Chassis Code Explained
| Segment | Meaning | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| C | Body platform | C-segment compact (Lancer) |
| N | Engine orientation | New transverse layout (engine rotated 180° vs CE9A) |
| 9 | Body generation | 9th-generation Lancer body shell |
| A | Variant | High-performance homologation spec |
CN9A is exclusive to Evolution IV (August 1996 to January 1998). The N denotes the new chassis architecture — first ground-up Evo redesign with a twin-scroll turbocharger and the new AYC active yaw control on GSR trim. Evo V switched to CP9A (P = permanent 4WD revision).
Key Takeaways
- Launched August 1996 on the new Lancer platform, moving the series "into its second generation"
- First Evo with Active Yaw Control, which "controls the driving and braking forces between the left and right wheels"
- The 4G63 gained "a high-speed cam profile, forged pistons and a twin-scroll turbocharger" for 280PS
- New multi-link rear suspension, a consequence of the base Lancer's model change
- The RS "lacked AYC, ABS, air conditioning and alloy wheels" and could be had with a super-close-ratio gearbox
- Never federalised for North America — a US car is a 25-year import, with fuel-system rot and hidden underbody rust first on the list
Technical Specifications
Engine Options
| Chassis | Engine | Displacement | Power — JDM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN9A (Evo IV) | 4G63T | 2.0L | 280 PS @ 6500rpm (estimated) | JDM 'gentlemen's' 280PS rating |
Transmission Options
| Type | Ratios | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-speed Manual | N/A (varies by gen/market) | Evo I-X (most trims) | Multiple gearsets across generations |
| 6-speed Manual | N/A (varies by gen/market) | Evo VIII/IX MR, some UK | MR-focused close ratio sets |
| INVECS-II 5-speed Automatic | N/A | Evo VII GT-A | Torque-converter automatic |
| TC-SST 6-speed Dual-clutch | N/A (varies by year) | Evo X MR (and some markets) | Twin-clutch with S-Sport modes |
Variants & Trims
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer Evolution IV (CN9A, 1996-1998) | GSR | 4G63T 2.0L I4 Turbo | AWD, AYC rear diff, 5MT, Recaro, Momo |
| Lancer Evolution IV (CN9A, 1996-1998) | RS | 4G63T 2.0L I4 Turbo | AWD, AYC (opt/market), 5MT, lighter spec, steel wheels |
Should You Buy a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution CN9A?
Why You'll Love It
- The Active Yaw Control car AYC "controls the driving and braking forces between the left and right wheels by judging driving conditions precisely controlling the vehicle's yaw moment, enhancing cornering performance and braking stability" — the technology the rest of the series was built on.
- A genuine engine step, not a boost turn-up Mitsubishi modified the 4G63 "with a high-speed cam profile, forged pistons and a twin-scroll turbocharger to squeeze out another 10PS and deliver a maximum output of 280PS".
- New platform, new rear suspension The base Lancer's October 1995 model change moved the series "into its second generation", and the Evolution IV took "a new design multi-link suspension at the rear".
- Two clearly different cars in the range The rally car "was based on the Lancer Evolution RS model with its functional equipment specification designed to meet the wishes of the WRC Works Team", while "the Lancer Evolution GSR, meanwhile, was built for sport driving enjoyment".
Why You Might Not
- RS cars give up the systems buyers expect The RS "lacked AYC, ABS, air conditioning and alloy wheels", and only "10 per cent of production was given over to" it — so an RS is both rarer and harder to live with.
- No North American market car Mitsubishi "only federalized the later Evo VIII for North America", so this generation reaches the US only as an import.
- Low-mileage imports have been sitting Buyers "are always looking for low mile cars", and "that brings a whole other level of issues from the cars sitting. So many of the JDM imports have completely rotted fuel systems."
- Underbody coatings hide the rust "Lots of cars get a black coating over the entire undercarriage. You have no idea what will be under it. It could be preventative or be hiding everything."
