Mitsubishi Evo VIII FQ-300

The iconic Lancer Evolution V was a sensation, the VI was incredible, the VII left us wondering how fast a 2.0-litre car could be... And now Auto Express has got its hands on one of the very first Evolution VIIIs in the country. Is it as spectacular as its predecessors?

With a revised turbo engine, uprated four-wheel drive and a new six-speed gearbox, the car certainly promises to be better than ever. And there's more good news. Priced from ΂£26,995 for the 'mild' 276bhp entry-level edition - the 'wild' FQ-300 we drove is ΂£28,995 - the Evolution VIII is better value, too.

But it's not all as thrilling as it could be. Where previous Evolutions have boasted significant changes in styling, the VIII looks more 'seven-and-a-bit' than all-new. Alterations are limited to revised bumpers, lights and grille. New badges and a bigger bonnet cooling vent will be noticed only by anoraks, ditto the rear wing - which is now mounted further back. It's a similar story inside. Figure-hugging seats, a plain dashboard and a shirt button-sized steering wheel dominate.

But under the skin, far more has changed. Mitsubishi is keen to trumpet its new Super Active Yaw Control System, which replaces the VII's Active Yaw Control System. As before, this offers three settings - tarmac, gravel and snow - which improve the car's stability in progressively slippery situations, and are controlled from the dash.

While the system makes no difference to straight-line acceleration, the car now responds more quickly to the driver. Tarmac mode causes it to turn more aggressively into bends than before, forcing power to the rear wheels. In gravel mode, the Evo feels more settled and in snow mode more stable still.

It's all down to the way power and braking force is split between the axles and wheels. The system won't stop you losing control of the car, but it'll help if you make small mistakes. On the track, it'll turn an average driver into a hero.

The trouble is, you'll find that's the way you will need to drive all the time. While Mitsubishi has pitched the Evo VIII as an everyday car, it's still one of the most focused 4WD saloons around.

Despite revised suspension, the ride remains very firm. The steering (at less than two turns lock-to-lock) is as direct as that of a Caterham. With at least 300bhp and 400Nm of torque, the 2.0-litre engine is a bit of an animal, too. Great in-gear performance means you're constantly shifting through the well weighted six-speed box. However, the throttle is a bit of an on/off switch, and doesn't deal with indecision well - fine on a track, but not ideal in heavy traffic.

But this won't bother any of the 230 customers who've paid their deposit. Potential drivers will be more interested in the 4.9-second 0-60mph time and 157mph top speed. Fleet drivers will recoil in horror at CO2 emissions of 334g/km, but they aren't being targeted. "These Evos are selling to collectors, who may already own a couple of expensive sports cars," said one insider.

And from what we've experienced, they will be impressed. Even if you've climbed out of a Ferrari 360 Modena, you'll still be taken aback by the Mitsubishi's power. Nevertheless, current Evo drivers are likely to feel this car is not the revolution we've come to expect.