By Fiona Paterson
Mitsubishi is focusing its development money more on expanding its electrified footprint, which is bad news for Lancer Evo fans. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution ended production in 2016. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is one of the many impressive cars from Mitsubishi’s vintage portfolio. And though the Lancer Evolution is gone, its fans and the company’s shareholders have apparently not forgotten. Do you think Mitsubishi will eventually revive the Lancer Evolution or return to stage rally?
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Is dead and it's not coming back - at least not for nowThe automotive industry is fast-paced and not everyone manages to adapt. Mitsubishi is a perfect example as the once glorious carmaker has gradually been reduced to making cheap and boring vehicles. Mitsubishi is not in a good place financially and axing their pride and joy – the Lancer Evolution – speaks louder than any words about Mitsubishi’s declining situation. TOPSPEED VIDEO OF THE DAYAccording to Mitsubishi Motors CEO and President, Takao Kato, the Lancer Evolution simply does not make any financial sense, despite investors pushing for the resurrection of the iconic model, discontinued in 2016. Despite the brand’s planned return to motorsports and the resurrection of Mitsubishi’s Ralliart Racing Division, the “Evo” will remain in the past, at least for now.
Mitsubishi’s newest teaser could mean a new Evo 11 conceptMitsubishi hasn’t had a Lancer Evolution since 2017Subaru’s WRX STI desperately needs a Japanese competitorWe miss the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution dearly. Sounds an awful lot like Ralliart helped on cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, doesn’t it? It looks an awful lot like the diffuser of the now-dead Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10, complete with rain light. Mitsubishi said there won’t be an Evo 11The 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII | National Motor Museum via Getty ImagesHowever, despite the potential for a new Evo 11, we have to address some issues. However, Kato also told Response there were no plans for a new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
The Mitsubishi Lancer - named after a soldier of the cavalry regiment in Europe's knightly age-debuted on the world stage in 1973. Styled for superior aerodynamic drag and a robust monocoque chassis for increased performance, the very first Lancer was powered by engines using Mitsubishi Clean Air technology. It was the first 1973 model to be certified as having a low-pollution engine by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. After nearly three decades and a successful run in Europe and Asia, the Lancer launched in the United States in 2001, powered by a 2.0-liter engine producing 120 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque.
And from a car enthusiast perspective, there's seldom any reason to discuss Mitsubishi, except nostalgia for the Lancer Evolution. The Lancer Evo was the production version of Mitsubishi's title-winning rally sedan from the late 1990s, basically the Mitsubishi equivalent of the Subaru WRX STI. The Lancer Evo seems like a car that could put Mitsubishi back on the map — indeed, Mitsubishi shareholders have specifically requested it. Mitsubishi turned a deficit while investing in electrification; therefore, he believes the company needs to be on a firmer footing before investing in a car like the Lancer Evo. Although, paradoxically, the Lancer Evo is the exact sort of car that would get more people paying attention...and, ultimately, buying Outlanders.
Rumours have surfaced that Mitsubishi might answer the calls of car enthusiasts across the globe and bring back its four-wheel drive performance car, the Lancer Evo. Autocar has reported that the successor to the Mitsubishi Evo X could be built on the new CMF-C/D F4 platform, an architecture developed by the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance. The 11th generation ‘Lan Evo’ (as Initial D connoisseurs refer to it) may share elements with future Renault Sport Meganes. It’s this drivetrain that the Evo XI could be equipped with, but rather than powering just the front wheels, Mitsubishi’s version will be adapted to make it four-wheel drive. If previous Evos, and even Mitsubishi’s current SUVs, are anything to go by, it’ll be a very trick four-wheel drive system with S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control).
The Lancer Evo X Final Edition is old news down to everything, save for the silly badges that Mitsubishi used to try and differentiate it from a normal Evo X. (Full Disclosure: Mitsubishi wanted me to drive a Lancer Evolution X Final Edition so badly that it dropped one off at my office with a full tank of gas. The DriveI will say, though, that everyone needs to drive an Evo X at least once in their lives. This Final Edition is the very last Evo X. AdvertisementSee, the very idea of a brand new Evo X, in this day and age, Final Edition or not, is a joke.
