2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
by Mark Fulmer
TACH Editor In Chief
Portland, Oregon.
6:30am creeps into downtown Portland on the back of big beautiful gray clouds. (If you come from a Sacramento summer then you know why clouds can be beautiful.) This bodes well for a track driving test of the 9th Incarnation of the Lancer Evolution at Portland International Raceway.
Lap 1: Coming up to turn 1 provides the first test of Evo's brakes: strong, steady, and precise. The next series of 5 or 6 turns reveal superior handling: the ride loosens not, the tires squeal not, and the poise and composure would please even the toughest of Jedi masters.
Portland International Raceway has a back straightaway nicknamed "The Banana" due to its slightly raised and curved shape. As I entered the "nana" I put the Evo IX into its fourth and fifth gear and put the pedal to the floor - and was transported back to similar feelings riding a quarterhorse a full gallop across a New Mexican desert - free-flying soul-soaring fervor.
Subsequent laps reaffirmed the initial impressions and even corrected for intentional driving errors. I'll have more for you on this hot little number later on this fall after I spend a bit more time with her, but meanwhile here's some pics and stats...
FEATURES
EXTERIOR | RS | Evolution
IX | MR |
High-Intensity Discharge (HID)
head lamps with auto-off | - | P | S |
Auto-off
halogen head lamps |
S | S | - |
Reflector-type high beam head
lamp |
S | S | S |
Dark-front
and rear-head lamp bezel | S |
S |
S |
Built-in
fog lamps | - | P | S |
Front and
rear color-keyed bumper fascia | S | S | S |
Black front grille mesh | S | S | S |
Front center bumper air inlets | S | S | S |
Aluminum
hood with heat exhaust vent | S | S | S |
Aluminum
front blister-type fenders | S | S | S |
Aluminum
roof panel | S |
- |
S |
Twilight
side marker lamps |
S | S | S |
Side-turn
lamps | S | S | S |
Front
intermittent variable wiper and washer | - | S | S |
Rear
intermittent fixed wiper and washer | S | - | - |
Color-keyed folding power
side-view mirrors | - | S | S |
Black
folding power side-view mirrors | S | - | - |
Color-keyed pull-type door
handles |
- | S | S |
Black
pull-type door handles | S | - | - |
Rear
center roof antenna |
S | S | S |
Clear,
jewel-style rear tail lamps | S | S | S |
Dual-mode
muffler with variable back-pressure valve | S | S | S |
4"
chrome-plated single tailpipe | S | S | S |
Full-size
color-keyed rear spoiler with black carbon-fiber airfoil | A | S | S |
Electric
rear window defroster with timer | S | S | S |
Front
underbody aero-dam |
S | S | S |
Tinted
solar control glass |
S | S | S |
WHEELS & TIRES
| RS | Evolution
IX | MR |
17”
x 8" ENKEI® cast aluminum alloy
wheels | S | S |
- |
17”
x 8" BBS® forged aluminum wheels | | | S |
P235/45
R17 93W Yokohama™ ADVAN® high-grip tires | S | S | S |
Temporary
T125/70D17 spare tire mounted on a 17“
steel wheel | S | S | S |
INTERIOR | RS | Evolution
IX | MR |
Customized
MOMO® 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel | S | S | S |
Customized
RECARO™ front sport bucket seats (Alcantara and leather) | S | S | S |
Customized
RECARO™ front sport bucket seats with charcoal genuine leather
seating surfaces | - | P | - |
Shift
panel with "Lancer Evolution MR" logo plate | - | - | S |
Dark
titanium tone trim accents (HVAC, center panel, shift panel, floor console
panels) | - | S | S |
Carbon-style finish for
instrument panel accent | - | S | S |
INTERIOR
(cont.) | RS | Evolution
IX | MR |
Argent trim accents (instrument
panel, center panel) | S |
- |
- |
