Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ-360
 

Quite how Mitsubishi and its UK tuning division, Ralliart, with the help of independent specialists HKS, have squeezed so much power from such a small capacity engine is a miracle in itself. But the even bigger surprise is how docile the 360 is about town.

Be gentle with your right foot and the car potters around town like the ideal shopping trolley - albeit one with an exhaust pipe the size of the Queen Mary II's funnel. This gargantuan back box would look more at home pumping gas across oceans - but stuck on the back of the Evo it emits a rumble like the blow from Thor's mighty war hammer when he's woken up with a particularly bad hangover.

Of course, all this added to a huge carbon fibre rear spoiler sprouting from the boot, a similarly built front lip spoiler and an almost primeval-looking downforce-generating vortex generator - or mini shark fins to you and me - on the rear of the roof, and it's fair to say the Evo 360 isn't the most subtle-looking of cars.

In fact painted in black with unique smoked grey, lightweight 17-inch Speedline Turini alloy wheels, which mimic those found on the tarmac-spec rally car, the Evo is the kind of machine that could scare small children to tears.

But while the tots are comforted by their mothers anyone who loves driving will be crying too... crying tears of joy because as well as being one of the fastest cars on the road the 360 is also one of the most technologically advanced thanks to the Japanese firm's Super Active Yaw Control (which controls the distribution of torque to the rear wheels, limiting understeer and increasing cornering limits), active centre differential (which controls power to all four wheels depending on road conditions), and Sport ABS (which detects steering angle, lateral G and vehicle speed, to apply appropriate pressure to each of the four wheels).

In combination, the features produce a thrilling, informative and confidence inspiring set-up. The suspension was jointly developed by Mitsubishi engineers and technical experts at Bilstein during hours of testing at Germany's famous Nurburgring.

The end result is a steering set-up which always remains on the light side but the wealth of information delivered back to the driver - aided by the fantastic feel from the chassis - is so precise that corning speeds were consistently quicker than every other car I've tested.

The lack of lateral movement through corners is another Evo highlight, setting the car aside from rivals like the Subaru Impreza.

The engine's massive 492Nm (363 lb ft) of torque is delivered at just 3,200rpm, so after the smallest of delays the power kicks in and propels you along the outer lane of your nearest motorway faster than you've ever travelled before.

With the addition of a Ralliart sports meter kit below the still ever-so-fiddly sound system, oil temperature, turbo boost and battery charge are there for your information - and to complete the 360's range-topping spec, even the windscreen wipers have had a high performance upgrade to ensure the driver's vision is always clear.

Needless to say I reckon the 360 is not only awesome but quite literally breathtaking - in fact it's comfortably one of the most thrilling cars I have ever driven. The Evolution has always been a revelation but in this last and mighty incarnation before the all-new model arrives, the 360 surely represents the very pinnacle of rally-bred, road legal driving machines. - NEIL GREENFIELD

MITSUBISHI EVO IX FQ-360 - from ??35,504 otr

Engine: 2.0 litre turbocharged

Max power: 366bhp at 6,887rpm and 492Nm (363 lb ft) torque at 3,200rpm

PERFORMANCE:

0-62mph - 3.9 seconds

Max speed - 160mph plus

CO2 emissions/TAX %: 334/35%

INSURANCE GROUP: 20

STANDARD EQUIPMENT: 17-inch Speedline alloy wheels; vortex generator; air conditoning; Recaro seats; Momo steering wheel; Bilstein suspension; Brembo brakes

Source: [url=http://www.hornseyjournal.co.uk/content/islington/gazette/Motors/story.aspx?brand=ISLGOnline&category=CarReviews&tB rand=islgonline&tCategory=CarReviews&itemid=WeED23 %20Mar%202007%2011%3A37%3A22%3A967]Hornsey and Crouch End Journal[/url]