Who Should NOT Buy This
- Buyers who cannot inspect on a lift first — "any rust visible in pictures or video will almost always be worse once the car is in your hands and up on an inspection lift"
- Buyers unwilling to budget a fuel-system refresh: "anyone that buys one should plan on installing a fresh fuel pump and filter", and "you need to drop the fuel tank to get to any of this"
- Buyers who want air conditioning and ABS but are drawn to the rarer car — the RS "lacked AYC, ABS, air conditioning and alloy wheels"
- Buyers who need a US-market car with dealer support: Mitsubishi "only federalized the later Evo VIII for North America"
Common Issues & Solutions
| Issue | Cause | Solution | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| AYC system health on a GSR | Active Yaw Control is this generation's defining system, and it "controls the driving and braking forces between the left and right wheels" through hardware that is now old. | Confirm the system is present and behaving on a test drive rather than assuming — and confirm which trim you are looking at, since the RS "lacked AYC, ABS, air conditioning and alloy wheels". | Ask for the AYC service history in writing. |
| Rotted fuel system on a low-mileage import | "So many of the JDM imports have completely rotted fuel systems" — the low-mileage cars that get exported are the ones that sat. | "Anyone that buys one should plan on installing a fresh fuel pump and filter." | Get a written estimate for pump, filter and a tank drop before committing. |
| Fuel tanks and pump hangars are hard to source | "And gas tanks and fuel pump hangars are difficult to source." | Price parts availability before purchase. | Parts sourcing, not labour, is the constraint. |
| Underbody rust concealed by coating | "Lots of cars get a black coating over the entire undercarriage. You have no idea what will be under it." | Inspect on a lift and probe the coating rather than trusting photographs. | Budget an independent pre-purchase inspection on a lift. |
Differences between JDM & USDM
CN9A is a Japanese-market car; Mitsubishi "only federalized the later Evo VIII for North America". The Evolution IV arrived in August 1996 after the base Lancer's October 1995 model change moved the series "into its second generation". It introduced Active Yaw Control, which "controls the driving and braking forces between the left and right wheels by judging driving conditions precisely controlling the vehicle's yaw moment", ran a 4G63 "modified with a high-speed cam profile, forged pistons and a twin-scroll turbocharger" for 280PS, and used "a new design multi-link suspension at the rear". Japan's split was a well-equipped GSR "built for sport driving enjoyment" and an RS that "lacked AYC, ABS, air conditioning and alloy wheels" at "10 per cent of production". For a US buyer that means importing: check the underbody on a lift, because "any rust visible in pictures or video will almost always be worse" in person, and budget the fuel system, because "so many of the JDM imports have completely rotted fuel systems". Eligibility runs on 49 CFR 591.5's condition that "the vehicle is 25 or more years old".
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Critical Priority
High Priority
Generation History
Evo IV (CN9A) (1996-1998)
- New body; first **AYC** active yaw
- Major handling leap; rally DNA
- Rising US interest as 25-year nears
Market Data
Production Numbers & Rarity
| Generation | Years | Total Built | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer Evolution IV (CN9A) | 1996-1998 | ~10,000 (estimated) | Estimated; higher volume than I-III |
Motorsport Heritage
| Series | Years | Result | Car | Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Rally Championship (WRC) | 1996–2005 | 3× Manufacturers' Championship; Tommi Mäkinen 4× Drivers' Champion | Lancer Evolution IV–VIII WRC | Tommi Mäkinen / Richard Burns / Markko Märtin |
| Asia Pacific Rally Championship | 1996–2002 | Multiple class and overall wins | Lancer Evolution WRC | — |
Sources: FIA WRC official records, APRC records
How It Compares
| Feature | CN9A | Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 | Mazda RX-7 FD3S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layout/traction | AWD, active diffs (many) | RWD, LSD | RWD, LSD |
| Engine family | 4G63T (I-IX) / 4B11T (X) | RB26DETT 2.6 I6TT | 13B-REW 1.3 RTT |
| Stock power (JDM) | 276 hp (gentlemen's agr.) | 276 hp (rated) | 255-280 hp (market) |
| Tuning headroom | High; 350-450whp common | High; costly but strong | High; heat/rotary limits |
| Handling character | Pointy, adjustable, AWD rotate | Stable, heavy, high grip | Light, oversteer-prone |
| Reliability baseline | Good if stock & maintained | Good but parts pricey | Sensitive; vacuum/heat issues |
| Maintenance pain points | AYC/ACD, belts, boost leaks | ATTESA, turbos, rust | Cooling, apex seals, twins |
| Practicality | 4-door sedan; usable rear seat | 2-door; small rear seat | 2-seat/2+2 tight; low cargo |
| Collector premium drivers | Evo VI TME, IX MR, X FE | V-Spec II Nür, M-Spec Nür | Spirit R, Type RZ |
| US availability | USDM VIII/IX/X; earlier import | R34 legal by year; costly | USDM available 1993-1995 |
| Direct USDM rival | Evo VIII/IX/X | AWD turbo; 2.5 EJ | AWD turbo; 2.5 EJ |
| Steering feel | Sharper, more immediate | Good but less razor-edged | Heavier; more insulated |
| Drivetrain tech | AYC/ACD; SST on X | DCCD center diff | DCCD; SI-Drive |
Comparable Alternatives
Subaru WRX STI GR/GV
Roomier hatch/sedan; DCCD; daily-friendly
Nissan 370Z
Modern RWD performance; simpler ownership; cheaper
The Buyer's Read
The Evolution IV is where the series stopped being a quick Lancer and became a systems car. The base Lancer's full model change in October 1995 moved the Evolution "into its second generation", and the August 1996 car brought Active Yaw Control, which "controls the driving and braking forces between the left and right wheels by judging driving conditions precisely controlling the vehicle's yaw moment, enhancing cornering performance and braking stability". PistonHeads puts it simply: "the 280hp Mitsubishi Evo IV, launched in August 1996, was the first Evo to boast Active Yaw Control (AYC)".
