SPY PHOTOS: Mitsubishi Evo X

From concept to reality

After teasing enthusiasts with concept after concept, Mitsubishi finally showed the Prototype X Concept at the NAIAS in Detroit last January - and it is that very concept that will evolve into the production version of the Lancer Evolution, affectionately known as the Evo X. Officially arriving as an early 2009 model (in the first quarter of 2008), the Evo X will be powered by a turbocharged version of the 2.0-liter I4, and will be equipped with an AWS system - complete with stability control. In the same category as Subaru's WRX and the upcoming Nissan Skyline GTR - the all-wheel-drive system - known as Super-All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) - may make this the best handling vehicle in its class. Even under the camouflage, we can see that the sheet metal on this test car is identical to that of the Prototype X Concept, although we doubt the LEDs will make it all the way to production - but even the head restraints on this vinyl-clad car match those on the shiny red concept.