Road Test: Mitsubishi Evolution IX

By Feann Torr - 29/June/06

Having driven two Mitsubishi Evolution cars before this one, I must say that I absolutely loved them. Based on the humble Mitsubishi Lancer, their short footprint and 4WD nature made them real drivers cars, and how about the way the torque ungracefully slams into action when the twin scroll turbocharger spins up? As anyone whose driven one will know, it's an utterly intoxicating mixture.

Indeed, they are highly strung sports sedans that have forgone a lot of creature comforts for sheer speed and incredible levels of cornering grip. Cult cars, some call them, built for the enthusiast, and not really targetted at the mainstream.

If you were looking at buying an Evo, you could forget a decent stereo, climate control or reverse parking sensors - you'd be lucky to get five seats. These things got in the way of four-wheel power sliding and break-neck acceleration, or hampered aerodynamics, or made it too heavy.

This car is about tenths of seconds on the race track and heart-in-mouth moments on the road.

Instead the extras list reads like a racing car, including things like a reinforced body, super-light alloy wheels, Brembo racing brakes and an engine that would get so hot you could pop the bonnet and witness the exhaust headers glowing red-hot. Though it may look a little plastic-fantastic to some drivers, make no mistake - the Evo is one of the world's quickest cars through a corner.

But wouldn't you know it, Mitsubishi has done the unthinkable. They've made the new Evo IX more cost effective, fetching $56,789 in Australia to compete directly with the WRX STI, and the banzai four-banger has better road manners too, making it a lot easier to live with on a daily basis. Even the cabin has been upgraded to offer a modicum of comfort. Should the Evo die-hards and long time fans be worried; has Mitsubishi's hero car lost it's "go hard or go home" attitude?

There's only one way to find out, and I'm happy to report that such a method involves fanging the thing into the ground - come rain, hail or shine. Check it out:

Make: Mitsubishi
Model: Evolution IX
Price: $56,789
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Engine: 2.0-litre, inline 4-cylinder turbo, petrol
Seats: 5
Safety: 2 airbags (driver and passenger airbags), ABS, EBD, S-AYC