The 2006 version of Mitsubishi's street-legal racer, the Lancer Evolution, received a minor redesign, with a new grille, bumpers, and alloy wheels, as well as some restyled interior features, such as the rear seats. Power was bumped up by 10 to 286 horsepower, courtesy of a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing.

The car was known by the overall designation Evolution IX, although it was actually available in four trim packages, including the RS, the IX, and the SE, as well as the MR. All versions came with a five-speed manual overdrive transmission (which was standard equipment across the Lancer line), as well as air conditioning, Recaro front sport seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and dual front airbags.

The IX and SE packages added power door locks, antilock brakes, and a CD player to the standard AM/FM stereo system, among other features.

In the United Kingdom, the Evolution IX uses a different trim scheme based on horsepower. There were initially three trims available: the FQ-300, FQ-320, and FQ-340, with around 300, 320, and 340 hp (254 kW) respectively. An FQ-360 model was subsequently released as a successor to the Evolution VIII FQ-400. While the new FQ-360 produces fewer horsepower than its predecessor, it has more torque at 363 foot-pounds (492 Nm) at 3,200 rpm - 8 ft-lbs (11 Nm) more than the FQ-400.  An MR version of the FQ-360 was subsequently released, which included modified brakes and suspension. All four trims were designed to run on super unleaded petrol only.