2009 Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ-400 Heading For UK Roads

IF YOU WERE FEELING a bit shirty at the news that the red hot Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ-330 and FQ-360 won't be coming to Australia, you'll be seeing red over the even more ballistic Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ-400, announced this week for launch in the UK.

While the FQ-330 offers 242kW and 437Nm of torque, with an appropriately quick 4.4 second sprint to 100km/h, the FQ-400 weighs in at an even 300kW and 524Nm of torque.

Courtesy of those ridiculous figures, the FQ-400 delivers a blisteringly quick 3.8 second run to the ton. Top speed? An electronically-limited 250km/h.

That extra power is found thanks to some fiddling beneath the bonnet, with high-flow fuel injectors, a new turbo with low-friction bearings, strengthened thrust bearing and a high temperature turbine for increased response and reduced turbo lag.

An upgraded intercooler feeds the turbo, and a new exhaust system with 3-inch piping evacuates gasses more efficiently, while the ECU receives extensive remapping as well, courtesy of over 500 development hours.

With a wider track and lowered suspension, the FQ-400 sits on light-weight 18-inch alloy rims shod with Toyo Proxes R1R tyres,  resulting, Mitsubishi says, in greater cornering response and more incisive steering.

With great power comes great braking, and the FQ-400 is no exception, utilising aerospace-grade aluminium alloys and floating sealed discs with high performance pads.

The heavily vented bonnet is joined by composite side skirts, a re-styled rear bumper with a carbon-fibre diffuser, a rear wing incorporating a gurney strip and the obligatory roof-mounted vortex generator, all managing airflow around the slippery FQ-400.

Inside, the occupants are held in place with Recaro bucket sports seats, while a FQ-400 liveried handbrake handle and carbon-fibre gear knob feature in the centre.

The depressing news, as mentioned, is that Mitsubishi Australia has no plans to bring the UK's faster Evo range to Australia.

Still, with the likes of factory-supported outfits like Team Mitsubishi Ralliart offering very tasty upgrades, there's plenty of fun to be had with the Aus-delivered models.