New Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

Bred from Mitsubishi’s racing program, the striking new 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX was introduced this week at the New York International Automobile Show. Loaded with power and aerodynamic enhancements culled from Mitsubishi's rally-racing success over the past decade, the compact sedan's turbocharged, intercooled engine now features advanced MIVEC technology, producing higher torque and better overall performance. This latest edition to the Lancer Evolution model line stacks up well against far more expensive sports cars by combining brute power and agility.

Charged with taking the Lancer Evolution driving experience to the next level, Mitsubishi engineers complemented the vehicle's handling characteristics - refined on the world's most demanding test tracks - with even more power and torque for 2006.

"Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, nothing can touch the Lancer Evolution IX," said Rich Gilligan, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America. "For people who want to truly stand out in a high-performance compact sedan, there's no better value than this latest edition of the Lancer Evolution series."

Born from a rally-racing legacy

The 2006 Lancer Evolution is the 12th model in a series of Mitsubishi Evolution high-performance compact sedans. It was originally introduced to satisfy FIA Group A rally specifications that called for a production model. Beginning in 1992, Mitsubishi Motors exclusively offered it in the Japanese and European markets, with no plans to sell it into the United States.

A continuous groundswell of rave reviews from automotive media and ardent performance addicts worldwide, however, pressured Mitsubishi Motors North America to introduce the Lancer Evolution to U.S. drivers in 2003.

Since then, the vehicle has lived up to the hype. Mirroring the success of the Mitsubishi rally racing program, the racing-inspired Lancer Evolution has received numerous industry accolades. It is one of Automobile Magazine's 2005 All-Stars and was Automobile of the Year in 2004. Sport Compact Car awarded Lancer Evolution "Car of the Year" for both 2004 and 2005, as well as named it the best sport compact car of all time in its October 2004 issue.

The Legend Evolves

The Lancer Evolution IX is available in stock trim, as well as RS and MR editions. Owners can further customize their vehicles to meet individual tastes through a comprehensive range of factory- and dealer-installed options. Accessories also are available for those who want to customize their vehicle even more to resemble their rally racing brethren.

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