Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR GSR Review
Car of 9 Tails

You know, as journalists, our professional reputations ride on our never giving the impression that we love what we do just because we like to punt that Ferrari through a corner faster than a normal person would, and things like that.

In actual truth, a sizeable part of this kind of disinterest is fake. No matter how restrained our reactions are on the outside, along comes the 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR, and that little kid inside all of us inevitably finds its way out, jumping for joy.

We may well whimper to the Mitsubishi PR about the imminent fuel expenses, and our unflustered bearing during that formal key exchange, but rest assured, we won't waste a second between the leaving of staff and that virgin moment where we gun the throttle, letting both the turbo and our grinning faces open wide.

Still, there is some contempt when we outwardly heap upon such sporty “equipment”. For one, it does seem a tad bit inane to showering the same praise on every modification of a single car. Maybe they do that because they cherish the abundant exposure. Of course, being the people that we are, we willingly oblige!

MR Nine

2007 is the second year for the Evo 9. The IX entered 2006 with new fascia and other modifications, differentiating it from the VIII.

The MR stands for Mitsubishi Racing. The designation signifies several changes. Generally, the MR is the race-ready version of the Evo family. Exclusive to the MR, an aluminum roof and booth lid further slice away surplus kilos. What looks like the already famous “Shark fins”, a row of vortex generators sits there for better downforce and stability at high speed.

Other than the MR, Mitsubishi offers the Lancer Evolution IX in basic standard issue, and the truly high-tech (and stripped-down) RS trim.

Every single Evo comes with an engine that has been the subject of much talk from everywhere over the world. So good is this engine, that it has been wanted in Malaysia for transplants into Protons, OLD Mitsubishi Galants for drift practice, and so on.

The tiny 2-liter twin-scroll turbo is arguably the summit of the artificially-aspirated four-pot generation. Hardly a surprise, since the Evo fetches for around twice for what a normal Lancer costs. Nearly $20grand is concentrated under the hood alone.

I could sit here all day and lament on how the engine is real fast, touching on all the go fast bits thrown in, and would still not be done. Briefly, it's an all-aluminum family affair with an iron short block, breathing through 16 valves actuated by variable, dual overhead cams, and a MIVEC variable-valve timing system tuned to rev all the way to a real, creamy smooth 7000rpm redline.