New Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X FQ-330 SST: 329HP, 0-100km/h in 4.4sec

The British always liked to fettle around with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and the tenth generation model is no exception. Now they have come up with yet another higher-power version of the Lancer EVO X that goes by the name FQ-330 SST. This F....g Quick (honestly, that's what it stands for) combines the upgraded FQ-330 engine to the 6-speed Twin-Clutch Sports Shift Transmission. Under the hood, the 2.0-liter turbo engine benefits from a bevy of improvements.

These include an ECU re-map along with the addition of a high performance exhaust and downpipe, an intercooler piping kit, racing suction pipe, and upgraded CAT, all of which help deliver an additional 36 bhp and 22 lb ft over the FQ-300 SST, for a total output of 329bhp at 6,500 rpm and 437Nm (322-lbs/ft) at 3,500 rpm.

The result is a 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.4 seconds, or 0.3 seconds faster than the FQ-300 SST, and a top speed of 250 km/h or 155mph.

In the UK, the FQ-330 SST is available immediately for order. Buyers can choose among four different colors - Cool Silver (M), Orient Red (M), Lightning Blue (P) and Phantom Black (P), all of which are included in the basic price of £35,999, which is £3,000 more than the standard FQ-300 STT variant.

	FQ-300 SST	FQ-330 SST
Max. output (bhp) / rpm)	295 / 6500	329 / 6500
Max. torque (Nm (lb ft) / rpm)	407 (300) / 3500	437 (322) / 3500
0-62 mph (secs)	4.7	4.4
Max. Speed (mph (kph)	155 (250)	155 (250)
Price	£32,999	£35,999

Standard equipment:

• Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC)
  
• 18" Enkei alloy wheels
  
• Brembo braking system, including 2-piece front brakes
  
• Eibach coil springs
  
• Bilstein shock absorbers
  
• HID xenon headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
  
• Recaro front seats
  
• Bluetooth hands-free system
  
• Leather sports steering wheel with audio controls
  
• Front, side, curtain and knee airbags
  
• Privacy glass
  
• Front fog lamps
  
• ISO Fix
  
• Automatic headlamp and wiper sensors
  
• Remote central locking
  
• CAT1 approved alarm/immobiliser
  
• CAT5 approved tracker system + 1 year free subscription
  
• HDD satellite navigation system
  
• Rockford premium audio & Music Server – 6 premium speakers + subwoofer
  
• iPod/MP3 auxiliary input port

Southeast Motor to Unveil V3 Lingyue in Shanghai

One of the lesser -if at all- known Chinese automakers, Southeast Motor, has announced that it will reveal the V3 Lingyue hatchback at 2009 Shanghai auto show next week. Like the sedan variant of the V3 Lingyue that was introduced in China in late 2008, the hatchback model is based on a platform of a previous generation Mitsubishi Lancer with power provided by a 1.5-liter MIVEC four-cylinder engine that was fine-tuned for the Chinese market by the firm's partner, Mitsubishi Motors.

EuroNCAP's Revised Safety Ratings for Six New Cars Including Mazda6, Avensis and Impreza

The European organization for the assessment of vehicle safety has published the first results under its updated rating system. Up until now, Euro NCAP made three separate ratings available for each vehicle, but with the new system there's an overall rating for every car covering Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection, Pedestrian Protection and a new area of assessment, Safety Assist which takes into account systems such as electronic stability control (ESC) and seat belt reminders.

Of the six cars tested under the new ratings system, four managed to achieve Euro NCAP's maximum award of five stars: the Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Avensis and Toyota iQ. Citroen's C3 Picasso minivan and the Subaru Impreza were both awarded four stars.

According to Euro NCAP, with the exception of the Subaru Impreza, all the other cars failed to impress on pedestrian protection.

After the announcement of the results, Mitsubishi and Subaru both said that they would change their ESC (electronic stability control) fitment policies for the Lancer and Impreza, as variants of these models without optional ESC were offered in some Euroepan countries.

Euro NCAP's new rating scheme requires all safety equipment, including ESC, to be standard on 85% of volume sales and at least optionally available on every variant.

Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback and Ralliart: 41 High-Res Photos

Less than a week before the new Lancer Sportback and its 240HP Ralliart sibling make their world debut at the Mondial De L’Automobile in Paris, Mitsubishi released a full set of images of both versions of the 5door Lancer hatchback or as we prefer to call it for apparent aesthetic reasons, hunchback. Hit the jump to check out our high-resolution image gallery or click here to read the initial details on the new Lancer Sportback range. -Continued

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart 240HP 2.0-liter Turbo

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback