Wednesday 12th March 2014

New info on UK Evo X return

Potential for 430hp-plus, but with only 40 on offer, get your order in now

---

Mitsubishi is rich - that's not PH speculating, that's what Mitsubishi Motors Corporation president, Masuko-san, told UK managing director Lance Bradley recently.

Most powerful Evo ever? Should be quick then!

Finally, after eight years of losses, MMC is turning a profit; the firm was the fastest growing brand in the UK last year, apparently. So, still why no Evo on the books?

For a short period at least, that's about to change, as it's confirmed Mitsubishi will bring 40 examples of the most powerful Evo model ever to the UK. The special run-out vehicle - all painted white - will celebrate Mitsu's 40th anniversary in the UK, and although it'll be the last Evo X ever, it's going out with a bang.

Details are still scarce, but Bradley did confirm to PH at Geneva that "it'll be the most powerful Evo ever." That means we're looking at more than the 403hp and 387lb ft of torque from the last Evo X FQ-400.

According to Bradley, "The guys are developing it now", so 430hp could be on the cards. Maybe even 450hp. What's certain is it'll be blisteringly quick, looking set to outdo the FQ-400's 3.8-second 0-62mph sprint time.

Limited edition will be based on FQ-400

With a five-speed manual 'box it'll also probably fall short of the FQ-400's less than Greanpeace friendly estimated efficiency of 17mpg with 340g/km CO2. Because that matters in a 400hp-plus turbo rally nutter. Obviously.

So candid is Bradley about his love for the Evo that once he's on the subject, he really gets into his stride:

"There isn't a race track in the country we can even test the car on because it's so loud. I've always driven an Evo since I've been at Mitsubishi, I still go into underground car parks and as I drive through it sets off all the car alarms. I love that and I probably shouldn't." Nice to know there's a 'car guy' at the helm of the UK arm of a company that prides itself on engineering.

And to the future of the Evo? Masuko will soon be replaced as president by Aikawa-san - he's another petrolhead more passionate for cars over numbers who's determined to put the pride back into Mitsubishi products. Surely that has to mean more Evos?

Evo doing what it does best

With the firm's on-going exploits into plug-in hybrid electric vehicles - or PHEVs - it stands to reason this special 40th anniversary model will be the last Evo powered solely by an internal combustion engine.

"I think there is a future for Evo," says Bradley. "I do think it'll be a plug-in hybrid when the next one does come. Once we've grown our volume, then it's time to look at what should be a replacement for the Evo - everyone benefits from having a halo product.

"When you're kind of repositioning yourself as a niche player with strong environmental credentials [like Mitsubishi is], it's slightly odd to say this 400hp-plus car doesn't meet any of the emissions legislation."

Want one of the 40? Tell Mitsubishi now!

He's got a point, and an Evo PHEV would likely solve the current car's drinking problem, quitting its membership of Octane Anonymous, improving performance and dynamics through clever chassis and motor control as well.

For the moment, we're interested in the hottest Evo yet. But with only 40 examples on offer - all of which are "probably going to be sold before they arrive," according to Bradley - you'll have to get in there quick.

With a price tag likely to exceed the £50,000 FQ-400 it won't be cheap, but we're sure it will be fun.

 

 

[15yrold]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 12 March 2014 at 12:08

[WCZ]

my dealer told me it was SST only, though appears to have been correct about it only being white and £50k+

[bashful]

Setting off car alarms - 'car guy' or 'massive cock who spoils it for the rest of us'?

[rhinochopig]

Can't see the point of it being that loud, the engine note isn't nice enough to want to broadcast it to the world.

Can't help but feel ambivalent about this car. Yes its nice to see one last hurrah, but this isn't really a hurrah.

[hondansx]

I appreciate the Imprezas/Evos are considerably more involving, but surely there's no ignoring the new breed of super-hatches with over 350bhp, combined with decent economy, emissions and a decent interior?

With barely a single Evo remaining standard, i just don't see the need.

[rtz62]

"With a five-speed manual 'box it'll also probably fall short of the FQ-400's less than Greanpeace friendly estimated efficiency of 17mpg with 340g/km CO2. Because that matters in a 400hp-plus turbo rally nutter. Obviously."

Five speed? Really? Is that because a 6-speed wouldn't be deemed tough enough mechanically to take the torque....???

[Ali_T]

Er....they're all SST cars. This has already been confirmed from inside Mitsubishi. And unless they've opened up the box and strengthened the clutches, they won't get over 400 ibft without risking a major failure. Hell, mine didn't cope with 320 ibft for longer than 20,000 miles!

I was initially interested until I heard about them all being white and all SST. If it's over £50k, they can bugger right off! Who, in their right mind, would pay that for the joy of AYC failure, SST failure, constant brake juddering issues and a cabin that redefines the word "rattle".

