The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX to give its full name is the latest model in the epic Evo saga, to be replaced by a whole new Evo X that will be based on a redesigned new Lancer platform. That should make its way to showrooms by mid 2007 and it also means that there's not a whole lot of new with the IX.

There are new bumpers, with the front featuring nostril intakes and as far as most people on the road are concerned, that's about all the change it has over the VIII MR. Furthermore its always hard to determine the exact kit on an Evo, it being a grey import and sourced from various locations.

One thing you can be sure of is the first major change to the ageless 4G63 turbocharged engine which, for the IX, has received the MIVEC treatment for the cylinder head. In the Evo application though, MIVEC only controls valve timing and not lift. Not a worry as the turbo unit has also been uprated, with an increased compressor cover diffuser diameter on the same twin scroll design to further improve boost response.

Response is the key word as power is still capped at the unofficial Japanese 280hp limit: torque does rise to 400 Nm. This is of course purely academic as we all know how tune-able the Evo is, within limits of course – very high limits. After all, the Evo is the car that redefined road car performance limits. The traction from the electronically governed four-wheel drive system is surreal to say the least.

Its driving experience is edgy, raw, and simply brutal to the point that the only civilised aspect of the car is that it has four doors and a decent boot. Word that the Evo has been going soft, in line with the corporate direction for the next generations of Evos has so far been unwarranted. This is still hardcore.

(The rest of the article can be found in Hypertune Vol. 45)

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