and magical essence lives on virtually through Los Santos‘ winding roads and adrenaline pumping escapades.
Boasting pure aggression, immense power potential via tuning, and the confidence to tackle any environment, the Sultan RS evolves into an homage worthy of being called GTA 5‘s definitive Evo.
