What Is It?
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
What's Special About It?
The Evolution IX, which will replace the Evo VIII this fall, is not an all-new car, it's a mechanical and aesthetic face-lift of the VIII. And it's really well done.
First of all, the car looks better. The headlights and taillights have been smoked dark and the split grille has been replaced with one large opening. The front air dam has also been reshaped with an opening that more tightly surrounds the huge front mount intercooler and two small circular air scoops.
The last of the exterior changes are new double-spoke Enkei wheels, which are 5 ounces lighter than the very lightweight rims they replace. The BBS wheels on the MR are unchanged.
Mitsubishi also squeezed another 10 horsepower and 3 pound-feet of torque from the Evo's 2.0-liter double-overhead-cam four-cylinder. Total output is up to 286 hp at 6,500 rpm and 289 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm.
Changes to the engine include a larger turbo, which reduces lag by 5 percent, and MIVEC, or Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and lift Electronic control, which has improved the midrange torque of the 4G63 engine.
To make use of that flatter torque curve, the five-speed in the RS and straight IX has been given tighter ratios. The six-speed in the MR is unchanged, as are the suspension, brakes and all-wheel-drive system on all three models.
Inside Evoheads will notice new dark spokes on the Momo steering wheel, seats covered in suedelike Alcantara and leather; and the IX and MR, but not the RS, get aluminum pedals and a carbon-fiber style instrument panel.
We're told the revised 2006 Evo IX should cost $500 more than the VIII across the board.
What's Edmunds' Take?
At the IX's unveiling, Rick Gilligan, Mitsubishi's CEO, said, "The Evo proves that we can compete with the world's best when it comes to performance." And he's right, it does. The Evo VIII was already the greatest performance car buy on the market. The IX will continue that legacy. Make ours a black MR. — Scott Oldham
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
What's Special About It?
The Evolution IX, which will replace the Evo VIII this fall, is not an all-new car, it's a mechanical and aesthetic face-lift of the VIII. And it's really well done.
First of all, the car looks better. The headlights and taillights have been smoked dark and the split grille has been replaced with one large opening. The front air dam has also been reshaped with an opening that more tightly surrounds the huge front mount intercooler and two small circular air scoops.
The last of the exterior changes are new double-spoke Enkei wheels, which are 5 ounces lighter than the very lightweight rims they replace. The BBS wheels on the MR are unchanged.
Mitsubishi also squeezed another 10 horsepower and 3 pound-feet of torque from the Evo's 2.0-liter double-overhead-cam four-cylinder. Total output is up to 286 hp at 6,500 rpm and 289 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm.
Changes to the engine include a larger turbo, which reduces lag by 5 percent, and MIVEC, or Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and lift Electronic control, which has improved the midrange torque of the 4G63 engine.
To make use of that flatter torque curve, the five-speed in the RS and straight IX has been given tighter ratios. The six-speed in the MR is unchanged, as are the suspension, brakes and all-wheel-drive system on all three models.
Inside Evoheads will notice new dark spokes on the Momo steering wheel, seats covered in suedelike Alcantara and leather; and the IX and MR, but not the RS, get aluminum pedals and a carbon-fiber style instrument panel.
We're told the revised 2006 Evo IX should cost $500 more than the VIII across the board.
What's Edmunds' Take?
At the IX's unveiling, Rick Gilligan, Mitsubishi's CEO, said, "The Evo proves that we can compete with the world's best when it comes to performance." And he's right, it does. The Evo VIII was already the greatest performance car buy on the market. The IX will continue that legacy. Make ours a black MR. — Scott Oldham
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