2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX review
15 May, 2008
19 Comments 
It’s still amazing to see just how far this car has come. Worlds apart from the doughy, tinny, average Lancer from which it takes its basis, the Evo easily justifies its 170% premium over the parent car. And the thing is it’s 170% better - no questions asked.
But the real beauty is that it loses none of the practicality. The boot is still huge, the rear seat will actually house humans, and the front seats are just bliss. Plus, the visibility puts just about every other sports car to shame. It’s hard to imagine an easier car to see out of in all directions.
But where it differs dramatically is underneath. To house the all-wheel-drive system, the front and rear quarter panels have been replaced with flared versions. Three differentials supply power to all four wheels, and the SAYC (Super Active Yaw Control) system combines sensors and grip control to allow for mind-bending cornering. And this where the Evo IX is probably the most impressive.
Slewing into a corner, you’ll notice that the steering is super reactive. The slightest movement off centre, and your lateral inclination is apparent. The feel is probably a bit dumbed down, but there’s enough torque-steer and kickback to let you know what’s happening underneath, which along with slight tramlining on poor surfaces, means the feedback you do get is related to your speed anyway.
We’ve found that out of the three settings - Tarmac, Gravel, and Snow - for the Active Centre Differential (ACD), that Gravel is the best for wringing as much speed as possible out of the Evo. Tarmac is well balanced, and Snow tends to understeer too much. But Gravel sends most of the power to the rear, meaning when you think you’ve run out of grip, you haven’t.
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(6 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)
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May 15th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
296kw!!!
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May 15th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Great car & should sell well. (second attempt at posting) !
Cheers
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May 15th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Thanks RoFlmaTiC. Typo.
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May 15th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
I would love one, but even the older models hold their value way too well for my wallet. Oh well, the Impreza will have to do…
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May 15th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Sounds like you chaps had a bit of fun. Love these but personnally would never buy one as there is too much association with the ‘boys’. Pity since the performance is awsome.
What was the best evo to date? what it the Evo7??
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May 15th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
wow truely awsome car by. prety much the uiltimate hoon mobile now that the impreza/rex is a little more conservative (i dont meen in terms of performance)
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May 15th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I guarantee its a lot quicker than 5.5 secs. It’s just a question of shifting ratios at the precise time. Not too late, not too early.
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May 15th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
i heard its in teh vicinity of 4.9-5.0 0-100?
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May 16th, 2008 at 12:14 am
I’d prefer the new Evo on looks, but this is still a beast
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May 16th, 2008 at 1:45 am
4.9 sounds right
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May 16th, 2008 at 7:07 am
It looks stunning in white!
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May 16th, 2008 at 9:32 am
I would have thought faster than 5.5 -100 too,but your right on the interior,very average.
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May 16th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Do you fella @ caradvice know when the offical launch of the EVO X is commin out?
Cause if its soon, its time to sell the 06 WRXY for it!
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May 16th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I think in Europe theve got 254kw Evos there clocking higher 0-100’s www.evo.co.uk did a test against Carrera GT 997 Turbo, Carrera GT managed 3.8 Evo 4.3 0-60mphs
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May 16th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
No Name ..”what was the best evo…?”
I’m fortunate enough to have driven the 6.5 TME, the 8 and the 9 and all are brilliant! The TMA had a few modifications and was stunningly fast, easily in the 4 second club and as the author notes “more than your senses can handle in one go..” is exactly the experience… sensory overload is another way to put it, focusing up the road as far as I could while everything else seemed to blur. It was more hard edged than the 8 and 9, easily provoked into tail out four wheel drifts when on boost,yet with lag to test your patience when off it.
The 8 and 9 are truly Jekyll and Hyde vehicles being much more refined, superbly fast and with limits beyond most people’s (mine included). And yet if you’re driving to conserve your points and keep your licence they will do that easily and comfortably, being docile and tractable and with no ill manners to speak of. The worst of it would be the toning up your left leg receives through a firm and responsive clutch pedal.
Which is better? Not a fair comparison at all with the TME being modified, but I could easily live with and drive a 9 everyday, but I’d be waiting anxiously for Sunday’s to let loose in the 6.5 TME…
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May 16th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
It doesnt really matter which evo you get as long as it has the AYC (active Yaw Control). Completely takes the understeer out of AWD. Kinda like Sti’s when they put the variable centre diff in. Like the others though I found the interiors below standard and the indicators on theleft was a big bug-bear for a japanese car. Note to prospective buyers of new or used - Don’t use anything less than 98RON fuel or you will regret it.
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May 16th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Like most turbo cars you shouldnt be taking anything less than 98… I remember a test was run and found that ratings dont actual match the real octane level in the petrols and noticed one being off by like 4 points 98 was actually 94.
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May 16th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
5.5 sec is about right for the watered down Australian version. For the real deal you need to drive a JDM spec Evo IX. A better drive than the latest X !
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May 17th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Re the Evo X and its imminent arrival. I spoke to a Mitsu dealer today and apparently the Oz delivery of the Evo X has been pushed back to July now!
There appears to be far too much demand world wide and the tiny market here in Aus loses out (again):-(
Also means that with the new LCT, it will cost even more.
I hope it lives up to the hype. Certainly looks better than the STi, although I am still a bit miffed that the manual is only 5 speed.
I really don’t think I could justify the purchase of an STi before taking the Evo for a spin. Having said that though, I have seen a STi Spec R for 62.5K drive away (slightly used for test drives) and that indicates there might be some flex in the price for a new STi
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