Estimated Price: £65,000 - £75,000

The Mitsubishi Evolution IX was first introduced in March 2005, revealed simultaneously in Japan and at the Geneva Motor Show. Developed from the already formidable Evo VIII MR, it retained Bilstein dampers, Active Yaw Control and Super ABS, while introducing MIVEC variable valve timing to the legendary 4G63 engine. Production was short-lived, ending in January 2007, and the Evo IX is widely regarded as the last ‘true’ Evolution, with the subsequent Evo X never contesting the World Rally Championship.

This 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX represents the absolute pinnacle of Group N rallying and stands as one of the most significant Group N rally cars of its era. Built and run by ADR Motorsport of Chesterfield on behalf of Mitsubishi Motors, this is a genuine ex-Works Evolution IX that competed at the sharp end of British and International rallying during the model’s final and most successful years.

Driven by Guy Wilks and co-driven primarily by Phil Pugh (with David Moynihan appearing on the notes during its competition life), this car formed part of Mitsubishi Motors UK’s factory-backed British Rally Championship programme during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Across this period, Wilks and Mitsubishi secured consecutive British Rally Championship titles, with this Evolution IX playing a central role in that success. While championship honours were achieved across the team’s campaign rather than attributed to a single chassis outright, this car was one of the standout performers of the programme. It recorded multiple outright rally victories on both tarmac and gravel and made an immediate impact by winning its very first event on debut at the 2007 Pirelli International Rally.

Beyond its domestic success, the car also proved itself on the world stage. It competed in the UK rounds of the Production World Rally Championship in both 2007 and 2008, running on the same stages as the World Rally Championship itself. Production WRC was a fiercely contested class that rewarded reliability and consistency as much as outright pace, and success required cars to endure the same punishing conditions faced by top-level WRC machinery. The car’s appearances on Rally Wales GB (one of the toughest events on the calendar) further cemented its reputation as a durable and highly competitive Group N Evolution, reinforcing Mitsubishi’s long-standing dominance of production-based rallying.

Following its frontline competition career, this Evolution IX was not sold on to a privateer, as was common practice with many Works cars. Instead, it was retained by Mitsubishi Motors UK and placed into the manufacturer’s Heritage Fleet, a collection reserved for only the most historically significant vehicles from Mitsubishi’s UK competition and road-car history. While in the heritage fleet, the car played a key role in promoting the brand, appearing on show stands, featuring in magazine articles and being displayed at dealerships during major events. It was used solely for static display, maintained and checked regularly, and treated with the care befitting a car of such importance.

This history is formally documented by an accompanying letter from Mitsubishi Motors UK, which is included with the car. The letter confirms the car’s works provenance, competition record, heritage-fleet status and subsequent decommissioning from active competition, making it an exceptional piece of factory documentation that significantly enhances the car’s authenticity and collectability.

The car was later purchased directly from Mitsubishi when the manufacturer released selected vehicles from its private collection, offering a rare opportunity to acquire a factory-retained works rally car with fully traceable ownership. Registration M1 MMC is not included, however, the car retains its original competition registration WU56 GWG and its MSA logbook.

Today, the Evolution remains presented largely as last campaigned. It has not competed in recent years and would require recommissioning prior to use, including renewal of FIA-mandated safety equipment. It starts on the button, runs a milder engine map for ease of use and longevity, and is supplied with a set of newly fitted tarmac wheels and tyres in addition to its gravel setup.

This is not simply a competition Evo but a cornerstone of modern British rally history. A factory-run, championship-winning Group N Evolution IX, driven by one of the era’s leading drivers and retained by Mitsubishi itself, it stands as one of the most important and successful Evolutions ever built.