Height-adjustable steering
wheel |
S | S | S |
Illuminated ignition key
cylinder |
- | S | S |
Manual
controlled heater |
S | S | S |
Air
conditioning with multi-speed climate control fan | S | S | S |
Leather-wrapped gear shift
knob |
- | S |
- |
Aluminum
gear shift knob | S |
A |
S |
Leather-wrapped parking brake
lever |
- | S | - |
Carbon
fiber/aluminum brake grip lever | - | - | S |
Dual
covered visor vanity mirrors | S | S | S |
Aluminum
pedals | - |
S |
S |
Floor
mats | S | S | S |
Remote
hood, fuel door and trunk releases | S | S | S |
Power
windows with auto down driver's window | - | S | S |
Manual
controlled windows |
S | - | - |
Power door
locks with security logic and child lockout rear doors | - | S | S |
Manual
door locks | S | - | - |
Front-door
storage pockets |
S | S | S |
Center
console with armrest and storage compartments | - | S | S |
Center
console with storage compartments | S | - | - |
Front cup
holders | S | S | S |
12-volt
accessory outlet with illumination | S | S | S |
3 Assist
grips | S | S | S |
Front
sunglass pocket |
- | S | S |
Front map
lamps | - | S | S |
High back
rear seats with rear center armrest and cup holders | S | S | S |
Trunk room
trim | - | S | S |
Trunk room
lamp | S | S | S |
SAFETY &
SECURITY | RS | Evolution
IX | MR |
Full-time
AWD with Active Center Differential (ACD), Front helical torque-sensing
limited slip differential and rear 1.5 limited-slip
differential | S | S | S |
Driver and
front passenger air bags | S | S | S |
Front
seatbelt pretensioner with force limiter | S | S | S |
3-point
seatbelts and headrest for all occupants | S | S | S |
Child
safety locks |
S | S | S |
LATCH
system (Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children) | S | S | S |
Front and
rear crumple zones |
S | S | S |
Aluminum
door side-impact bars | S |
S |
S |
4-channel,
4-sensor Sport ABS with steering angle and G-Force sensors
| - |
S |
S |
SAFETY & SECURITY (cont.) |
RS | Evolution
IX | MR |
Electronic
Brake Distribution (EBD) | - | S | S |
Trunk entrapment release
handle | S | S | S |
Anti-theft engine
immobilizer |
S | S | S |
Keyless
entry | - | S | S |
INSTRUMENTS &
CONTROLS | RS | Evolution
IX | MR |
140-watt
Mitsubishi CD audio system and 6 speakers | - | S | S |
315-watt
Premium Mitsubishi/Infinity® CD audio system with 7 speakers
including subwoofer |
- | P | - |
In-dash 6-disc CD changer | A | A | A |
Full-scale
black-faced with three individual
gauges with full-time red-illuminated instrument cluster with
center-located 9000 rpm tachometer | S | S | S |
Digital
odometer and trip meter | S | S | S |
Instrument
panel-mounted head lamp leveling control for HID | - | P | S |
ACD switch
(Tarmac, Gravel, Snow) | S | S | S |
MECHANICAL | RS | Evolution
IX | MR |
Engine oil
cooler | S | S | S |
Twin-scroll
turbocharger |
S | S | S |
4-wheel
ventilated BREMBO™ disc brakes with aluminum caliper
housings | S | S | S |
Front and
rear Bilstein® shock absorbers |
- |
- | S |
Tubular
front strut tower brace | S | S | S |
Rear-end
cross bar | S | - | - |
Power-assisted quick-ratio rack
and pinion steering | S | S | S |
FACTORY OPTIONS
| RS | Evolution
IX | MR |
SUN, SOUND & LEATHER
PACKAGE:
| - | P | - |
ACCESSORY
PACKAGES | RS | Evolution
IX | MR |
RS
EQUIPMENT:
| S | - | - |
MR
EQUIPMENT:
| - | - | S |
S = Standard O = Optional P = Package - = Not available A = Accessory
Vehicle
features and options subject to change without notice. Last update
8/3/05
TECH SPECS
ENGINE
|
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
||
|
Engine
Type |
2.0L; In-line 4 cylinder MIVEC DOHC inter-cooled turbo |
|||
|
