Last Evo in the line is Frighteningly Quick

Mitsubishi's Lancer Evo X has effectively debuted via the Detroit show-starring Prototype X concept, but there's still life in the Evo IX yet.

As if to prove it, here's the just unveiled Evolution IX MR FQ-360, which is essentially the final hurrah for the ageing, but still blisteringly capable, turbo AWD missile.

Conceived by Mitsubishi's UK arm, just 200 examples of the MR FQ-360 will be offered for sale in Blighty, wearing a sticker price just over $86K.

In case you're wondering about the rather elaborate moinker that it wears, the 'MR' stands for Mitsubishi Racing, while the 360 hints at the 366bhp (273kW) punch that it packs. As for the FQ, that may well stand for Frighteningly Quick?

The FQ-360 could attain collector's status as it's the final iteration of a car that can trace its roots back to the original Lancer Evolution of October 1992. Since then, success on the rally stage has been accompanied by a continuous evolution of the road car.

In the case of the FQ-360, it comes from Japan with a modified turbo comprising titanium aluminium alloy turbo fins and a reduction in the compressor wheel inlet diameter. These measures are claimed to improve the engine's response throughout the rev range.

When the cars arrive in the UK, further engine development work is carried out by the local Ralliart team and independent specialists HKS. The end result is 273kW at 6800rpm and 492Nm of torque at 3200rpm. Clearly, these represent decent hikes over the standard Evo IX's outputs of 206kW and 355Nm.

Mitsubishi UK bills the FQ-360 as a "practical, five-seater saloon car that can sprint from 0-60mph (96km/h) in just 3.9 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 157mph (251km/h)."

The engine upgrades are accompanied by suspension tweaks that bring Eibach springs that lower ride height by 10mm at the front and 5mm at the rear, which Mitsubishi UK claims enhances the car's high speed stability and allows the Super Active Yaw Control (Super AYC) system to function more effectively.

Visual clues that distinguish the FQ-360 include a new carbonfibre front lip spoiler, a rear carbonfibre vortex generator and 11-spoke Speedline Turini alloy wheels. These are shod with Yokohama ADVAN AO46 235/45 ZR17 tyres and house a Brembo braking system.

Inside, the Recaro seats have been redesigned with 'IX MR' motifs, the dashboard panel is now finished in 'Piano Black' and there are 'Lancer EVOLUTION' aluminium scuff protectors on the door frames.

The Evo is signing off the way it arrived, with a resounding bang...