MITSUBISHI'S fearsome tenth generation Lancer Evo will hit Britain's roads this Spring with top specification versions costing just shy of £38,000.

The new Lancer Evolution X is available in three main trim levels - the GS, GSR and GSR SST (Sports Shift Transmission) and three power output levels (300bhp, 330bhp and 360bhp) from the same 2 litre turbocharged petrol engine.

Performance and grip technology is at the heart of the Evo X so the GS (priced from £27,499) includes Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) with Active Centre Differential (ACD), Active Yaw Control (AYC), Active Stability Control (ASC) and Sport ABS.

To this is added; 18in Enkei alloy wheels, Brembo braking system, including 2-piece front brakes, Eibach coil springs, Bilstein shock absorbers and HID Bi-Xenon headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS).

Cabin specification features; Recaro front seats, Bluetooth hands-free system, CD / Tuner with 6 speakers and MP3 compatibility, leather sports steering wheel with audio controls, privacy glass and CAT5 approved tracker system with 1 year's free subscription The GSR trim level (£29,999) improves on this with: HDD satellite navigation system, 30GB music server, Rockford Fosgate premium audio - 650watt output, 6 premium speakers + subwoofer and iPod / MP3 auxiliary input port.

Topping the range is the GSR SST featuring a new 6-speed Twin Clutch SST (Sports Shift Transmission) gearbox with steering column mounted magnesium paddle shifters.

A switch located at the base of the gear selector allows the driver to choose between Normal, Sport and Super Sport modes.

As well as the Evo versions the New Lancer will be available in standard saloon format (in four trim levels - the GS1, GS2, GS3 and GS4) and later in the year as an estate - prices start at £12,499.

Both the Evolution and standard Lancer models are based on Mitsubishi's Project Global' platform.