Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution X (ten) goes on sale in the UK on 1st March, still six weeks away, but the car has already left the grid when it comes to sales performance.

Mitsubishi bosses in the UK are considering extra factory orders for the car following an “overwhelmingly positive reception” at the Autosport International Show 2008 and positive press reviews - even before launch.

Orders have been coming into Mitsubishi’s Head Office and via its dealer network since February 2007. A minimum customer deposit of £1,000 secures one of the first examples of this legendary motoring icon. Sales have accelerated further since pricing and specifications were announced in December. The company has even built a special “micro site“ at www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/evolutionX, where customers can register their interest, access information and leave a deposit to reserve a car.

The Lancer Evolution X already has 400 confirmed orders representing 100% of the total expected stock for March registration. Jim Tyrrell, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK said, “This is a stunning response to this all-new performance car legend and will represent a record month for Lancer Evolution sales. We’re now taking orders for April delivery”.

Both the 5-speed manual and 6-speed Twin Clutch – Sports Shift Transmission (SST) versions of the car received great interest at the Autosport International Show as the Mitsubishi stand was swamped with onlookers. Lance Bradley, Mitsubishi’s Sales and Marketing Director stated that, “The number of people at our stand for the duration of this show is yet further evidence of the broad appeal of this new Evolution. People are excited by even the small details designed into the car – like the tiny spoiler built into the rear wheel arches to maximise brake cooling and manage airflow around the wheel housing - and they are delighted to see that we’ve kept the FQ power upgrades in place.”