Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 9

In 1992, the original Evo made a cautious debut, more than a decade later, the new Evolution IX (Evo 9) has hit the domestic market in Japan, creating the next chapter in the history of Mitsubishi’s almost-mythical hero car.

Since 2005, Mitsubishi has brought in the Lancer Evolutions IX (9) as a standard model. The 2.0 Litre MIVEC Turbocharged DOHC with VVT Engine that sits in the Evo 9 produces Japan’s maximum allowed limit of 209kw and 355Nm of torque. In the UK the evolution 9 is available in a few different flavours (apart from the stock one) such as the Evo 9 FQ 320 and FQ 340 both doing with 0 to 100 in 4.3 seconds – yes 4.3 seconds, faster than a BMW M3 and a Porsche 911. The Evo 9 FQ 280 (the number representing the horsepower) is the one which is available in Australia and that does 0-100 in 5.7 seconds.
Mitsubishi’s ninth Lancer Evolution takes the story to a new place, not so much in terms of appearance, but certainly performance.

As you can see from the photos, it doesn’t appear as though the new Evolution’s sheet metal has been altered greatly, though the die-hard Evo aficionados are sure to pick up on some the nuances here and there, such as the small fog lights up front and the disappearance of Olivier Boulay’s bold triangle in the grille.

One of the most obvious visual changes to the giant-killing turbocharged small car is at the rear, where a race car inspired diffuser adds contrast to the colour scheme (unless you buy a black one), while at the same time reducing the turbulence in the airflow underneath the car for better high speed stability.

Mitsubishi made the subtle changes to the exterior of the car to better reflect the current WRC Rally car, with the abovementioned fog lights located either side of the front-mount intercooler forming part of the new front bumper section.

This front end may may look similar to the Evo VIII, but in fact is all new and includes a number of changes to improve performance.

The lower air dam’s opening has been increased to “raise engine cooling efficiency” by providing the intercooler with greater volumes of air, and in Japan you can even specify your brand-spanking Evo IX with an air dam extension and rear wing Gurney flap that help to improve the Mitsubishi’s aerodynamics.

A little disappointing given that with a little tweaking (more boost or bigger turbo) the Mitsubishi Evolution IX can produce so much more power. Nonetheless, the Evo 9 available in Australia is still a serious street and rally racing machine. The Evo comes in as the second best sports car in Australia sitting after the Mazda RX-8 because although it is faster than the RX-8 (0-100 in 6.2 for the RX-8) it is still.. essentially.. a lancer.
New-look alloy wheels also form part of the Evo IX’s exterior upgrade, and inside the car things have been tizzied up as well, but like the exterior the alterations are not exactly what you’d call dramatic and most people probably won’t care, with the changes limited to the dashboard finish and the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals, while better acoustic damping works its magic unseen.

Having driven an Evo VI TME and an Evo VIII, it must be said that their flamboyant appearances certainly do garner a bit of attention on the road, but of far more import to most enthusiastic drivers as well as for me is the way in which these turbocharged cars go about their business.

And in 2005, we can expect even more fireworks.

Perhaps the biggest new feature to the Evolution’s 1997cc powerplant is the adoption of variable valve timing on the intake system, or MIVEC as the Japanese car maker calls it (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system).

The MIVEC system helps the 16-valve 4G63 engine liberate more power at higher revs and more torque at lower revs, with peak torque of 400Nm @ 3000rpm and maximum power of 206kW (280hp) @ 6500rpm.

Mitsubishi also made changes to the exhaust-gas driven turbocharger “that result in higher torque and produce better response for improved engine performance across its full rev range” to use Mitsubishi’s own words.

Such increased engine performance puts the 0-100km/h sprint time at 5.9 seconds according to the Japanese figures, with top speed at just over 230km/h.

In Japan, the Evolution IX is offered in three trim levels, with the GSR benefiting from all of Mitsubishi’s rally-derived gadgets for the ultimate road-going ride, giving drivers grip and handling levels that would make Lamborghini Gallardo owners take notice.

