There’s a ridiculous amount of trims and packages across the Evo 8 and 9 lineup, and even the Evo X. There’s plenty of nerdy details within each one, and if you want to know more, but don’t want to scrub the internet for hours at a time, we’ve got you covered.
Table of Contents
GSR
Available on Evo 8, 9, X
The standard US market car. Depending on the year, you’re working with 271 to 286 hp, a 5 speed, Recaro seats, Enkei 17s, and ACD on the 2005+ cars. Definitely the most common form factor.
RS
Available on Evo 8 & 9
Nearly 150 lbs lighter than the GSR, with an aluminum roof, helical front LSD, and no A/C, radio, rear wing, or power anything. Only came in Rally Red or Wicked White. The 2006 Evo 9 RS saw just 358 units, so finding a clean one now is one hell of a side quest.
MR
Available on Evo 8, 9, X
The top of the lineup came with a 6 speed, Bilstein/Eibach suspension, forged BBS 17s, an aluminum roof, and HIDs. 276 hp on the Evo 8 MR, 286 on the 9. If you wanted the best Evo Mitsubishi would sell you, this was it. 3,667 of the 8,201 Evo IXs built were MRs.
SSL
Available on Evo 8, 9, X
An option package on the GSR, not a standalone trim. It added a sunroof, upgraded Infinity audio, full leather seats, and HIDs for buyers who wanted a bit more class without paying MR money.
SE
Available on Evo 9
Slotted between the GSR and MR at $33,249. You got forged BBS wheels in diamond black, HIDs, red stitched Recaros, MIVEC, and a 5 speed.
GT
Available on Evo 9
A Japan Domestic Market exclusive that never made it to US dealerships. It ran RS mechanicals with GSR comforts, pairing a 5 speed, ACD, and the mag titanium turbo wheel standard, which is only an option on the GSR. Power windows, A/C, and HIDs were in, but SAYC, BBS wheels, and the 6 speed were not. Most of you never had a shot at one new, and maybe never even heard of one.
FQ-300 & FQ-320
Available on Evo 8, 9, X
About 305hp/326hp respectively, and the entry point. Both still had stock internals, light supporting mods and a basic retune. This is probably the best option if you're looking for the FQ street cred, but want to handle the modifications yourself.
FQ-330 & FQ-340
Available on Evo 8 & X
~324hp/345hp respectively, and are your next step up the food chain. Both featured some bolt-ons including upgraded injectors, a more substantial retune, and some upgraded materials throughout.
FQ-360
Available on Evo 8, 9, X
~354hp. These models often featured new suspension, upgraded turbos, and some cool carbon additions throughout. Think of it like graduating from Hot Sauce to Fire Sauce at Taco Bell.
FQ-400
Available on Evo 8 & X
At 405hp, this is the final boss. The 400 had just about everything you can think of from a performance perspective. It also has unlimited street cred, owed in part to Jeremy Clarkson. Look up "Top Gear Evo vs Lamborghini" and you'll see what we mean.
FQ-440
Available on Evo X
Released in 2014 to celebrate Mitsubishi's 40th anniversary in Great Britain, the FQ-440 was limited to just 40 units. It features some awesome carbon additions, and producing 440hp/412 lb-ft of torque, it scoots from 0-62 mph in just 3.8 seconds!
Evo 8/9/X Trim FAQ
Quick answers to the most-searched questions about Evolution trim levels, packages, and FQ tunes. Each answer leads with the fact, then gives you the detail.
What's the difference between the Evo GSR, RS, and MR?
The GSR is the standard trim, the RS is the stripped-down lightweight version, and the MR is the top-of-the-lineup trim. GSR came with a 5-speed, Recaro seats, and Enkei 17s, making 271-286whp depending on year. RS ditched nearly 150 lbs of comfort features — A/C, radio, rear wing, power everything — in favor of an aluminum roof and a helical front LSD. MR added a 6-speed, Bilstein/Eibach suspension, forged BBS 17s, and HIDs for the most complete factory package Mitsubishi sold.
What is the Evo RS trim?
The RS is the lightweight, track-focused trim built for people who wanted weight out, not comfort in. It shed close to 150 lbs versus the GSR by cutting A/C, radio, rear wing, and power accessories, and it added an aluminum roof and helical front LSD. It only came in Rally Red or Wicked White, and only 358 units of the 2006 Evo 9 RS were built — one of the harder trims to find clean today.
What is the Evo MR trim, and how is it different from the GSR?
The MR is the range-topping trim, sitting above the GSR with a 6-speed transmission, Bilstein/Eibach suspension, forged BBS 17-inch wheels, an aluminum roof, and HID headlights. Power landed at 276hp on the Evo 8 MR and 286hp on the Evo 9 MR. Of the 8,201 Evo IX units built, 3,667 were MRs — nearly half the run.
What is the SSL package on the Evo?
SSL is an option package on the GSR, not a standalone trim. It adds a sunroof, upgraded Infinity audio, full leather seats, and HIDs — built for buyers who wanted more comfort and features without stepping all the way up to an MR.
What is the Evo SE trim?
The SE was a 2005-only trim on the Evo 9, priced at $33,249 and slotted between the GSR and MR. It came with forged BBS wheels in diamond black, HIDs, red-stitched Recaro seats, MIVEC, and a 5-speed transmission.
What is the Evo GT, and why didn't it come to the US?
The GT was a Japan Domestic Market-exclusive Evo 9 trim never sold at US dealerships. It combined RS mechanicals with GSR-level comfort — a 5-speed, ACD, and the magnesium/titanium turbo wheel that's an option-only item on the US GSR — plus power windows, A/C, and HIDs. It skipped SAYC, BBS wheels, and the 6-speed. Most US Evo owners never had a shot at buying one new.
What do the FQ numbers mean (FQ-300, FQ-330, FQ-360, FQ-400, FQ-440)?
FQ trims are UK-market performance tiers, and the number is roughly the horsepower rating. FQ-300/320 sit at the entry point (~305-326hp) with stock internals and light supporting mods — the easiest starting point if you want to handle further modifications yourself. FQ-330/340 (~324-345hp) step up with upgraded injectors and a more substantial retune. FQ-360 (~354hp) adds an upgraded turbo, new suspension, and carbon parts. FQ-400 (405hp) is the top factory-built tune, made famous by Jeremy Clarkson racing one against a Lamborghini on Top Gear.
What is the Evo FQ-440?
The FQ-440 is the highest-output Evo FQ trim, released in 2014 to mark Mitsubishi's 40th anniversary in Great Britain. Only 40 units were built. It makes 440hp and 412 lb-ft of torque, runs 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds, and adds carbon exterior pieces not found on lower FQ trims.
Which Evo trims came on the Evo X?
The Evo X carried over the GSR, MR, and SSL trims, plus the FQ-300/320, FQ-330/340 (badged differently on X vs 8), FQ-360, and the UK-exclusive FQ-440. The RS, SE, and GT trims were Evo 8/9-only and never made it to the X.
What's the rarest Evo trim?
By production numbers, the 2006 Evo 9 RS and the FQ-440 are the two hardest to find. Only 358 units of the Evo 9 RS were built, and Mitsubishi limited the FQ-440 to just 40 units worldwide for its UK 40th-anniversary run.
Comments (0)
There are no comments for this article. Be the first one to leave a message!