Evo-based sports car: X-works concept uses Evo IX power

While other low-volume specialist sports car makers are starting to make use of Subaru Impreza running gear, the X-Works X1 Concept uses the Mitsubishi Evo IX’s four-cylinder turbocharged engine and four-wheel-drive transmission.

Created by automotive design engineers Andrew Borrowman and Sean Prendergast, the X1 features a carbonfibre composite tub to which aluminium and carbon subframes for the engine and suspension are attached. Kerb weight is quoted at 1180kg, while a 1000kg track verson is being considered.

When the X1 was unveiled at the Autosport show in January, the bodywork had only been finished a couple of days previously, but the car is now scheduled for wind tunnel work at a facility in Moscow. Prendergast believes that because so much development was done on computer in the early stages, the wind tunnel tests shouldn’t throw up too many surprises.

First customer cars are expected to be produced by the end of the year at a price of around £45,000.