Ask any EVO fan, and they will tell you that ‘Nine’ was a very special number. The EVO IX was the last ‘proper’ EVO in the eyes of purists, the last of the line that spawned multiple rally championship winners and an entire cult.
South African’s got their first taste of the EVO lineage in 2005, with the EVO VIII, followed by the IX in 2006. And while the rest of the world got the high-tech X in 2007, it was only in 2012 did it arrive in SA, by then, a new generation of all-wheel drive performance cars like the RS3, A45 and Golf R thrashed it into oblivion.
But what made the IX special was the fact that it was the last EVO to use the legendary 4G63 motor. This motor debuted in the late 80s, and proved absolutely bulletproof – even when modified significantly. The 2.0-litre turbocharged 4G63 was a gluten for power and along with the B18C5, 2JZ and RB26; earned the title of one of the best motors ever built.
In the IX though, it gained MIVEC and a reprofiled twin scroll turbocharger, which saw power reach 214kw. However, due to the poor grade of fuel in South Africa, our EVO’s had to be detuned and only outputted 206kw and 355nm – which was still up from the VIII’s 195kw output. Thanks to four-wheel drive and a slick 6-speed close-ratio transmission that replaced the VIII's 5-speed, IX rocketed from 0-100kph in 5.6 seconds, and completed the ¼ mile in mid 13s.
Mitsubishi also used an aluminium roof and door-intrusion bars in the IX to keep its curb weight down to a respectable 1.4 tons. Mitsubishi made sure IX retained the EVO's legendary handling by spot-welding the lighter body in 200 extra places to keep it tight, inverting the MacPherson strut front suspension to reduce unsprung weight and lowering the rear ride height with new springs.
Most importantly, they didn't fiddle with the adjustable Active Centre Differential and Super Active Yaw Control systems. Computer-controlled, they distributed torque fore-aft and side-to-side around the constant four-wheel-drive system. As with any proper performance car, braking was taken care off by massive Brembo brakes.
Other huge names that featured on the XI included Recaro (seats), Enkei (wheels) and Momo (steering wheel). It was easy to spot too, thanks to its massive wing, revised rear diffuser, and oval ducts that fed the monstrous front-mounted intercooler.
Overseas variants were available in a variety of different tunes, with the most powerful being the limited-edition MR FQ-360, which was powered by a 270kw 4G63 2.0T – once again highlighting how reliably tuneable these motors were – something Subaru’s WRX STI could not match.
R399 900 was what the IX cost in 2006. And due to the fact that apparently only 50 were brought into South Africa, these rally icons are no doubt genuine collectables, with owner’s asking prices that far exceed its original sticker price, with good reason too! If the drive matters to you more than the destination, then few cars will rival the EVO IX’s appeal – and ability.
Also worth a look: the Mitsubishi Triton and the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Mitsubishi's Value Punch in the .
FAQ
Q: What does the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX cost in South Africa?
You're looking at around R280,000 to R420,000 for a decent EVO IX in South Africa, depending on condition, mileage, and how many previous owners tried their hand at being weekend mechanics.
Q: Is the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX worth buying in 2024?
Absolutely, if you can find one that hasn't been thrashed to death, the EVO IX remains one of the best performance bargains in SA with its bulletproof 4G63 engine and legendary all-wheel drive system.
Q: What are the common problems with the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX?
The main issues are usually abuse-related rather than design flaws, so watch out for poorly executed modifications, clutch wear from launch abuse, and transfer case problems from hard driving on poor surfaces.
Q: How much power does the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX make?
The SA-spec EVO IX produces 206kW and 355Nm thanks to our inferior fuel quality requiring a slight detune from the international 214kW specification.
Q: Should I buy a modified or stock Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX?
Stock is always better unless you know exactly who did the modifications and why, because the 4G63 engine responds brilliantly to tuning but cowboys can turn a legend into a paperweight.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, buy the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX if you can find a good one. The best performance car under R400,000 in SA is still the EVO IX, thanks to its legendary 4G63 engine, brilliant all-wheel drive system, and that raw, unfiltered driving experience that modern cars just can't match. You'll need between R280,000 and R420,000 for a decent example, but make sure you get a proper inspection because these cars attract the kind of owners who think loud exhausts equal more power. Find one with service history, reasonable modifications, and an owner who actually understands what they have, and you'll own a piece of automotive history that'll still embarrass much newer machinery.