Engine
Code |
4G63 |
|||
|
Valve
Train |
DOHC 16-valve |
|||
|
Displacement
(cu in/cc) |
121.9/1997 |
|||
|
Bore x
Stroke (in) |
3.35 x 3.46 |
|||
|
Compression
Ratio |
8.8:1 |
|||
|
Horsepower
@ rpm (BHP) |
286 HP/6500 rpm
|
|||
|
Torque
@ rpm (lbs-ft) |
289 lbs-ft/3500 rpm |
|||
|
Engine
Block |
Cast iron |
|||
|
Cylinder
Heads |
Aluminum |
|||
|
Redline
rpm |
7000 rpm |
|||
|
Valve
Cover |
Magnesium |
|||
|
Fuel
System |
ECI-MULTI electronic fuel injection |
|||
|
Recommended
Fuel |
Premium unleaded (RON98) |
|||
|
Radiator
Core size |
700 x 375 x 35 |
|||
|
Engine
Oil Type |
100% fully synthetic oil required |
|||
|
Engine
Oil Capacity (qt/L) |
4.8 / 4.5 (filter: +0.3qt/cooler: +0.3qt) |
|||
|
Engine
Oil Cooler Core Size (mm) |
200 x 160 x 49 |
|||
|
Intercooler
Core Size (mm) |
289.5 x 490 x 65 |
|||
|
Turbocharger
Type |
TD05HR-16G6C-10.5T (twin scroll turbine) |
|||
|
Boost
Press (WOT/3500) |
139 kPa/3500 rpm |
|||
|
Boost
Press (WOT/6500) |
111 kPa/6500 rpm |
|||
|
TRANSMISSION |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
|
|
Drive
Train |
Full-time all-wheel drive with active center differential,
front helical limited slip differential and a rear mechanical 1.5
limited-slip differential |
Full-time all-wheel drive with active center differential,
front helical limited slip differential and a rear mechanical 1.5
limited-slip differential |
Full-time all-wheel drive with active center differential,
front helical limited slip differential and a rear mechanical 1.5
limited-slip differential |
|
|
Transmission
Type |
5-speed close-ratio
|
5 M/T close-ratio |
6 M/T close-ratio |
|
|
Ratios |
1st |
2.785 (triple) |
2.785 (triple) |
2.909 (triple) |
|
|
2nd |
1.950 (triple) |
1.950 (triple) |
1.944 (triple) |
|
|
3rd |
1.444 (double) |
1.444 (double) |
1.434 (double) |
|
|
4th |
1.096 (single) |
1.096 (single) |
1.100 (single) |
|
|
5th |
0.761 (single) |
0.761 (single) |
0.868 (single) |
|
|
6th |
N/A |
N/A |
0.693 (single) |
|
|
Reverse |
3.416 (double) |
3.416 (double) |
2.707 (single) |
|
|
Final Drive |
4.529 |
4.529 |
4.583 |
|
Front
|
Macpherson strut with inverted shock absorber and forged
aluminum lower control arms, stabilizer bar, front strut tower brace |
Macpherson strut with inverted shock absorber and forged
aluminum lower control arms, stabilizer bar, front strut tower brace |
Macpherson strut with inverted Bilstein® shock absorber,
forged aluminum lower control arms, stabilizer bar, front strut tower brace |
|
|
Front
Stabilizer Bar Diameter (mm) |
24 |
24 |
24 |
|
SUSPENSION (cont.) |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
||
Rear |
Multi-link wishbone configuration using forged aluminum
trailing-links and lateral-links and cast aluminum cross-member, stabilizer
bar |
Multi-link wishbone configuration using forged aluminum
trailing-links and lateral-links and cast aluminum cross-member, stabilizer
bar |
Multi-link wishbone configuration using Bilstein® shock
absorbers, forged aluminum trailing-links and lateral-links and cast aluminum
cross-member, stabilizer bar. |
||
Rear-End
Cross Bar-Tie |
Standard |
- |
- |
||
Rear
Stabilizer Bar Diameter (mm) |
22 |
22 |
22 |
||
EXTERIOR
DIMENSIONS |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
||
Wheelbase
(in/mm) |
103.3/2625 |
103.3/2625 |
103. /2625 |
||
Length
(in/mm) |
178.5/4535 |
178.5/4535 |
178.5/4535 |
||
Width
(in/mm) |
69.7/1770 |
69.7/1770 |
69.7/1770 |
||
Height
(in/mm) |
57.1/1450 |
57.1/1450 |
57.1/1450 |
||
Track,
Front (in/mm) |
59.6/1515 |
59.6/1515 |
59.6/1515 |
||
Track,
Rear (in/mm) |
59.6/1515 |
59.6/1515 |
59.6/1515 |
||
Min.
