The new high-performance...

The new high-performance Mitsubishi, which is scheduled to appear in the firm’s UK showrooms early next year, will be offered with the option of a conventional five-speed manual gearbox or a brand new two-pedal clutchless set-up.

Bosses in Britain are expecting a huge 80 per cent of Evo X models to be specified with the paddleshift box, which operates in three modes. Although drivers always have manual control, they can choose from Normal, Sport and – most severe of all – Super­sport settings. The final mode has been designed for use on trackdays, allowing changes to higher gears only when they are absolutely necessary to keep the revs near the red line at all times.

Standard Evo X models will be more expensive than the outgoing IX, with entry-level 300bhp variants costing more than ?30,000. UK-tuned FQ versions won’t be added to the line-up until early 2009.

For anyone who can’t stretch to the Evo’s price and running costs,

a 260bhp Ralliart-badged five-door Lancer will be offered for less than ?25,000. Meanwhile, bosses have also pledged their intent to bring the electric-powered Mitsubishi i to UK dealers as soon as possible. The plug-in city car won’t be produced until 2010, when it joins the petrol variant, on sale next month.