Tokyo, Japan - It's no secret that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution as we know it is due for the chop. It's been in production in its present form for seven years - although it seems to have dated hardly at all - and 2015 will almost certainly be its final year.
More than that, there are apparently no plans for a replacement; according to Mitsubishi staffers, the iconic 'Evo' is a car "whose time has come and gone".
And now, almost as proof, here's a teaser image from Mitsubishi HQ in Minato, Tokyo of the Lancer Evolution X Final Concept - a near-production preview of the very last 'Evo Ten', which will premiere at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2015.
WORTHY 'SAYONARA'
And, if all we see here is carried over to the production line at the Mizushima plant in Okayama, it will indeed be a worthy 'sayonara' for the breed.
The two-litre GEMA four has been tweaked 'til it squeaked, with a new HKS turbo, new intake and exhaust plumbing, and a new ECU. The result is a screaming 353kW, delivered to all four wheels (of course) through a five-speed manual 'box.
The Final Concept rolls on HKS height-adjustable sports suspension and 19" forged-alloy rims, and is finished in matte black with twinkly new trim, set off by gloss black on the roof and rear spoiler.
We're waiting on a reply from Mitsubishi SA as to when the Evo X Final Edition will be released in South Africa - but judging by the R699 900 sticker price on the current, 217kW Evolution X, it will be both scarce and expensive when it does land here.