I was reading one of the European car magazines at Borders, Car or Evo, and it stated that the new Euro Evo VIII has an upgrade option called FQ-300 and the FQ320 comming very soon. According to their road/track test this option bumps the hp to 300 (320 in the FQ320 option) through the addition of a new mufler and an ECU upgrade. But further more, the Evo gets a ACD. The cost is roughly $3000.

Anyone know more about this?

 

ive read about it...doubt we'll see it, if the evo got rocked by the sti then mayb, but since we beat them in every comparo then they are probably content...

-shahul

 

needs to get off their asses and bring this bad boy over to the states. Even if you are the best, there is always room to be better.

 

I wonder if it has anything to do with our insurance rates or our litigation rates versus the UK or Europe.

I agree that Mistubishi probably has no need to add such an insurance/legal/warranty hassle here.

 

The Euro/JDM Evo VIII's already have ACD stock from the factory. It's not part of the upgrade "FQ" package.

SC~

 

Well, here's the official info:

FQ300 spec

main page

 

I doubt Mitsu will bring this over.. One if it has a new ECU..that is a problem for us US people..didn't they say when they were bringin the evo 8..that they were having some difficulty wit emmisions?? Cuz or else why wouldn't they just have brought the full blown Evo here?? (wit the 276hp "claim")

 

Hello Guys. I'm from the U.K. and actually have an Evo VIII FQ300.
The FQ300 performance upgrade is carried out by the U.K main official Mitsubishi importers (Colt Car Company), after the car arrives in the country from Japan. The car is then delivered to the local Mitsubishi dealer with the FQ kit fitted. I couldn't get a detailed list of the performance upgrade from my local dealer nor Mitsubishi U.K. I've had the car for about 2 months now and it is fully ran in with 1000 miles covered. I have crawled all around the engine bay and underneath the car to see what performance parts were added, thinking naturally they would be ralliart items however I was wrong! It's all HKS tuning parts.
The exhaust system is an HKS Super Dragger from the cat back, the air filter element is a green HKS item and the Intercooler upgrade an HKS solid pipe kit connected with HKS silicone hoses. I cannot confirm if the FQ kit has an upgraded E.C.U as I'm getting different answers from different people. My guess is that it isn't, as the standard U.K Evo gives at least 276 bhp, so with the HKS exhaust and air filter it would be feasible to gain another 24 bhp without adjusting fueling, ignition and boost levels of the E.C.U. Hope this info has been of use......

 

TRANSMISSION
Transmission Manual
Manual 6 speed
Gear ratios 1st 2.909
2nd 1.944
3rd 1.434
4th 1.100
5th 0.868
6th 0.693
Reverse 2.707
Final gear ratio 4.583


Here's what we need over here! and an electronic sequential paddle shifted clutch mechanism as well to pick one of those 6 gears.

And with a 3100 lb Curb weight, somethign says it a bit lighter over there too by 150 lbs.. hmmmmm.

 

From EVO Magazine
Mitsubishi Evolution VIII FQ-300

The 301bhp FQ should be even more awesome than the standard Evo VIII


Last month's test of the new Evo VIII at the Bedford Autodrome was a little overshadowed by the performance of the unlikely Porsche Cayenne Turbo, but the Evo's superb lap time suggested that in the contest that matters, against the new Subaru Impreza STi, the Mitsubishi has moved the game on. The Evo lapped the West circuit a cool 2.3sec quicker than the Impreza managed (evo 053), and that was a Prodrive-massaged STi with 300bhp. Not only was the Evo quicker, it was tidy, precise and undramatic. A deeply impressive performance.

And now Mitsubishi Motors has announced this, the 'FQ-300', a more powerful version with just over 300bhp and 300lb ft of torque. It costs £28,995, exactly £2000 more than the standard 276bhp model, and is identified by a drainpipe-like exhaust, carbon-trimmed boot spoiler, standard-fit front foglamps, and a smattering of FQ-300 badges.

Like the regular Evo VIII, the FQ is effectively a Mitsubishi-approved grey import - full European Type Approved Evos aren't due until next year. For now the official UK importer, Mitsubishi Motors, has to put all its Japanese-spec Evos through Single Vehicle Approval (SVA), which includes adding a rear fog lamp and a speedo marked in mph and changing the convex door mirror glass for flat. The cars are also fully undersealed and get the same extensive warranty afforded all other Mitsubishis.

