Mitsubishi Evolution IX

Japanese automaker Mitsubishi is preparing the next generation of its Lancer-based Evolution for our market. Times have been anything but easy for the company, but Evo enthusiasm--and sales--have been a bright spot.

Mitsu dropped some big hints about the car at last year's Tokyo motor show with the Japanese domestic-market-only Evo VIII MR (Mitsubishi Racing). The MR's features, over the standard Evo VIII, include Bilstein shocks for improved handling, upgrades to the car's electronic all-wheel drive, traction control and ABS sport systems, and an aluminum roof panel and other bits to reduce body weight and lower the center of gravity.

When this version morphs into the Evo IX, with plans to import it here, it'll (finally) get a six-speed gearbox, lighter forged wheels, and a 10-horsepower bump to 281 horses, closing it in on the 300-horsepower Subaru WRX STi. There's also talk of an active center differential unique to the U.S., probably mechanical instead of the home market's electronic version, to keep warranty issues at bay. Topping off all this is some new sheetmetal. We suspect more arched, rounded front fenders, with taller, skinnier ovoid headlamps, that'll lend a more aerodynamic look. The rear fenders and rear fascia also will be new. Whether this upgraded halo affects Mitsubishi's fortunes remains to be seen, but we're sure PlayStation aficionados can't wait to download the Evo IX in digital form.