- Mitsubishi engineer admits the dream of a new Lancer Evo remains alive.
- Future Evo could use hybrid power with advanced all-wheel-drive control.
- Project must prove feasible before earning approval for full-scale production.
The automotive world has changed considerably since the last Lancer Evolution bowed out in 2016, a period that’s seen Mitsubishi shift toward more profitable ventures and roll out several rebadged Renault models across Europe.
Even so, fans of the brand’s rally-bred icon still have reason to keep the flame alive. The Lancer Evolution remains a recurring topic within Mitsubishi circles, a (sad) reminder that the company’s performance DNA hasn’t completely faded.
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At the recent Japan Mobility Show, Mitsubishi pulled the wraps off several new models, including the Elevance three-row SUV concept, an updated Delica D:5 crossover minivan, and a new generation of the Delica Mini kei car. What it didn’t show was a performance model.
But in an interview with Australian outlet Drive, Mitsubishi engineer Kaoru Sawase hinted that the spirit of the Evo isn’t entirely dormant.
“We have a dream, of course, for the Lancer Evolution. It’s my personal dream,” Sawase said. Asked whether a new generation could ever happen, he added, “We have a variety, a range of technologies on hand.”
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Sawase’s comment likely points to Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid systems, potentially paired with the Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) setup he helped develop. He also acknowledged that any future Evo would need to embrace electrification, noting, “I fully understand electrification performance for the vehicle dynamics.”
What Could It Be Based On?
Illustrations: Hycade / YouTube
Mitsubishi’s current plug-in hybrid system, found in the Outlander PHEV, pairs dual electric motors with a petrol engine to produce a combined 302 hp (225 kW / 306 PS). The new Elevance concept follows a similar formula but takes things further with four electric motors and an engine designed to run on carbon-neutral fuels.
In theory, it wouldn’t be difficult for Mitsubishi to extract more performance from this setup for a modern Lancer Evolution.
The greater challenge lies in justifying the investment for a completely new model without direct assistance from its alliance partners, Renault and Nissan. After all, the standard Lancer sedan, the Evo’s original foundation, has long been discontinued.
What’s Next For Ralliart?
Then there’s Ralliart, Mitsubishi’s revived performance sub-brand that so far has been limited to cosmetic upgrades.
Sawase hinted that broader plans exist but stopped short of details, saying, “As for the different use of Ralliart brands, they have been considered in a broad range. But exactly what is going to happen, we aren’t ready to talk about it.”
In the meantime, the Evo legacy lives on through independent artists and designers who keep imagining what could be. Among them is Hycade Design, whose digital sports sedan concept helps visualize what enthusiasts still hope to see back on the streets in the not-so-distant future.
