Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Final Edition lands

MITSUBISHI'S strictly limited Final Edition Lancer Evo will send the hi-po sedan out with its biggest ever bang, and a power boost that adds 9kW and 48Nm but only $800 to the price tag.

Priced from $53,700 before on-road costs, the Lancer Evolution Final Edition will be limited to just 150 examples on Australian turf and will be offered only with a five-speed manual gearbox, as well as a host of performance-focused enhancements.

The Japanese car-maker has not released performance information but with a total of 226kW and 414Nm from its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and permanent four-wheel drive, the final Evo X is expected to better the zero to 100km/h dash of the regular Evo.

Power has been enhanced partly with the use of sodium-filled valves, which are lighter and dissipate heat more effectively, allowing higher combustion temperatures and engine speed.

The hollow valves are driven by an evolution of Mitsubishi's MIVEC variable valve timing and lift system, while the single turbocharger is connected by a stainless exhaust manifold, which feeds the dual tailpipes – also in stainless.

Its extra performance is reined in by beefier two-piece Brembo brake discs at the front end and uprated Bilstein dampeners all round, which are complemented by Eibach springs.

Final Editions can be differentiated from their more conventional counterparts with a black roof that contrasts choice of Starlight White, Tungsten Grey or red, while customers wanting something more understated can opt for all Phantom Black.

The BBS 18-inch alloy wheel design is unchanged from the unlimited Evo X but, for the special edition, the rims are licked in “satin platinum” with a gold centre cap.

The darker touches continue with a smoked chrome effect surround on the grille, gloss black centre bumper and bonnet air outlets and a matching Final Edition badge for the boot lid.

Unique embellishments continue on the inside with Recaro bucket seats upholstered in part black leather and highlighted red stitching, with the same treatment for the steering wheel, handbrake lever and gear knob.

The limited version also gets a black roof-lining and more Final Edition badging on the bespoke floor mats as well as flashing up on the multi-information display on start up.

Owners are reminded of their piece of Australian Mitsubishi history with a build plate indicating the serial number from AU0001 to AU0150.

Safety features including a reversing camera, seven airbags, Sport ABS with EBD, ASC, Mitsubishi's patented safety cell and Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC).

The permanent four-wheel-drive system has three settings to provide optimum traction on sealed surfaces such as asphalt, loose surfaces including gravel and very slippery conditions such as snow and ice.

Unlike Evo X SST variants, the Final Edition will not be offered with a dual-clutch automatic transmission, which adds $6000 to the cost of the standard Evo X.

The Final Edition may be the last version in the coveted Lancer Evo bloodline, but Mitsubishi Motors executive director of marketing Tony Principe said its legacy would live on in the technology of future models.

“While the Lancer Evolution has reached full maturity as a high-performance four-wheel drive sedan, Mitsubishi Motors will continue to apply technology honed from the Lancer Evolution like Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) four wheel drive system, to other vehicles, as with Outlander PHEV,” he said.

“The Lancer Evolution is integral to Mitsubishi’s notable motoring heritage and we are proud to round off this chapter with such a fitting tribute.”

The Lancer has been previously offered in other global regions with more grunt including a UK-only FQ-440 MR which produced 330kW, while Melbourne-based tuners Team Mitsubishi Ralliart built an Australia-only limited edition version of the X known as the Evolution Bathurst Edition, in 2010.

Rated at 247kW, that car produced more power than the Final Edition but less torque with 436Nm on tap.