Before we begin arguing if it’s “grey” or “gray”, focus on of the magnificent creation from Mitsubishi. A rally legend. A street hero. A tuning icon. A car that finds its calling on the gravel, looks equally at home on the paved circuits.

The Evo 9 is the last model built around the previous Lancer platform and along with it, the last time the 4G63 engine was updated. Although it attracted the ire of some big-name car magazines for being almost identical to the Evo 8, we see it as Mitsubishi’s parting gift to the CT platform that has evolved to its very limit.

The CT9A is arguably one of Mitsubishi’s finer chassis to date, and most recently, it was the fastest at the World Time Attack Challenge. But let’s not forget two great cars that have spawned from the CT9A. The HKS CT230 Evo and the Cyber Evo.

Even on this tiny island state, we have a hearty number of Evo 9’s with mind-boggling levels of performance. This Evo is no exception. We heard it coming before we saw it. That ominous growl of a cammed power plant coupled with a bassy exhaust announced the arrival of this beast.

As it sat there growling in anger of having to sit still, our eyes feasted on the aggressively-styled CF C-West bonnet, complemented by the matching CF Varis boot lid to shave extra kilos off an already athletic figure. A helping of more CF aero aids such as the Varis front Lip, DAMD sideskirt extension, DAMD rearskirt extension that help to smooth out the rush of air around the car at high speeds and reduce turbulence.

CF APR GT3 mirrors further accentuates this car’s dynamic styling. Opting for a sleeker overall appearance however, the Evo’s original sprouty rear wing has been swapped in favour of a subtle Varis boot deck lid spoiler.

But, we can’t help but admire the beautiful shade of grey called “Lamborghini Grigio Telesto Grey”, which seemed to “soften” the hard-chiseled looks of the Evo for a more neutral guise. In fact, if we left it in a typical car park, it seemingly blends in with its surroundings. Inconspicuous, yet unique.

What lay in the belly of the beast is a beautiful work of art. With a Tomei crafted block with Tomei 280 cams, power gains are further raised by the addition of a high-volume HKS Kansai intake manifold with integrated velocity stacks to ensure that the the beast gets its smooth delivery of air. An Owen GT35 turbo does the duties of delivering the high-end punch and is helped by a Tial wastegate to deliver an enhanced boost level.

To handle all the new power, supporting modifications included an uprated aluminium radiator to channel away the extra heat from the block, a race-ready front mount intercooler to handle the extra airflow as well as keep it cool under pressure, as well as a twin plate clutch that ensures that each and every HP and Nm squeezed from the block is delivered straight to the road. To ensure that the engine doesn’t starve itself of fuel at WOT, a SARD 5-litre surge tank is included into the fuel delivery, always ready to serve up a gush of explosive juice at the driver’s whim!

With brawns, come brains and this car has no shortage of it. Inside the cabin, we found the HKS Electronic Valve Controller (EVC) 6 for improved boost stability and precise tuning of boost pressure. But the whopper is the APEXI Power FC, a stand alone engine management system which controls all vital engine parameters.

By now, you may be wondering this car is built for straightline speed. You’re half-correct. Sitting low to the ground on G Force fully adjustable coilovers, on race-spec 12KG springs all-round. Coupled with sticky semi-slicks, this car darts about with absolute control.

Surprisingly, the owner chose to have a minimum of chassis reinforcement. With the Ultra Racing room bar being the only visible bar, along with the Cabring front strut bar, the stiffness of the Evo’s chassis design is quickly realized. The front strut bar serves another purpose, to double as a brake stopper to eliminate brake cylinder flex, which ensures smooth, sure-footed braking!

The stock Evo is equipped with beefy Brembo callipers and decently-size rotors for great braking performance. However, they fade quickly because of the extreme heat. Hence, the brake system does see some substantial upgrades with high-temperature Project Mu brake pads with slotted Dixcel Rotors to deal with the intense braking requirements, again and again!

Then we learnt that this car has a name. Alicia – The Hrtbrker. Proof that we all have a soft spot for such machines that moves us (in this case, very quickly). With the right mods, a selection of the right parts, a standard mass-produced high-performance car can be transformed into an extension of the soul.

Definitely a fine example of what a properly tuned car is capable off without going over the top. With all the power delivery focused at the top, it’s still capable of serving as a daily commute, with all the crucial supporting modifications for a great overall package. Also, the choice of colour is the perfect balancing flashiness and subtlety!

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9 CT9A

Engine
Tomei 2.2L with Tomei 280cams.
HKS KANSAI Intake Manifold
APEXI Aluminium Radiator
ARC Oil Catch Tank
AMS Front Mount Intercooler Race Version
OS Giken Twin Plate
SARD 5L GTR Surge Tank with Original
MAHLE Oil filter
Owen Development GT35 with Tial WG
Tomei Extreme Power Titanium Exhaust
HKS EVC 6
6 DEFI gauges
APEXI Turbo Timer
APEXI Power FC
HKS Twin Power
AMS Engine mounts and rear differential mounts

Undercarriage
G Force Fully adjustable coilover. F12KG R12KG
TOYO R888 255/40/17
PMU Pads with Dixcel Rotors
Carbing 3 point front strut with brake stopper
UR Room Bar
AMS rear differential mounts

Exterior
Colour: Lamborghini Grigio Telesto Grey
Carbon C West Bonnet
Carbon Varis Front Lip
Carbon Varis Boot
Carbon Varis Boot Lid
Carbon Varis Add On
Carbon DAMD sideskirt extension
Carbon DAMD rearskirt extension
Carbon APR GT3 mirrors

Interior
ARC center console
ARC side consoles
Bride Japan Carbon Kevlar Driver seat
Bride Zeta 3 Silver Backing passenger seat