The Evo is back! Well, sort of – Mitsubishi has teased the e-Evolution Concept that will make its world premiere at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show next month, but the car on which the infamous nameplate will return will likely make diehard enthusiasts wince. Yes, as we’ve all expected, it’s an SUV.
More than that, the “e” prefix on its name means it’s a hybrid, albeit an all-wheel drive one tuned for “very high performance.” A sole rear-end shot shows a “SUV coupé” design that’s different from other off-roaders in Mitsubishi’s stable like the Outlander, ASX and Eclipse Cross, with T-shaped tail lights, a rakish rear windscreen and a cut in the C-pillar that gives the car a floating roof look.
This suggests that the next Evolution will be a standalone vehicle and not an extensively modified version of a mainstream model, although the production car will likely still be built on the bones of the Eclipse Cross – another SUV wearing a moniker originally reserved for a sporting model.
Gamers will probably remember that the diamond brand once designed a Concept XR-PHEV Evolution as a Vision Gran Turismo car for Gran Turismo 6, an SUV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, all-wheel drive and a Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamic control system.
What do you think of Mitsubishi’s attempt at bringing back the Evolution name? Sound off in the comments section after the jump.
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as long as it fits the current market demand, whatever name they use is irrelevant..
btw Carlos is really a genius, since his intervention, he has brought up legendary nameplates to life.. good one!
Mitsu on flying colors.
since bogeyman P1 left .
bring back the real evolution please.
the original Evolution name actually appeared on Mercedez Benz 190E, and not Mitsubishi Lancer.
Carlos Ghosn, please don’t do this.
There is still a place on earth for the return of a Mitsubishi Evolution sedan (yes, the Lancer name can die off) to ensure the Subaru WRX isn’t lonely. The Honda Civic is a good looking sedan/4-door-coupe-ish but is no performance beast. Nissan doesn’t have a flagship 4 door 4WD sedan, it doesn’t need one to detract the halo away from the GT-R. So you have an opportunity to bring this car back considering your alliance with Renault and Nissan. Just don’t break our hearts on put it on an SUV, no matter how sporty it could be.