He must also have a different engine than mine because I certainly don't go into carparks to listen to it drone away. It's a tool to make the car go faster but hardly a Subaru or Honda VTEC.

Edited by Ali_T on Wednesday 12th March 13:45

[dukebox9reg]

Plenty of tuners stick with the standard gearbox and I believe i'm right in saying that the last few Evo's struggled to meet track noise regs even as standard.

Shows how times have moved on. The first GTR retailed for the same price.

I like Evos but this just doesn't excite me.

[Ali_T]

bashful said:

Setting off car alarms - 'car guy' or 'massive cock who spoils it for the rest of us'?

[Ex Boy Racer]

Had a 6, 8 and 9 back in the day.

In the end I grew out of them - too noisy, too bumpy, too primitive.

But wouldn't change those years for anything!

[Ali_T]

dukebox9reg said:

Plenty of tuners stick with the standard gearbox and I believe i'm right in saying that the last few Evo's struggled to meet track noise regs even as standard.

Shows how times have moved on. The first GTR retailed for the same price.

I like Evos but this just doesn't excite me.

The standard manual box is strong but SST is only reliable for 400bhp maximum, safer still 380. Some tuners open them up, replace the clutch packs and fluids and strengthen ten but that will immediately invalidate the Getrag warranty and leave Mitsu picking up the tab for a new box should they fail. Getrag won't let them open any normal SST boxes. They just get sent back and refurb'd.

[dukebox9reg]

Ali_T said:

dukebox9reg said:

Plenty of tuners stick with the standard gearbox and I believe i'm right in saying that the last few Evo's struggled to meet track noise regs even as standard.

Shows how times have moved on. The first GTR retailed for the same price.

I like Evos but this just doesn't excite me.

The standard manual box is strong but SST is only reliable for 400bhp maximum, safer still 380. Some tuners open them up, replace the clutch packs and fluids and strengthen ten but that will immediately invalidate the Getrag warranty and leave Mitsu picking up the tab for a new box should they fail. Getrag won't let them open any normal SST boxes. They just get sent back and refurb'd.

Sorry I was referring to the manual thinking it was a 6 spd. I'll shall stow my tits.

[Ali_T]

I misread that as "show"!

The Evo X only has the 5 speed manual box. I have no idea why they downgraded unless they wanted to force people towards the SST. It's the only reason I bought it!

[youngsyr]

Mitsubishi Dealership Email 4 Weeks ago said:

...all the cars will be in white solid paint and have the SST transmission

PH Today said:

With a five-speed manual 'box

So which is it - SST or manual?

Despite the Mitsubishi dealership email, I'm going to have to side with manual, as the SST just isn't capable of a reliable 400+ bhp without very significant modifications, all of which have been developed by aftermarket tuners in the US with no affiliation to Mitsubishi.

Even the manual might struggle on the reliability front at that power.

£50k could end up being a steal though - as the car will come with a 3 year warranty and may well therefore be over-spec'ed for the power. A simple boost hike and remap could see it closer to 500 bhp, which would make it a true weapon.

[youngsyr]

Ali_T said:

I misread that as "show"!

The Evo X only has the 5 speed manual box. I have no idea why they downgraded unless they wanted to force people towards the SST. It's the only reason I bought it!

Owners routinely destroyed the 6 speed box, albeit usually at significantly higher than standard power levels.

[dave_Sw1]

as someone who owns an unmodded Evo X360 i can safely say the current one wouldn't wake a doormouse in a carpark. 50k for a 6 year old design, not sure i'll be that keen but good luck Mitisi

[DanielSan]

Ali_T said:

I misread that as "show"!

The Evo X only has the 5 speed manual box. I have no idea why they downgraded unless they wanted to force people towards the SST. It's the only reason I bought it!

Isn't the 5 speed box stronger than the manual 6 speed one that was in the 8/9/10?

[youngsyr]

dave_Sw1 said:

as someone who owns an unmodded Evo X360 i can safely say the current one wouldn't wake a doormouse in a carpark. 50k for a 6 year old design, not sure i'll be that keen but good luck Mitisi

I suspect Lance Bradley is talking about his Evo X FQ-400 when he mentions setting off alarms (it has a custom exhaust).

[paulmaurice99]

If it's the same guy that came up with FQ as a model name, you can make your own mind up on car guy vs cock.

10th generation and they haven't changed the formula? Everybody else has moved on, why can't they? 50k my arse

[ndj]

"I think there is a future for Evo," says Bradley Yeah, right.

"the firm was the fastest growing brand in the UK last year, apparently" After multiple years of double digit percentage decline.

A washed-up brand with a washed-up MD. Someone switch the lights off......