Mitsi releases Evo FQ-360
Another f-quick car hits the streets
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Mitsubishi UK has unveiled a new and more powerful version of the Evo IX. A development of the FQ-340, the new FQ-360 features a 366bhp version of Mitsubishi’s 2.0-litre turbo engine.
Making its debut at the British Motor Show, the FQ-360 joins a three-car Evo line-up, consisting of the FQ-300, 320 and 340, all of which continue.
The FQ-360 has been developed by engineers from Mitsubishi UK’s motor sport and performance division, Ralliart, which was also responsible for the limited edition FQ-400. Launched in 2004, the FQ-400 was the fastest-ever production Mitsubishi and the new FQ-360 shares some of its key components.
Mitsubishi’s engineers sought to improve the performance of the 1997cc 4-cylinder 4G63 twin scroll turbo engine with the introduction of a high pressure fuel pump and a high-flow catalytic converter, both of which were employed in the FQ-400. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) has been reprogrammed to create a car that delivers 366bhp at 6,887rpm and 363lb-ft of torque at 3,200rpm.
The torque output is the key to this car’s character, reckoned Mitsubishi. The peak output of 363lb-ft is 8lb-ft more than the FQ-400 produced and is delivered 2,200rpm lower down the rev range. It’s also 18lb-ft more than the FQ-340. The car will sprint from 0-60mph in an estimated 4.1sec and top 160mph.
“We’ve worked hard to optimise the FQ-360’s driveability,” says Paul Brigden, general manager, Ralliart. “We wanted to deliver the best possible driving experience, rather than concentrating on a headline-grabbing power output.”
Mitsi compares it to a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, which costs almost twice as much and takes 0.7sec longer to reach 60mph from rest. The company didn't factor in depreciation or service intervals.
Exterior and interior tweaks
Exterior tweaks differentiate the car and improve its aerodynamics, said Mitsubishi, including a downforce-inducing carbon fibre front lip spoiler attached to the front apron. At the rear, a carbon fibre ‘sharks tooth’ rear vortex generator helps to reduce aerodynamic lift.
There's a bespoke set of alloy wheels developed by Speedline, which are said to mimic the five-spoke design of Mitsubishi’s tarmac-spec rally car and are not available as an aftermarket option. The new alloys are shod with Yokohama ADVAN AO46 235/45ZR17 tyres, which are shared with the rest of the Lancer Evolution range.
The interior of the FQ-360 builds on that of the FQ-340 with one addition: the space below the stereo, used for oddments storage in the FQ-340, is occupied by a Ralliart Sports Meter Kit. Three dials display the battery voltage, oil temperature and boost pressure, providing extra, useful information.
The company is keen to position the FQ-360 as anything but a stripped-out road racer. The spec includes climate control, all-round electric windows and electrically adjustable mirrors, a category 1 alarm and four airbags.
The FQ-360’s suspension steering is unchanged from the standard Evolution IX. The Evolution IX’s Brembo brakes, also unchanged, consist of 17-inch ventilated discs with four piston callipers at the front and 16-inch ventilated discs with two-piston callipers at the rear. They're supplemented by Sports ABS and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) that automatically regulates the front and rear braking force to match the vehicle load and driving conditions.
It's available now. The Evo range starts at £28,039, topping out with the FQ-360 at £35,504. Orders can be placed at any Mitsubishi Ralliart dealer with first deliveries expected in September.
Not normally one to defend Mitsi, but...
The author clearly didn't factor absolute depreciation values or OPC servicing costs.
I'm willing to bet the ppm costs for the two cars are pretty comparable...except one leaves you with £30k more in your pocket.
1. The car removes a fair percentage of the skill required to pilot it correctly at speed
2. As a result the car gets driven harder by the individual
3. They end up hooning far too quickly on public roads
4. If they don't then they're just sitting in a spoilered up 4 door saloon that, to be frank, looks nothing more special than a normal saloon.... with spoilers on it.
If you want to have fun in a car then get one that demands a good percentage of driver involvement to drive quickly - not one that demands a good percentage of driver involvement only when driven insanely fast. The roads don't have the room for the kind of speeds this car needs to deliver thrills imho
As a track car there's a lot more out there that are lighter, as quick and fun
As a family car there's many more that are more practical, comfortable and spacious
As a pose-mobile there's many more that sound better, have more character, are more prestigious
For the price of one of these (and the cost of servicing at those silly intervals) you could have a great road car and something for the fun/trackdays.
Can you see I wasn't impressed with my overall ownership experience!!!!
