In this exclusive feature for LA Muscle.TV, see why the FQ in Mitsubishi Evo VIII MR FQ340 is rumoured to stand for 'F##king Quick as its driven hard around closed-roads in the South of England.
Owner, Jamie Higglet gives you low-down on why the Mitsubishi Evo VIII is quoted as being the best of all the Evo's, boasting 0-60 time of little over 4 seconds, and a limited top speed of 155 mph.
Produced from January 2003  March 2005,  sporting new features from its predecessors, such as Super Active Yaw Control to handle traction and a 6-speed manual gearbox, as well as a aluminium roof panel to help reduce body weight and lower the centre of gravity to realize more natural roll characteristics, the Mitsubishi Evo VIII has since been succeeded by two further evolutions. All of them share a two litre, turbocharged engine and four-wheel d rive system.
 
The Evolution was originally intended only for Japanese markets but demand on the 'grey import' market led the Evolution series to be offered through RalliArt dealer networks in the United Kingdom and in various European markets from around 1998
 
The FQ340s bigger brother  the FQ400, has one of the highest specific output per litre of any roadcar engine, and was demonstrated that it could surprisingly keep up with a Lamborghini Murcielago around a test track. In a similar test conducted by UK supercar magazine evo, the Evolution was able to lap the Bedford Autodrome faster than an Audi RS4 and a Porsche Carrera 4S.
 
The Lancer Evolution VIII was also the first Evolution to be sold in the United States, spurred by the success of the Subaru Impreza WRX which had been released there just three years prior. The Evolution VIII found its true competition in the Subaru Impreza WRX STI model the same year as the Evolution VIII's US introduction. However, the internal components for the American versions were largely stripped-down versions of the specifications for the Japanese Lancer Evolution VIII.
Most Evolution VIIIs have a carbon fiber rear spoiler with matching body-color endplates. Furthermore, the US version of the Lancer Evolution VIII 2003-2005 were given bulkier rear bumpers than their J apanese counterparts to accommodate US safety laws in the form of the metal rear crash bar. All Evos have lightweight aluminum front fenders and hood. MR Editions come equipped with 6-speed transmission, bilstein shocks, and factory optional BBS wheels.
 
In 2008, the latest generation Lancer Evolution X was launched worldwide, and featured an all-new 291 hp (217 kW) inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine and a full-time all wheel drive powertrain.