Form an orderly Mitsubishi Evo X

Now that's evolution. The soon-to-be-released Mitsubishi Evo X is set to be cheaper than the outgoing model.Not quite as cheap as the new Impreza STI, mind: the entry-level FQ-300 Evo will cost £27,499 when it goes on sale in the spring of 2008.

That's some £2,500 more than the STi, and buys you a very similar amount of power: the turbocharged two-litre four-pot puts out 290bhp, which should see the Evo to 60mph in under five seconds. If that's not enough grunt for you, Mitsubishi is offering two higher-power Evo Xs courtesy of tuning firm HKS.

The £30,499 FQ-330 gets a new ECU and breathing kit, including a Drager exhaust and upgraded catalyst, while the £35,499 FQ-360 adds even more power thanks to a tweaked ECU and new fuel pump assembly. This top-spec version also gets an aero kit and some swish leather.
We'll find out performance figures for both versions soon.

Neither the FQ-330 nor the FQ-360 will be available with Mitsubishi's new dual-clutch gearbox, though. The flappy-paddled SST is only available for the FQ-300, and will cost £31,999 on the higher-spec GSR version. All other Evo Xs will come with a five-speed manual transmission.

And, in good news for all those with no no-claims bonus (if you see what we mean), Mitsubishi boasts that the insurance group ratings for the X are the lowest they have ever been for the Evo. Which groups? 19A and 20A. Ah.

© Source: topgear
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