In Japan, for more than a decade now, the WRX STI and Evo have "tracked" each other, just as Mustangs and Camaros once did on a regular basis in the U.S.
Subaru might seem to have the upper hand right now with the WRX STI Spec C, which enters the fray as a lightened, toughed-up homologation special designed with Group N domestic rallying duties very much in mind. It's 66 pounds lighter than stock, and its 2.0-liter turbo flat-4 pounds out a high-response 304 horsepower. Depending on whether you want 17- or 18-inch tires, Spec C stickers span the equivalent of $35,478 - to $38,793 in Tokyo at current rates.
At Mitsubishi, the Lancer Evolution X corner is uncharacteristically quiet just now, with no go-faster Evo in the works to counter the new Scooby. Instead, for the real Evo action, you need to head for the U.K. where an ever faster, more outrageous series of FQ-series Evos continue to appear courtesy of Mitsubishi's official U.K. importer.
The latest is the Lancer Evolution X FQ-400 with a 2.0-liter turbo engine massaged to produce an eye-watering 403 hp and 387 pound-feet of torque, miles ahead of what's officially available in Japan.
Described as the most extreme, most powerful and accelerative version of Mitsubishi's Evo to date, the artfully named FQ-400 with its race-tuned engine blitzes from zero to 60 mph in less than 3.8 seconds and has a limited 155-mph top end.
Suspension, brakes and wheels are totally revised to cope with the huge power jump, yet the FQ-400 is not totally raw and uncivilized. It comes with such niceties as DVD satellite navigation and a CD tuner with 30GB hard drive and is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile official warranty.
In the U.K., the explosive FQ-400 starts at $82,347.
And speaking of the U.S., Subaru of America spokesman Dominick Infante confirmed to Inside Line in an e-mailed message that the Spec C is "a Japan domestic market car only. None for the U.S."
Inside Line says: A terrible shame that this fight can't be brought Stateside. — Peter Nunn, Correspondent
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