The FQ upgrade is done here in the UK and the power is essentially gained through a reprogrammed ECU and that chunky exhaust back-box. The rest is standard Evo VIII, which means a stack of premium branded hardware including Brembo brakes, Recaro seats and Enkei five-spoke alloys shod with Yokohama Advan A046s. There's also Super AYC (Super Active Yaw Control, which is said to increase the cornering limit by 10 per cent over the Evo VII), and a new Active Centre Differential (ACD) for the four-wheel-drive system - instead of a viscous coupling it's now a faster-acting and more controllable electronically actuated multi-plate clutch. Together Super AYC and the new diff give the Evo VIII a quite different feel to the VII at the limit, and we had ample opportunity to push the new car hard because the launch of the FQ was based, somewhat ironically, at the Prodrive test track.

Mitsubishi Evolution VIII FQ-300

The first things that strike you about the Evo are how supportive the seats are and how responsive the engine is from modest revs. Part of the reason the plain-sounding in-line four feels frisky from low speed in, say, third gear, is because the Evo VIII now has a six-speed to match that of the Impreza STi. The main reason, though, is that the FQ's delivery is much more progressive than the STi PPP's, power building strongly from just over 3000rpm and ramping up smoothly towards 6000rpm, instead of arriving in a great rush just before 4000rpm.

On the previous generation Evo the extra effect of the FQ upgrade was quite noticeable, but on the various VIIIs I was able to try, I didn't feel there was any more than the Japanese standard 276bhp. Perhaps the sheer competence of the car disguises it, and competent it most certainly is.

But don't for a second imagine that that means dull. Instead, think effortlessly, amazingly responsive and uncannily well-controlled and tidy at the limit. Through high-speed corners it remains beautifully neutral, even a sharp lift and turn failing to unsettle it. The broad-block tread pattern of the Yokos suggests they're biased towards dry road grip but the Evo is surprisingly grippy and well-controlled on slippery, low-speed surfaces, too.

Super AYC has a greater scope to control the behaviour of the car than AYC had, being able in cornering to channel almost twice as much torque to the outside rear wheel - up to about a 40 per cent difference across the axle. Both the more responsive centre diff and Super AYC are controlled by the same computer and work together like an electronic dynamic stability control system. However, instead of braking individual wheels and throttling back the engine, they seek to employ the power being fed into the Evo's four-wheel drive system. The upshot is that it takes an awful lot of provocation to get the Evo to understeer or oversteer greatly. Mostly it simply follows the steered line, and even when you do induce a tailslide its recovery is quick and very neat.


It helps that the spring and damper set-up of the Evo VIII is finely judged. There's perhaps a little more roll than you'd expect, but this seems to have no detrimental effect on steering response or overall agility. Indeed, on the road the steering can feel almost too sharp occasionally, the expected smidgen of understeer you made an allowance for simply not materialising. The Evo feels light, alert, lithe and its firm ride never feels agitated. It's easy to get into a smooth, fast rhythm on a challenging road, something that can't be said of the Impreza STi. The only gripe is the sticky shift of the new six-speed 'box and the fact that it doesn't feel as absurdly rapid as the previous FQ-300. Perhaps the FQ-320, due soon, will sort that out.

Some 54 UK Mitsubishi dealers are designated Ralliart outlets and they've taken over 230 orders despite not having an Evo VIII in their showrooms. Lance Bradley, Mitsubishi's director of marketing, says these dealers have not only been trained to fettle the Evo but also to deal with grey imports that come in part-exchange. He's confident that 900 Evo VIIIs will find homes this year. That seems a little ambitious, but only because there is a finite number of customers for big-winged 4wd Japanese turbo saloons.

The standard Evo VIII is unquestionably one of the best there has ever been, possibly the best. Shame that on this showing FQ stands for Fairly Quick... relatively speaking, of course.

 

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII FQ-300 (from TopGear Magazine).

The world is split up into two kinds of people. Dog people or cat people. Either you go for the playful, faithful, cute canine chumps or you favour those evil feline bastards. And the population gets polarised in other ways too. You either like New York or Los Angeles, Picasso or Van Gogh, PCs or Macs, but never both. You can see where I'm going with this, can't you?

