First the Eclipse, now the Lancer. According to AutoExpress, it appears that Mitsubishi is working on a radical revival of the Lancer moniker, not as a conventional C-segment saloon, but rather a funky crossover that will rival “everything from the Ford Focus to the Toyota C-HR.”
As weird as that may sound, the Japanese company, which is now part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, is enjoying a rapid growth in sales. Now, the firm’s boss, Briton Trevor Mann and chief designer Tsunehiro Kunimoto have started work on replacements for all of Mitsubishi’s current SUVs, as well as a new generation of small cars and the Lancer.
Mann told the British publication that the direction of the Lancer is close to being finalised, and he also gave a strong hint of what size of vehicle will carry the badge. “We have a long-range product plan that’s pretty solid until 2025, and a dotted line beyond that,” he said. “Within that what we’ve said is, ‘which vehicles do we want? What are we going to work on?’ We’re going to replace [the] ASX, Outlander and Triton. Then we have these two boxes: Pajero and Lancer.
“Lancer’s probably the easiest one; we believe we’ve got a solution that could fit the segment. Because if you look globally, the C-segment hatchback [Golf and Focus] market is not shrinking. It’s down a bit in the US and Europe. But its numbers are still expanding in China. So there is appeal. And I think because the segment is so large globally, we’ve got to take a look at it,” added Mann.
Kunimoto said the design direction previewed by the e-Evolution Concept is ideal for a smaller vehicle. “Just because it’s C-segment doesn’t mean it has to be a very conventional hatchback,” Kunimoto said. “Maybe we can create a new type of hatchback vehicle. We’re thinking quite radically. Originality is as much a part of the Mitsubishi design philosophy now as consistency.”
Mitsubishi will quite likely build the new Lancer based on the Alliance’s latest CMF C/D platform, one with enough footprint and flexibility to support a crossover with the design just like the e-Evolution. The platform could potentially offer a driveline with front- or all-wheel drive, including the fitment of Mitsubishi’s own hybrid systems.
Currently, the e-Evo Concept uses three high-torque electric motors – one powering the front wheels, and a pair of them at the back forming a new Dual Motor Active Yaw Control (AYC) system. Combined, the triple motor layout sets up a unique Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamic control system, which Mitsubishi says will provide crisp and nimble handling across all road conditions.
GALLERY: Mitsubishi e-Evolution Concept
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Amazing product. Just positioned 1 segment below P1 Boyue, this Lancer crossover sell like hotcakes.
Ugly Model. Not only that Almost latest upcoming models like Mitsubishi Xpander, Mitsubishi Outlander and Mitsubishi Triton. Moreover, Interior of Mitsubishi models is getting more and more boring and Mitsubishi design is getting outdated. Compare to other Japanese Model such as Toyota, Honda design is getting much better, better safety features, better equipment and features. I recommend you to buy Toyota or Honda
And by 2030, the SUV Evo will be reborn as pick-up truck Evo. Triton Evolution. Lols.
Why must every damn model must be a crossover? Those middle income people who bought crossover will cry baby when it’s time to replace those tires…
The M40 people should buy P1/P2 “if” they cry when its time to replace those tires.
What about mitsubishi FTO & GTO?
They combined it to become mitsubishi GTFO
Why dont just give it a new name? People who buy SUV will not care if it is named Lancer, Eclipse or Evolution, but the fans of these models will hate it become SUV.
I can’t agree more. Mitsubishi is tarnishing those beautiful names. Why can’t they save them for future sedan models? Buying SUV might just a short term trend.
Package in China as Dragonlancer and watch the sales soar… anyway if this design makes it to production, it will be more radical than the CHR. Are we moving toward s future where cars eventually looks like something from Gundam series?