Fellow PlayStation generation, the bad news is here. While the Subaru WRX STI is still going strong against modern German alternatives, it looks like the Scooby’s all-time nemesis, the Mitsubishi Evo, will meet its end soon. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, of course, as if there had been a succession plan for the seven-year-old Lancer-based model, it would have been out by now.
What is a genuine surprise, however, is that the much-heralded Evolution lineage will be continued by a high-performance hybrid SUV model. This shocker was confirmed by Mitsubishi product boss Kanenori Okamoto, who told Autocar UK that “it (the Lancer Evolution) will not exist as we know it. It will be replaced in spirit by an SUV with high performance.” Oh bummer.
Whether this high-riding Evo will be a dedicated stand-alone model or one based on an existing SUV, we don’t know just yet. But if you want to have a clue on how such a vehicle can look, just take a look at the Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV Evolution. Designed for use in Gran Turismo 6, perhaps it’s rather apt that a new PlayStation generation-favourite is previewed on the PS3.
It will surely inherit some technologies used on the all-electric MiEV Evolution race car, which Mitsubishi has fielded in the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for the past three years. All-wheel drive should be a given, and the Mitsubishi SUV Evo will surely give the Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG a good run for its money once it’s out. On to you, what do you think of this?
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV Evolution
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Well, wouldn’t Mitsubishi still need to produce a new Lancer? Or are they pulling out from the C-Segment market(compact market in USA)completely?
They have a C-segmenter in the form of the Outlander Sport (also known as the ASX in Malaysia). But really, who knows what they will do with the Lancer nameplate. They haven’t revealed much of anything besides a really old bit of news (link below) saying that they’ll rebadge a Renault C-segment car as the new Lancer.
http://paultan.org/2013/11/05/renault-nissan-mitsubishi-deepen-relationship-mitsubishi-launch-c-segment-d-segment-cars-based-renaults/
There hasn’t been anymore development besides that, however.
Those who have been watching Mitsubishi closely shouldn’t have found this surprising. The signs were pointing in this direction all this while and a very interesting direction they chose. It seems to be a culmination of all their current strengths: high performance all wheel drive vehicle expertise, SUV expertise and a strong electric powertrain as shown in their recent Pikes Peak challenge.
I’m seriously looking forward to what the future of Mitsubishi might be. They are still going through on their transformation. The old Mitsu fans will hate it but those who do not embrace change will face obsolescence, irrelevance and eventually extinction.
mitsubishi…wtf?
Kanenori should duck off and fie.
SUVS are as boring as s#*t.
No more update for proton inspira
..or an opportunity for Proton to come up with their own design…the glass is either half-filled or half-empty..
They can’t do that using the current platform. If I recall correctly, they had certain restrictions on the modifications they could make. And if Mitsubishi doesn’t want to extend the collaboration, then Proton will be forced to either drop the Inspira or design a new Inspira using a different platform.
proton will do their usual tactics…..face lifting until cow comes back. They are expert in recycling old products.
Change bumper, change lamps, put new sticker, put new colour of the paint, change rims, etc….
***yawn***
Hello bro don’t like what Proton do no need to bash lo..
What a waste & what a lost..from the manufacturer who used to build exciting cars like the Starion, Galant VR4, 3000GT, Colt Cyborg, FTO and of course the long lines of Lancer Evos..
R.I.P Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution series (one of the legend car in WRC and International Motorsports.
First Ralliart, now the Lancer Evo. And the WRC is now dominated by hot hatches… the era of rally-bred saloons are now gone.
How I loved the Evo 6.
Yes, agree. And Mitsubishi doesn’t even have a hot hatch anymore. It’s af if the sporty spirit of the company have been replaced by eco-friendliness and follow-the-pack mentality.
Japanese auto industry’s golden era is definitely gone now.
With the exception of Nissan GTR and LFA, there hasn’t been any desirable cars that came out of the land of the rising sun since. AND both those cars are completely out of reach for the average buyer.
The good old days of EVO vs WRX are gone. This will mean WRX will become soft and slow as well.
The Toyobaru 86 is set to be another one off. It didn’t trigger huge sales numbers the way it had been aniticipated. So Honda, Mazda can’t even be bothered to respond and compete.
Goodbye Japanese auto, and Hello German auto!
I wont be so quick to discount the japanese marques. yes, it does look bleak for now, but there remains a silver lining. Mazda is looking for a sports car revival in the new MX5. Honda is working on their new Type R.
It may be so that now, enthusiasts will be looking at hot hatches more than rally breed saloons, legacy from the rally world that switched to Hatchbacks.
As a long time follower of the Mitsu’s Turbo AWD lineage, having owned 5 cars with the 4G63, this is indeed bad news. But all is not lost. They will be remembered as legends in their own right. They will be revered and respected for being giant slayers powered by small little 4 bangers.
inspira handling is better than the ori lancer.. yes, i’m serious.
i own an inspira, good fuel? yes certainly, if u r not driving it not to serve the “mivec” rev range, all is fine except Proton eff-ed the rear suspension..feels like riding a pondan back.
Please be real, if given a choice, Langkawi price, both same price or original cheaper, then what are you going to buy? Obviously most smart consumer will be going for original, unless you are the special one, or probably brain washed (my perception like those ISIS)?
NSX pleaseee….
Who said Japanese sports cars are dead… Lexus just launched their RC F, Honda NSX is on the pipeline, Euro Civic Type R is coming to Europe market next year with a goal set to beat the class record on Nurbugring track. It’s Mitsubishi problem to revive their racing spirit. Even their legendary Dakar Pajeros also gone…
should put Evo name to dead for good.
Mitsubishi is an idiot, Lancer Evolution fans will hate and Subaru Impreza will not have a nemesis so why they don’t think???? Mitsubishi don’t want money? good then close the shop and DONE!!!!!!!!