- A Lancer EVO IX was caught speeding on a highway in New South Wales, Australia
- The vehicle was caught traveling at 178 km/h (111 mph) in a 110 km/h (68 mph) zone.
- According to the police report, the car was registered to the 21-year-old driver’s mother.
Having a performance car parked in your parents’ driveway is a recipe for temptation, especially if you’re a young petrolhead with more enthusiasm than restraint. That temptation proved too much for a 21-year-old in Australia, who was caught pushing his mom’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX way past the legal limit.
The incident took place last Friday night on the Hume Highway in New South Wales. According to police, the white Evo was clocked at 178 km/h (111 mph) in a 110 km/h (68 mph) zone, weaving past multiple vehicles. That’s 68 km/h (42 mph) over the limit and the kind of speed that doesn’t just earn you a slap on the wrist in Australia but an immediate date with the courts.
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The joyride came to an abrupt halt when Campbelltown Highway Patrol pulled the driver over. When questioned, the 21-year-old reportedly admitted, “I don’t have an excuse for you.” Probably the most honest thing he could’ve said at that point. A routine check revealed the Evo IX was registered to his mother, which may have been his saving grace.
While his license was suspended on the spot, the car avoided impoundment or plate confiscation—likely because it wasn’t legally his. As noted by CarExpert, he’ll still have to face court next month on Class A speeding and dangerous driving charges.
Photo: Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, NSW Police / Facebook
As police noted, at 178 km/h (111 mph), the vehicle was covering 50 meters (164 feet) per second. They added, “A crash at this speed is highly likely to result in catastrophic injuries or death. Please, for the sake of your families and ours, slow down.”
The Evo IX (ninth generation) debuted in 2005, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 287 hp (214 kW / 291 PS). While the rally-bred sedan is undeniably quick in a straight line, its true strength lies in its handling—thanks to a sophisticated chassis and all-wheel-drive system.
The IX is widely considered as one of the greatest Mitsubishi models ever made, representing the ultimate evolution of the VII and VIII generations. The model bowed out of production in 2007, when it got replaced by the significantly redesigned EVO X – the final iteration of the iconic series.
Mitsubishi EVO IX
