|
Price |
|
£49,999 |
Production |
|
-- |
|
Engine |
2
liter inline-4 |
Weight |
-- |
|
Aspiration |
turbocharged |
Torque |
387
lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |
|
HP |
403
hp @ 6500 rpm |
HP/Weight |
-- |
|
HP/Liter |
201.5 hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
-- |
|
0-62 mph |
3.8
seconds |
Top Speed |
155
mph (electronically limited) |
(from Mitsubishi
Press Release) FQ-400 – THE FASTEST AND MOST EXTREME LANCER
EVOLUTION EVER RELEASED BY MITSUBISHI MOTORS in the UK
-- List price from
£49,999
-- On sale – June 2009
-- The most powerful, accelerative Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
to date
-- Peak power of 403bhp @ 6,500rpm; peak torque of 525Nm @
3,500rpm
-- 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds (est.); top speed 155mph
(electronically limited)
The tenth version of
Mitsubishi’s iconic Lancer Evolution models has a new performance
flagship model to top its range, the FQ-400.
Extreme Evolution
The Mitsubishi Lancer
Evolution X FQ-400 is the fastest and most extreme version of
Mitsubishi’s motorsport derived machine. With 403bhp and 387lb.ft of
torque on offer from its advanced, lightweight aluminium 2.0-litre
turbocharged MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic
Control) petrol engine the FQ-400 is able to reach 62mph from
standstill in an estimated 3.8 seconds before reaching an
electronically limited 155mph – where permitted.
Traction and handling
Ensuring all the
FQ-400’s power is put to good use is Mitsubishi’s sophisticated
Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) four-wheel-drive system which
appropriates power to the wheels that can best use it, giving the
FQ-400 quite sensational cross-country performance.
The S-AWC system combines a number of electronic systems that both
enhance the FQ-400’s performance and safety, with Active Stability
Control and Active Centre Differential, Active Yaw Control and Sport
ABS giving the FQ-400 incredible cornering ability, traction and
grip. Depending on the conditions the driver can select the most
suitable set-up for the S-AWC system, three choices – Tarmac, Gravel
and Snow – being offered via the wheel-mounted button and displayed
in the central instrument binnacle.
Cornering stability
Increasing the FQ-400’s
cornering ability even further over its FQ relatives is a wider
track and lowered suspension featuring Eibach springs and Bilstein
Shock Absorbers. Lightweight 18-inch, nine spoke alloy wheels fitted
with Toyo Proxes R1R tyres enhance the FQ-400’s grip, giving it
sharper cornering response on the road and more incisive steering.
The enhanced agility and performance is backed by a revised braking
system which uses aerospace grade aluminium alloys and floating
sealed discs grabbed by high performance pads.
Extreme Power
To achieve the
incredible 403bhp from just 2.0-litres Mitsubishi has had to
significantly revise the FQ-400’s advanced powerplant. Motorsport
specification high-flow fuel injectors are fitted to the aluminium
cylinder head and a new hybrid turbocharger is also fitted. The
higher specification turbocharger features low-friction bearings, a
high temperature turbine and strengthened thrust bearing to increase
response and reduce turbo lag. Feeding the turbocharger cooled air,
improving its performance and efficiency, is an enhanced
intercooler, while the exhaust’s gasses flow from the engine via a
3-inch diameter high flow stainless steel piping and catalytic
convertor before exiting through a centrally positioned exhaust.
Mitsubishi has remapped the Engine Control Unit (ECU) extensively
with over 500 hours of development time to allow its 2.0-litre
turbocharged engine to not just produce its exceptional output but
to do so with excellent driveability. The FQ-400’s acceleration is
sensational, it pulling hard through the gears regardless of engine
revs. With peak torque of 387lb.ft on offer from just 3,500rpm, the
FQ-400 is just as able to trickle through town traffic as it is
taking a rally special stage.
A ‘nod’ to the Evo VI
The FQ-400 looks every
bit the rally refugee too, giving a strong ‘nod’ to the styling cues
of the legendary Evolution VI, and builds on the already aggressive
style of its Lancer Evolution X FQ relatives.
A heavily vented bonnet helps heat escape from the FQ-400’s
turbocharged engine and a new lightweight composite front bumper
incorporating Mitsubishi’s trademark ‘Jet Fighter’ grille features
carbon-fibre elements on its leading edges. Additional lighting and
High Intensity Discharge (HID) lights mark out the FQ-400’s nose,
its added aggressiveness further enhanced by a 30mm drop in front
ride height. Composite side skirts, a re-styled rear bumper with a
carbon fibre diffuser, a rear wing incorporating a gurney strip and
a roof-mounted ‘Vortex Generator’ all help manage airflow and
cooling.
Behind the 18-inch lightweight, nine spoke alloy wheels it’s
possible to see the Alcon brakes on the front, while the Toyo Proxes
R1R tyres underline the FQ-400’s potency with their aggressive ‘cut
slick’ tread pattern. Inside, the driver is held tightly against the
FQ-400’s sensational accelerative, braking and cornering forces in
Recaro bucket sports seats, the range-topping Lancer Evolution X
also gaining an FQ-400 liveried handbrake handle and carbon fibre
gearknob.
No compromise
Despite its obvious
focus the FQ-400’s suspension offers compliance thanks to the Eibach
Springs and Bilstein Shock Absorbers, the FQ-400’s usefulness as a
daily driver not compromised overly thanks to Mitsubishi’s chassis
tuning. The stiff bodywork not only provides an exceptionally rigid
platform for the suspension to work, but excellent crash-worthiness,
the Lancer Evolution X attaining a five-star score in Euro NCAP’s
independent crash tests. The FQ-400’s S-AWC and its incorporated
stability, traction and braking systems helping avoid an accident in
the first place. Even so there’s reassurance of seven airbags, seat
belt pretensioners and ISO Fix child seating all included in its
standard specification.
Fully loaded
Standard equipment for
the range-topping Lancer Evolution X model is comprehensive, the
FQ-400 coming with Bluetooth hands-free telephone connection, a
CD-tuner with 30 Gig hard drive, DVD satellite navigation and
privacy glass. Convenience features like remote central locking,
automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers increase the FQ-400’s ease
of use, the huge performance it offers not coming at the expense of
usefulness. Like its Lancer Evolution X relatives it features
comfortable seating for five as well as a usefully sized boot, the
FQ-400 bringing all the convenience of the standard saloon car it’s
based upon – but with explosive performance potential.
Setting the standard
Standard it’s not
though, instead the FQ-400 is a standard setter, with performance
that’s the measure of any rival and many exotic sports and supercars
costing many multiples of its £49,999 list price. Available from
June 2009, the FQ-400 is covered by a three year / 36,000 mile
warranty.
