Cars for Sale Ireland Blog

Mitusbishi’s Lancer Evo IX once again sets out to beat its nemesis of the last ten years – the Subaru Impreza. With each new model the Mitsubishi bring out the Evo gets faster and faster. The £29,999 Evo IX FQ320 is the mid range model packing 326bhp. The 305bhp FQ300 sits below at £27,999 and the FQ240 with 345bhp is available for an additional £3,000 at £32,999.

The substantial change with the Evo IX is the 4G63 engine which now benefits from MIVEC variable valve timing. Response is increased low down with a free revving top end thanks to MIVEC matching the inlet valve timing to the engine speed and engine load. The turbo tract has been lengthened to improve torque at the low-end to help give the smoothest power delivery seen in an Evo. Power is readily available from 2,000rpm, building as the turbo is spooled up around 3,000rpm before ripping through the rev counter to the 7,800pm redline. MIVEC has added another level of response to the car, gently adjusting your foot on the accelerator you can feel the subtleties of the engine working. The 6 speed gearbox has been refined to improve the gear shift and steering providing a more linear feel.

The chassis retains the revisions seen on the Evo VIII MR – Bilstein dampers, Active Yaw Control and Super ABS. The AYC software has been tweaked in the IX and lower rear springs are the only changes to be found but help the rear feel more controlled.

Grip as ever is astounding with the changes to the rear making it harder to unstick. The Evo IX doesn’t lack poise either, with direct steering and AYC ensuring the Evo IX keeps going in the right direction.

With each new Evo rumoured to be the last the Evo IX certainly doesn’t let the side down. A ferocious pace and improved handling make it quicker A-B than previous Evos the only decision to make is which FQ model to go for.