Mitsubishi Evo returns: new FQ-440 most powerful Evo ever

Mitsubishi has announced that the high-performance Lancer Evolution is returning to the UK – in a limited run of just 40 Evolution X FQ-440 MR editions, celebrating 40 years of Mitsubishi on these shores.

As is par for the course for an Evo FQ, the 440 represents the horsepower, making this new car the most powerful Evo ever. But priced at £50,000 it's also the most expensive Evo ever.

Justifying the cost is an immense list of modifications, including an HKS turbo kit, full Janspeed exhaust, Alcon brakes, Eibach suspension and even “PIAA motorsport silicone” windscreen wipers. The list of premium aftermarket names continues with the 18-inch BBS alloy wheels and Recaro leather seats – though we not so sure about the Rockford Fosgate audio system. Max Power, anyone?

But then, the Mitsubishi Evo always was a bit Max Power, wasn’t it? What with all the wings and vents and crazy all-wheel-drive performance – the FQ-440 MR even features an on-board data recorder, although somewhat alarmingly, this data will be available to both Mitsubishi and the owner.

Possibly because the company wants to know exactly what you were doing when it blew up; apparently it’s “a condition of the vehicle warranty”. Service intervals, it should also be noted, are every 4,500 miles or six months.

Anyway, in addition to all the extra bells and whistles, the new Evo features the usual Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) four-wheel drive, six-speed twin-clutch Sport Shift Transmission (SST) and a CAT 1 alarm. The only colour option is white. Perfect for a nice set of stickers or a House of Kolor topcoats.

Its 440hp peaks at 6,800rpm, with 412lb ft of torque available hitting hard at 3,100rpm. No performance data has been released, but the old 403hp FQ-400 scorched from 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds. Expect the FQ-440 MR to do the sprint in three and a half.

It’s set to go on sale in September 2014. Since Mitsubishi has only supplied one picture of the FQ-440 MR so far, we’ve rounded up images of all nine previous generations of Lancer Evolution for your delectation as well.

Click the image above to see the history of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

By CJ Hubbard, contributor, MSN Cars