Mitsubishi Might Bring Back the Lancer Evolution, and It Wont Be a Crossover

Mitsubishi Might Bring Back the Lancer Evolution, and It Wont Be a Crossover
  • a new report from u.k. magazine autocar says the mitsubishi lancer evolution will be returning as a four-door sedan or hatchback.
  • it will likely ride on a renault-nissan-mitsubishi platform and use a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
  • the resurrected evo would be the eleventh generation of the legendary model.

    when mitsubishi brought back the eclipse name on a new crossover, the eclipse cross, fans were incensed, to say the least. a new autocar report says that mitsubishi is bringing back an even more iconic name: the lancer evolution. but don't worry, the 11th-gen evo won't be a crossover. citing anonymous japan-based sources, autocar says the evo xi will be available as either a four-door sedan or, for the first time, as a four-door hatchback.

    autocar says the resurrected evo will ride on a renault-nissan-mitsubishi platform, an evolution (no pun intended) of the one that underpins current models like the infiniti qx50 and the renault mégane. it will likely share its powertrain with the next-gen renault mégane rs, which has a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four mated to a dual-clutch automatic transmission. a mitsubishi-developed all-wheel-drive system is a sure bet, using the same s-awc tech as the evo x. the most powerful current mégane rs makes 300 horsepower, but the new evo could add a hybrid system to boost power closer to 350 horses.

    the last evo x (pictured in this story) was sold in 2016, while the standard lancer lived on in the united states for a bit longer and is still available in other markets. this new report makes no mention of whether there will be a new generation of the regular lancer; we could see one happening, as there is a compact-sedan-shaped hole in mitsubishi's current lineup. autocar also doesn't say when the new evo will appear. we wouldn't be surprised to see some sort of concept car at the 2019 tokyo auto show in october, with the production car coming out in within a few years.

    now, there still could be a chance of an evolution crossover. mitsubishi has released a number of concepts over the years that hinted at an evo suv—including one from 2017 that even used the evolution name—and when the evo x was dying there were rumors swirling that it would be replaced by a hybrid crossover. but even if a lancer evolution sedan does happen, mitsubishi could seize the opportunity to create a family of evo models, including a crossover. we'll just have to wait and see how mitsubishi's future lineup evolves. pun intended.

    source:caranddriver.com