Introduction

What is an RS?

The Lancer Evolution RS was designed and built by Mitsubishi to be the off the shelf bare bones Evo for motorsports enthusiasts who had no need for the additional luxuries (and weight) of the other trim models. The 2006 Evo IX RS had the following unique options and features:


  • Roll up windows

  • Unpainted door handles and mirrors

  • No Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)

  • No rear wing

  • No sound deadening

  • No trunk lining

  • Added trunk chassis bracing

  • No radio

  • No dome light

  • No center console

  • No rear window wiper

  • Aluminum roof and fenders (some other Evo IX trims also received the aluminum roof and you can tell by the side veins)

  • Halogen headlights (compared to HID on some other trims)

  • RS floor-mats (Only RS logo Mitsubishi designed was located on these)

All of this in the name of weight savings

By removing all of these options Mitsubishi was able to shed some weight. Breakdown below.

How many were made?

Mitsubishi has made the Lancer Evolution RS trim globally since 1993 dating back to the original Evolution I however in the US market we did not receive the RS trim until the 2004 model of the Evolution VIII, then again in 2005, and the final being the 2006 Evolution IX RS. The US market Evo production numbers break down as follows.

  • 2003 Lancer Evolution VIII

  • EVO VIII - 7167


  • 2004 Lancer Evolution VIII

  • RS - 263

  • VIII - 1254


  • 2005 Lancer Evolution VIII

  • RS - 282

  • VIII - 2880

  • MR - 1000


  • 2006 Lancer Evolution IX

  • RS - 358

  • IX - 4176

  • MR- 3667

Shut up and take my money

For me the epitome of the CT9A chassis was the final iteration of it ie. the IX. The Lancer Evolution IX received the ACD (Active Center Differential) which is even tunable (queue English Racing) along with the infamous MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) or more commonly known as Variable Valve Timing on the intake cam which can help aid with drivability and achieving a wider power band. Additionally, it only was brought to the US market for one year (2006) and to me that makes the Evo IX RS the most desirable.

My 2006 Lancer Evolution IX RS

Now as much as I would have loved to have been an original owner and purchaser of an Evo IX RS that was not the case. I looked high and low for a white, clean title, car for maybe 5-6 years after first starting to learn more about them. It wasn't until August of 2020 that I found a very rough car in Idaho but it was worth looking at due to price.

Pursuit

Against every bone in my body I bought myself a serious project car. This thing was rough but it was a clean title white IX RS and it was what I was searching for. The ultimate test was driving it back 300+ miles.


I understood that with a project car like this I would be able to enjoy it properly. If this was a low mileage, original RS I think I would struggle with the ability to modify it knowing what it was and how rare it actually is.


You may be thinking it looks fine in the FB marketplace photos but trust me it needed love. Below are some pictures of the stuff I speak of.