Mitsubishi Evo IX FQ360 (2006) CAR review

Yet another FQ car from Mitsubishi - aren't these faux-rally cars a bit out of favour at the moment?

True, but after ten minutes behind the wheel of the UK-only FQ360, you’ll wonder why. It's an absolute belter. Utterly driver-centric, unfeasibly fast, with incredible body control, excellent damping, and superb steering. To cap it all, it has four-doors-and-a-boot practicality. It may not be the flavour of the day, but there's no denying the Evo's supercar-slaying qualifications.

Always the same with an Evo. What makes this one really special?

Its sheer drivability, in a nutshell. While the majority of the FQ line-up major in frenetic redline acceleration, the 360's 4G63 2.0-litre engine has been retuned to deliver massive mid-range punch, without sacrificing any of its high-rev potency. A completely reprogrammed engine management system - three months of non-stop key-tapping by the boffins at Ralliart, Mitsubishi's go-even-faster department - as well as inclusion of a new high-pressure fuel pump system and a high flow catalytic converter results in 366bhp at 6887rpm and a huge 363lb ft at a lowish 3200rpm.