The engine step is real hardware, not a boost screw. The 4G63 "was modified with a high-speed cam profile, forged pistons and a twin-scroll turbocharger to squeeze out another 10PS and deliver a maximum output of 280PS", and the new platform brought "a new design multi-link suspension at the rear".
Trim matters more here than on almost any other Evolution. The rally car "was based on the Lancer Evolution RS model with its functional equipment specification designed to meet the wishes of the WRC Works Team", and the road RS followed suit: it "lacked AYC, ABS, air conditioning and alloy wheels", and made up only "10 per cent of production". The GSR, "built for sport driving enjoyment", is the one most buyers actually want to live with. RS cars could also take "a choice of super close ratio transmission (with high or low gearing)".
In North America this is an import. Mitsubishi "only federalized the later Evo VIII for North America", and the cars that cross are usually low-mileage, which is its own warning: buyers "are always looking for low mile cars", and "that brings a whole other level of issues from the cars sitting. So many of the JDM imports have completely rotted fuel systems." Budget a fresh pump and filter, get the car on a lift — "any rust visible in pictures or video will almost always be worse once the car is in your hands and up on an inspection lift" — and treat a black undercarriage coating as something to look under, since "you have no idea what will be under it". Import eligibility itself only asks, under 49 CFR 591.5, that "the vehicle is 25 or more years old".
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did the Evolution IV launch, and what changed?
- August 1996. The base Lancer's full model change in October 1995 moved the series "into its second generation", bringing a new platform and "a new design multi-link suspension at the rear".
- Is this the first Evo with Active Yaw Control?
- Yes — PistonHeads describes "the 280hp Mitsubishi Evo IV, launched in August 1996" as "the first Evo to boast Active Yaw Control (AYC)".
- What does AYC actually do?
- It "controls the driving and braking forces between the left and right wheels by judging driving conditions precisely controlling the vehicle's yaw moment, enhancing cornering performance and braking stability".
- How much power, and how was it found?
- 280PS. The 4G63 "was modified with a high-speed cam profile, forged pistons and a twin-scroll turbocharger to squeeze out another 10PS".
- How rare is the RS?
- "10 per cent of production was given over to the lightweight RS version which lacked AYC, ABS, air conditioning and alloy wheels. The rest were GSR models." The RS could also be specified with "a choice of super close ratio transmission (with high or low gearing)".
- Can I import one into the US?
- Under 49 CFR 591.5 the FMVSS exemption condition is that "the vehicle is 25 or more years old" — confirm the specific car's manufacture date and the current import, EPA and state requirements.
Sources & References
Sources (14)
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — encyclopedic overview — Wikipedia Verified
- Mitsubishi Sirius / 4G6 engine family reference — Wikipedia Verified
- World Rally Championship — historical record — Wikipedia Verified
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI used car buying guide — Autocar Verified
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X owner reviews and common problems — Carbuyer Verified
- Lancer Evolution — dream-car ownership perspective — CarThrottle Verified
- Left-hand-drive Evo discussion thread — EvolutionM forum Verified
- Pros and cons of Evo ownership — community thread — EvoX Forums Moved View archived ↗
- Lancer Evolution common problems reference — Breakeryard Access blocked
- Evo X reliability discussion — r/mitsubishi subreddit Access blocked
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — Hagerty valuation tool — Hagerty Access blocked
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — auction results archive — Bring a Trailer Access blocked
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evo — model history and road tests — Evo Magazine Access blocked
- WRC — championship history and Mitsubishi Ralliart record — FIA World Rally Championship Access blocked
Sources last verified: