As it was in the beginning, so shall it be in the end.
This Biblical proverb proves to be quite fitting when it comes to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Final Edition. The limited-edition farewell model, like the early generations of the Evo, 
will not be available for customers in the U.S. Instead, to put a cap on 10 generations (and 23 years) of the souped-up Lancer sedan, Mitsubishi will build 1,000 examples of the Lancer Evolution X Final Edition to be sold in Japan only.
The Lancer Evo has been around since 1992, but it wasn’t until the eighth-gen Evo VIII was introduced in 2003 that this rally ready compact sedan was made available to customers in the U.S. That being said, the subsequent versions of the car have proven to be incredibly advanced in terms of both performance and handling, culminating with the Evo X, which debuted in 2007 and is the longest-living Evo model to date. Unlike the Lancer Evo X Concept Final that was unveiled last year in Tokyo, the Evolution X Final Edition is far more subdued, but it is still expected to be an improvement over the standard car.
Continue reading to learn more about the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Final Edition.
Exterior
Giving the Lancer Evolution X Final Edition a slightly different look than other Evo X sedans, Mitsubishi added a few unique touches to this car, including black chrome grille, 18-inch BBS wheels and gloss black lower fascia trim and hood vents. Adding to the exclusivity, the Final Edition will only be available in five exterior colors (red, white, blue, black or grey) with two options (white or black) for the painted roof, and, of course, there are the “Final Edition” badges.
Interior
Inside, all Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Final Edition will come standard with black Recaro sport bucket seats with red accent stitching and a serialized dash plaque.
Drivetrain
Mitsubishi has yet to confirm power output for the Lancer Evolution X Final Edition, but the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder will get new sodium-filled exhaust valves. These new valves are expected to boost horsepower above the 300-horsepower mark (up from the current 291-horsepower output), but it definitely won’t come close to the 473-horsepower rating of the Lancer Evo X Concept Final, which featured a reprogrammed engine controller and an HKS turbo. Starting life as the Lancer Evo GSR, the Final Edition will only be available with a five-speed manual gearbox, but it will get upgraded suspension components from Bilstein and Eibach as well as standard Brembo brakes.
Prices
Orders for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Final Edition opened last month with deliveries taking place in August, and each car is priced starting at 4,298,400 Japanese Yen, which converts to around $36,000. Considering the limited production and instant collectability of this model, that price seems extremely reasonable, especially when you consider that the current 2015 Lancer Evolution GSR starts at $34,495.
Competition
2015 Subaru WRX STI
The Evo and Subaru WRX STI have been archrivals from the beginning, but the super Subie will now stand as king of the hill. New for 2015, the current WRX STI is arguably one of the best-handling cars priced under $40,000, and its 305-horsepower boxer engine delivers plenty of power. Starting at $34,495, the Subaru WRX STI is no cheap date, but this car offers all the performance you need regardless of whether you’re heading to a road course, rally circuit or drag strip.
Read our full review of the 2015 Subaru WRX STI here.
2016 Volkswagen Golf R
Perhaps the only other sport compact with enough power and handling to be mentioned in the same breath as the Evo and STI is the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R. Although its $36,595 starting price is higher than the Mitsubishi and Subaru, the Golf R might have the best powertrain with its 292-horsepower turbocharged engine, VW’s proven 4Motion all-wheel drive and the advanced six-speed DSG transmission.
Read our full review of the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R here.
Conclusion
For budget racers and tuners alike, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution name has become an icon, and while the U.S.-spec Evo will quietly exit stage left following the 2015 model year, the car will get the send-off it deserves in the Japanese market. While this is the end of the road for the sedan-based Evolution, the name is expected to live on in the future as a version of the next-gen Outlander Sport that uses some sort of electrification to improve performance.