1. The car removes a fair percentage of the skill required to pilot it correctly at speed
2. As a result the car gets driven harder by the individual
3. They end up hooning far too quickly on public roads
4. If they don't then they're just sitting in a spoilered up 4 door saloon that, to be frank, looks nothing more special than a normal saloon.... with spoilers on it.
If you want to have fun in a car then get one that demands a good percentage of driver involvement to drive quickly - not one that demands a good percentage of driver involvement only when driven insanely fast. The roads don't have the room for the kind of speeds this car needs to deliver thrills imho
As a track car there's a lot more out there that are lighter, as quick and fun
As a family car there's many more that are more practical, comfortable and spacious
As a pose-mobile there's many more that sound better, have more character, are more prestigious
For the price of one of these (and the cost of servicing at those silly intervals) you could have a great road car and something for the fun/trackdays.
Can you see I wasn't impressed with my overall ownership experience!!!!
Agreed with most but on the right road at the right time they are astonishing though but you are right, that moment doesn't happen enuff!
For the same money get nearly new M3csl or a normal M3 and do loads to it for that fun/character that you mention.
I just find it confusing, how about something interesting, like a coupe model, instead of something that would lose a styling contest with a cardboard box.
The older Evos at least had some outrageous bodykits to make it seem like it was in fact the thinly disguised rally car that it was.
I mean I like a sleeper as much as the next person but why not some visual variety to separate them? They could have a mild looking discreet car (like the WRX Spec D but actually looking discreet) and a mental looking version for those who want something that stands out.
1. The car removes a fair percentage of the skill required to pilot it correctly at speed
2. As a result the car gets driven harder by the individual
3. They end up hooning far too quickly on public roads
4. If they don't then they're just sitting in a spoilered up 4 door saloon that, to be frank, looks nothing more special than a normal saloon.... with spoilers on it.
If you want to have fun in a car then get one that demands a good percentage of driver involvement to drive quickly - not one that demands a good percentage of driver involvement only when driven insanely fast. The roads don't have the room for the kind of speeds this car needs to deliver thrills imho
As a track car there's a lot more out there that are lighter, as quick and fun
As a family car there's many more that are more practical, comfortable and spacious
As a pose-mobile there's many more that sound better, have more character, are more prestigious
For the price of one of these (and the cost of servicing at those silly intervals) you could have a great road car and something for the fun/trackdays.
Can you see I wasn't impressed with my overall ownership experience!!!!
Agreed with most but on the right road at the right time they are astonishing though but you are right, that moment doesn't happen enuff!
For the same money get nearly new M3csl or a normal M3 and do loads to it for that fun/character that you mention.
It's the servicing that kills - every 4.5k miles and it costs a fortune! Friend of mine brought a Porsche Turbo and it needed servicing every 10k miles or so and cost less than the Evo on an hour by hour service charge! Evo's are a great weekend and/or track car but not for day to day use. However I have put a deposit down on an Evo X; which shows really that these things are truly addictive!
You can expect Mitsu to keep plugging updated Evo IX's to keep them selling. When they announced the Evo VIII and how different/allegedly better it was going to be, the sales of the Evo VII stopped that day and loads of orders were cancelled.
I think it's a good thing that a company takes it upon itself to continually evolve their cars. Better than slowing down and making you wait until oil runs out until they release the FQ-600
I think it's a good thing that a company takes it upon itself to continually evolve their cars. Better than slowing down and making you wait until oil runs out until they release the FQ-600
Which will be as quick as a McLaren SLR....
The engine wont make it to its first service, but it'll still be as fast as a McMerc
It's the servicing that kills - every 4.5k miles and it costs a fortune! Friend of mine brought a Porsche Turbo and it needed servicing every 10k miles or so and cost less than the Evo on an hour by hour service charge! Evo's are a great weekend and/or track car but not for day to day use. However I have put a deposit down on an Evo X; which shows really that these things are truly addictive!
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I disagree mine was run as a daily car for a yr and had no probs whatsoever. Z4 3.0 replacement has harder/fidgitier ride. Tyres & pads lasted 15k of fast road use. Almost all servicing is just oil/filter about £150 a pop - total £400 per yr in servicing. £45 per hr at my local Mitsu Ralliart approved dealer - try and get a Porsche rate near that!
Chris Harris in Autocar recntly reckoned a 996TT would cost about £5k per yr in running costs if used daily - and he's owned loads of them!
I heard that the UK bosses told Japan bosses it really means Flipping Quick
Ah, I've read somewhere (Autocar?) that they told Japan the designation stood for 'Fine Quality'...
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