Ground Clearance (in/mm) |
5.5/140 |
5.5/140 |
5.5/140 |
||
INTERIOR
DIMENSIONS |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
||
Interior
Volume (cu ft) [with sun roof] |
105.4 |
105.4 [103.9] |
105.4 [103.9] |
||
Passenger
Volume (cu ft) [with sun roof] |
95.1 |
95.1 [93.7] |
95.1 [93.7] |
||
Cargo
Area (cu ft) |
10.2 |
10.2 |
10.2 |
||
Maximum
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
||
PASSENGER
SPACE |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
||
Front Head
Room (in/mm) [with
sun roof] |
39.9/1013 |
39.9/1013 [39.1/993] |
39.9/1013 |
||
Front Shoulder
Room (in/mm) |
54.1/1374 |
54.1/1374 |
54.1/1374 |
||
Front Hip
Room (in/mm) |
51.2 1300 |
51.2/1300 |
51.2/1300 |
||
Front Leg
Room (in/mm) |
43.0/1092 |
43.0/1092 |
43.0/1092 |
||
Rear Head
Room (in/mm) [with
sun roof] |
36.7/932 |
36.7/932 [36.4/925] |
36.7/932 |
||
Rear Shoulder
Room (in/mm) |
53.3/1354 |
53.3/1354 |
53.3/1354 |
||
Rear Hip
Room (in/mm) |
50.2/1275 |
50.2/1275 |
50.2/1275 |
||
Rear Leg
Room (in/mm) |
36.6/930 |
36.6/930 |
36.6/930 |
||
WEIGHTS |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
||
GVWR
(lbs/kg) |
4222/1915 |
4222/1915 |
4222/1915 |
||
Curb
Weight (lbs/kg) |
3219/1460 |
3274/1485 |
3285/1490 |
||
<10> 1Ⅸ |
N/A |
3338/1520 |
N/A |
||
Weight
Distribution (% f/r) |
60/40 |
60/40 |
60/40 |
||
TOWING
CAPACITY |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
||
Maximum
Gross Trailer Weight (lbs) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
||
Maximum
Trailer Tongue Load (lbs) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
||
STEERING |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
||
Type |
Power-assisted rack and pinion steering with quick gear
ratio |
Power-assisted rack and pinion steering with quick gear
ratio |
Power-assisted rack and pinion steering with quick gear
ratio |
||
Ratio |
13.0:1 |
13.0:1 |
13.0:1 |
STEERING
(cont.) |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
|
||||
Turning
Circle – Curb to Curb (ft/m) |
38.7/11.8 |
38.7/11.8 |
38.7/11.8 |
|
||||
Turns –
Lock to Lock |
2.1 |
2.1 |
2.1 |
|
||||
BRAKES |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
|
||||
Front
Brake Type |
BREMBO™ Ventilated disc, 4-piston caliper |
BREMBO™ Ventilated disc, 4-piston caliper |
BREMBO™ Ventilated disc, 4-piston caliper |
|
||||
Front Brake Diameter (in/mm) |
12.6/320 |
12.6/320 |
12.6/320 |
|
||||
Front
Brake Width (in/mm) |
1.2 /32 |
1.26/32 |
1.26/32 |
|
||||
Rear
Brake Type |
BREMBO™ Ventilated disc, 2-piston caliper |
BREMBO™ Ventilated disc, 2-piston caliper |
BREMBO™ Ventilated disc, 2-piston caliper |
|
||||
Rear
Brake Diameter (in/mm) |
12"/300 |
12"/300 |
12"/300 |
|
||||
Rear
Brake Width (in/mm) |
.87/22 |
.87/22 |
.87/22 |
|
||||
Anti-Lock
Brakes (ABS) |
N/A |
4-channel 4-sensor Sport ABS + EBD |
4-channel 4-sensor Sport ABS + EBD |
|
||||
Swept
Area - Front (sq in) |
306.7 |
306.7 |
306.7 |
|
||||
Swept
Area - Rear (sq in) |
215.9 |
215.9 |
215.9 |
|
||||
Total
Swept Area (sq in) |
522.6 |
522.6 |
522.6 |
|
||||
ELECTRICAL
CAPACITIES |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
|
||||
Battery |
12 volt maintenance free |
12 volt maintenance free |
12 volt maintenance free |
|
||||
Alternator
(Amps) |
90 |
90 |
90 |
|
||||
WHEELS
AND TIRES |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
|
||||
Wheel
Type |
17 x 8JJ OFFSET +38mm |
17 x 8JJ OFFSET +38mm |
17 x 8JJ OFFSET +38mm |
|
||||
|
ENKEI® lightweight high-strength aluminum alloy
wheels |
ENKEI® lightweight high-strength aluminum alloy
wheels |
BBS® one-piece forged aluminum wheels |
|
||||
Tire
Size |
P235/45 R17 93W |
P235/45 R17 93W |
P235/45 R17 93W |
|
||||
|
Yokohama™ ADVAN® high-grip tires |
Yokohama™ ADVAN® high-grip tires |
Yokohama™ ADVAN® high-grip tires |
|
||||
Spare
Tire |
T125/70D17 |
T125/70D17 |
T125/70D17 |
|
||||
FUEL
TANK |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
|
||||
Capacity
(gal/L) |
14.0/53 |
14.0/53 |
14.0/53 |
|
||||
EPA
FUEL ECONOMY |
RS |
|
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
||||
City/Highway
(mpg/mpg) |
20.7/31.8
|
20.7/31.8
|
19.8/30.9
|
|
||||
Exhaust |
FED Tier 1 & LEV compliant |
|
||||||
WARRANTIES |
RS |
Evolution IX |
MR Edition |
|
||||
Basic |
5 years or 60,000 miles |
|
||||||
Powertrain |
10 years or 100,000 miles |
|
||||||
Anti-corrosion |
7 years or 100,000 miles |
|
||||||
Technical data,
features, options and other equipment listed in this document are based on the
latest information available at the time of release and are subject to change
without notice.
Last updated: 8/3/05