The end of the Mitsubishi Evo
Enjoy that Mitsubishi Evo while you can, because the next one will be very different
Turns out the answer is yes, probably, but it's definitely the end of the line for the three-box, turbocharged four-cylinder template started by the Lancer EX2000 Turbo in 1981 (the first to use the 4G63 engine).
"We must make another fun-to-drive car, but we can't just make another Evo," Gayu Uesugi, Executive VP of Mitsubishi Motors, told PistonHeads.
Okay, so will it be based on the new Lancer replacement due in 2014? "We can't say." Does it have to be a saloon? "I don't think so." What powertrain will it use? "We must include new demand, especially for environmentally friendly aspects. One possibly is in-wheel electric motors," Uesugi told us, repeating earlier statements reported here on PH about a future green Evo.
This isn't really a surprise. Mitsubishi is shifting its focus to more frugal cars, aiming for 20 per cent of its sales to be electric or hybrid by 2020.
"Up until now Mitsubishi has focused on driveablility, sports mobility and SUV development," general design manager, Hiroaki Ohtsuka, told us last week in Tokyo. "That showed in our design, but now we are shifting focus to a more environmental aspect," he said, confirming the 'jet-fighter' grille that debuted in 2008 on the Evo X (and expanded range-wide) is now dead.
So, Ohtsuka-san, what do you think the new Evo should look like?
"If a new generation Evo will come, as a designer, I would like to focus on the aerodynamics because it doesn't have a good aerodynamics at the moment."
That might be something to do with the whopping great spoiler. So will you get rid of that? "If that reduces the drag, then yes, the spoiler will have to go. I want to make it look more sophisticated," he told us.
Don't despair though. Mitsubishi can't possibly forget how to make fun handling cars. Take away this scrap of comfort. The twin-electric engine tech in the forthcoming plug-in hybrid Outlander allows for a much faster, more responsive version of S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control). There's hope yet for Evo, even if it lives on in name and handling ability only.
A lot of people turn their noses up at the Evo ( including quite a few on here) becasue of the image it protrayed. I bet the majority of those have not even driven one.
For those who have driven one I'm sure will agree that its one of the most exilirating cars to drive. This car gives more of a 'OMG I just pissed all over myself' than 99.5 % of cars out there including many new supercars.
very sad news
Sad news that the end of an era is coming... I'll just leave this:
very sad news
that's absurd!
If less frequently I would go for a VI (lighter, and more raw driving experience). Not because they are more fragile (they arent) but because the 8/9 have nicer interiors and more creature comforts.
But I defo think the better ones such as the Evo VI Makinen and similar Imprezas will start to gain in value as classics in the future.
RIP Evo, hopefully this is not the end.
0 - 62mph - 3.9 seconds
366BHP
363lb ft @ 3200rpm
Had a rather past passenger ride in a (bright yellow ) VIII FQ-330. I agree about it having more comfort and a bit more sophistication for the daily grind, but it still unleashes the beast inside if you want it to.
I think the Makkinen Special will be a future classic.
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