Evo X: set to score a perfect 10?

Last year's Concept-Sportback and Concept-X design studies provided good early indications of what to expect from Mitsubishi's eagerly anticipated Lancer Evolution X, but the recently unveiled Prototype-X has filled in a few more blanks.

Word has it the final production variant will differ little, if at all, from the latest concept.

Seeing as it's based on the all-new Lancer sedan, the Evo X is literally a clean-sheet design that will carry over nothing from its predecessor. By contrast, the existing Evo IX is a bit like the proverbial grandfather's axe, tracing its origins back to 1992.

It's hardly surprising, then, that Mitsubishi boasts the Evo X will be the fastest, most powerful one to date and that its advanced technology represents the "largest leap in overall capability between two generations of the Evolution."

Given the already staggering dynamic capabilities of the Evo IX, it's almost hard to fathom how the newcomer will perform.

The venerable 4G63 iron-block turbo four that has served the Evo so well thus far will finally be laid to rest, and its place will reside a new-generation all-alloy unit that promises added oomph and cleaner-running characteristics.

How much more oomph? Well, Mitsubishi isn't saying yet, but informed gossip suggests the final quotient will be on the plus side of 220kW -- or three hundred horses in the old scale.

Peak torque should also move north from the Evo IX's 355Nm quota to something approaching 400Nm.

As per the current car, the standard transmission will be a five-speed manual, but Mitsubishi's boffins are also working on a six-speed sequential unit. No word on whether it uses the excellent dual-clutch technology pioneered by the Volkswagen Group.

Predictably, Evo X will feature the latest electronic chassis-control wizardry, including the S-AWC automatic center diff that splits the power to the front and rear, with Mitsubishi's Active Yaw Control rear diff and Active Skid Control stability control keeping all that turbocharged fury under control.

The new-generation Lancer is both longer (by 100mm) and wider (by 60mm) than its forerunner and its wheelbase has also stretched by 35mm. Apart from boosting interior space, this should also bring some stability benefits -- not that the Evo IX is lacking in this department.

We should point out here that the Evo X won't be the only turbo Lancer in the line-up, as the range will also include a force-fed Ralliart variant. To put things into perspective, the Ralliart will be to the Evo what Subaru's Impreza WRX is to the WRX STi.

The Ralliart will offer a meaningful bump in power, torque, and overall capabilities versus its garden-variety Lancer brethren, but it'll do so without encroaching on the Evo's turf.

Given that it'll be up against the WRX, expect the Ralliart to kick out 160-170kW and cost in the low $40K bracket.

Mitsubishi Oz has confirmed that we're in the firing line for both the Evo X and the Ralliart, but you'll have to wait until 2008.