When it comes to rally-bred sports saloons, you either lean towards the Subaru Impreza or the Mitsubishi Evo. And somehow, it seems that every month there's a new iteration of one or the other or both. You may ask, how is this Evo different from those that have gone before?

The standard Evo VIII has 276bhp. This FQ-300 has even more power and torque. That same two-litre four-cylinder engine has been tuned to extract 301bhp and 300lb ft of torque, 11 more than the standard model. The claimed 0-62mph time is 4.9 seconds - four-tenths quicker than standard. Although the top speed of 157mph remains the same.

Figures, schmigures. You only need to know one thing: it's quick. Turbo power comes in at around 3,250rpm and then it's only a second or two before you reckon you've achieved enough velocity to escape the Earth's gravity.

The FQ-300 moves and reacts about as fast as you can think. It feels balanced and sharp. You can tune into what each wheel is doing. The steering is quick and precise. Information on how much grip there is (usually loads and loads) goes directly to the parts of your brain that are instinctive and reflexive. Suddenly, I'm tweaking the throttle and correcting the steering with ease and speed, or I'm dabbing the superb brakes like I'm completely used to the car.

The Momo wheel is a perfect size, the seats are firm and snug... hey, the gearchange is sticky and vague. In a sudden change of direction (easy in this car), I hit upon a down-side. The six-speed manual 'box is not the slick changer that I'd like. If I don't concentrate enough, I'll miss a gear or select the wrong slot. Maybe it needs more running-in miles, but it really needs to feel like second nature to go with the rest of the car.

Other downsides? The dash design is a bit dull, but I'm getting enough thrills from other areas. Yes, the cabin's noisy and the ride is extra, extra firm. That's the nature of the beast. And it's fine by me.

The big question is: does the £:28,995 FQ-300 represent a better buy than the standard model that's only 25bhp shy, but £:2,000 cheaper? I suppose it would be nice to have the top-of-the-range Evo, but I'm still to be completely convinced.

One last little thing. I parked it outside the house of a friend of mine. Nearby, a group of teenagers were hanging around. When they saw the car they started doing the 'we are not worthy' actions. I guess I should have told them it wasn't my car, but it was easier and quicker to just smile and nod. I did feel, though, that I had encountered some kindred spirits who also preferred dogs, Picasso, New York and, of course, the Mitsubishi.

Colin Ryan

 

That is awsome, who would have thought...........
I guess that means that Mitsu needs to warranty all of our HKS parts on our Evo's

 

I subscribe to Evo and CAR and have read all about the current and previous generation FQ (which stands for F&&KING QUICK) cars. The numbers are for the HP output. Since I've spent only $1500 or so, and my car is now an "FQ-330" (soon to be FQ-350), I think we're getting a better deal.

FQ-350 specs: RMR downpipe, RMR intake, RMR exhaust, RMR reflash.... dyno-proven

 

Hello Chris in HB.
There are several reasons why I bought the FQ300 upgrade from the main Mitsubishi Importer here in the U.K, but the main reason is that the standard warranty which is 3 years of unlimited milege, is uneffected by the "official" modifications. Standard U.K Evo VIII's have been dyno proven to 285-290 bhp so I'm hoping that the FQ300 upgrade will be more like 310 bhp. As soon as the engine loosens up another couple of thousand miles I'll get it on the dyno to see what it will produce. Also standard Evo VIII's in this country don't come with high intensity gas discharge headlights nor front fog lamps. These are only available as optional equipment, whereas the FQ has these as standard. The Evo VIII basiclly comes in two official models. Either standard or an FQ300.
You are correct what you are saying about the price (£2000) for not a massive bhp increase, but we have tuning shops over here like Norris Designs and RC Developments, that could have probably given me 380-400 bhp for the same money, however if I had an engine melt or blow big time or even a diff explode it would be massive money to put right as Mitsubishi would not warrant such mods. Dealers will look for any excuse not to repair our cars under warranty. I bet even if we fitted an aftermarket exhaust to a standard Evo it would invalidate the standard 3 year warranty. But hey, after the warranty is up who cares.

 

I envy you in many respects - but look out for those Gatsos!

I have thought many times about moving to England since I love football and the cars you have. However, all the legislation and the idiot mayor of London have given me pause...

Good luck with the FQ package! Should be great.