The GSR gets ACD (Active Center Differential), Super AYC (Active Yaw Control), customised ABS (Sport ABS braking) and an electronically controlled all-wheel control component system, not to mention a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Next up is the RS, the motorsport model that was created to cater for the rally motorsport market, which incorporates a lighter body, a new titanium-magnesium turbocharger compressor wheel (instead of aluminium alloy), a 5-speed close ratio gearbox plus ACD and a mechanical rear LSD all-wheel control. It tips the scales at just 1320kg, lighter than the GSR and GT, weighing 1410kg and 1390kg respectively.

The third model is the GT, a new model for the Evolution series, which features the best of the GSR and RS models, which “brings together RS’s turbocharger and drivetrain specification and GSR’s comfort-bias body with its enhanced sound deadening,” according to Mitsubishi. As a result of the lighter turbo compressor wheel, the RS and GT models make 407Nm @ 3000rpm, up 7Nm on the GSR model.

All Mitsubishi Evolution IX models feature new rear springs that reduce the vehicle’s height somewhat, a move that the Japanese automaker says improves rear end stability in the RS and GT models and for the GSR enables the Super AYC to work a little more effectively at high cornering speeds.

The aluminium roof panel first seen on the Evolution VIII MR model has been fitted to all models for 2005, and other features include freshly tuned Bilstein shockers in addition to big Brembo brakes on the on GSR and GT models.

Standard features on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9:

6 Speaker Stereo
ABS (Antilock Brakes)
Adjustable Steering Col. – Tilt only
Air Cond. – Climate Control
Airbags – Driver & Passenger (Dual)
Alarm
Aluminium – Bonnet
Aluminium Roof Panel
Body Colour – Bumpers
Body Colour – Door Handles
Body Colour – Exterior Mirrors Partial
Body Kit – Lower (skirts F & R Aprons)
Calipers – Front 4 Spot
Calipers – Painted Front
Calipers – Painted Rear
Calipers – Rear 2 Spot
Carbon Fibre – Dashboard
Carbon Fibre – Rear Spoiler
CD Stacker – 6 disc In Dash/Cabin
Central Locking – Remote/Keyless
Centre Differential – Active
Chrome Exhaust Tip
Clock – Digital
Control – Active Yaw
Control – Automatic Stability
Cup Holders – 1st Row
Data Dots – Part Identifiers
Differential Rear – Active/Electronic
Disc Brakes Front Ventilated
Disc Brakes Rear Ventilated
EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution)
Engine Immobiliser
Fog Lamps – Rear
Front Stabiliser
Headlamps – Blacked Out Surrounds
Headlamps – Clear Lenses
Headrests – Integrated 2nd Row
Intercooler with Water Sprayer
Intermittent Wipers – Variable
Leather Gear Knob
Leather Hand Brake Lever
Leather Seats – Two Tone
Leather Steering Wheel
Limited Slip Diffs – Front & Rear
Map/Reading Lamps – for 1st Row
Metallic Finish Centre Console
Metallic Finish Switch Panel
Oil Cooler – Engine
Pedals – Sports
Power Door Mirrors
Power Steering
Power Windows – Front & Rear
Remote Boot/Hatch Release
Remote Fuel Lid Release
Seatbelt – Load Limiters 1st Row (Front)
Seatbelt – Pretensioners 1st Row (Front)
Seatbelts – Lap/Sash for 5 seats
Spoiler – Rear High Rise
Sports Instruments
Sports Seats – 1st Row (Front)
Sports Steering Wheel
Strut Brace – Front
Sunvisor – Vanity Mirror for Driver
Sunvisor – Vanity Mirror for Passenger
Suspension – Sports
Tacho
Tail Lamps – Blacked Out Surrounds
Tail Lamps – Clear
Tracking System
Trim – Alcantara (Incl. Seats & Inserts)
Vented – Bonnet