Despite investor pressure to bring back the venerable vehicle, which was retired in 2016, Lancer Evolution just doesn’t make any financial sense, according to Takao Kato, CEO and President of Mitsubishi Motors.
The “Evo” will stay in the past, at least temporarily, despite the brand’s intended return to motorsports and the revival of Mitsubishi’s Ralliart Racing Division. This is especially regrettable given that the Evolution’s former opponent is still in the works, with the release of its most recent version scheduled for 2022.
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Mitsubishi discontinued the Evo for what reason?
In summary, Mitsubishi ceased production of the Evo for the same reason it ceased production of all of its other outstanding performance vehicles: money.
Most purchasers like cars that are useful, dependable, and affordable. Most consumers don’t care much about pure performance or excitement, preferring these qualities wrapped together in a crossover or SUV.
Despite the fact that vehicle aficionados tend to be a “loud minority,” the majority of people who buy cars today prefer the models that Mitsubishi offers.
The truth is that many of the people making such statements would not be likely to actually go through and purchase, despite the fact that many will declare (particularly online) that they would love to buy a new Evo if one were available today.
A manufacturer like Mitsubishi runs a significant risk by creating a new version of the Evo or another high-performance vehicle only to have it fail on the market. This could be a deadly decision for a business, particularly in the difficult economic environment we currently face.
For those of us who want for a return to the period of speed, handling, and thrill, it may be discouraging and upsetting, but ultimately it’s impossible to fault a firm like Mitsubishi for producing what its customers want.
Most people just want affordable transportation that will transfer them and their children in comfort, safety, and convenience, ideally with eco-friendly credentials.
If other, larger Japanese automakers succeed with any new performance vehicles, it may present the best chance for the revival of the storied Evo badge.
For instance, if Toyota succeeds with the new GR Yaris, Mitsubishi might be persuaded to resurrect the Evo (or at least develop another performance vehicle, such as the Mirage Cyborg!).
The Evo is no longer being produced by Mitsubishi, and there are no plans for a comeback, so now is the ideal moment to seek for your own Evo. Prices have been skyrocketing recently and are certain to keep rising as more examples succumb to accidents, neglect, and aging.
Will Mitsubishi ever produce autos once more?
The Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Alliance released their fresh strategy and Alliance 2022 business plan in May 2020. The new approach had a “Mitsubishi Motors is expected to be the first of the three automakers to introduce a new vehicle, following the Leader pattern. The only issue is that neither Mitsubishi Motors Corp (MMC) nor the carmaker have released any information regarding any impending models. Since the unveiling of the previously unseen Mitsubishi Starion 4WD concept art, there has been a lot of discussion online about this new Mitsubishi vehicle being a sports car and potentially the return of the Lancer Evolution. Unfortunately, Mitsubishi Motors broke their silence at last, and no Lancer is in sight. Electric cars are still the way of the future (EVs).
Many attendees at the Mitsubishi Motors shareholders meeting at the end of June 2021 inquired about the Lancer Evo or a new sports vehicle, particularly in light of the company’s decision to restart its highly successful Ralliart team. The Lancer Evolution, which was developed by the same crew as the original Mitsubishi Lancer and lasted for several generations before its demise, was a potent rally car. Does this sound familiar to you? Ralliart will function as an after-market seller of equipment that consumers can employ to improve the performance of various future models, unlike the Dodge/SRT team, who will take a more prominent role.
“The cost of development for electrification is high, and our company’s strength is still insufficient. Due to a significant deficit in the last fiscal year, we first want to revitalize the company before releasing the small vehicle that fans have been anticipating. Google Translate translation of a Japanese article Japanese Nostalgic Car’s Reaction
Isn’t that just salt in the wound? Not that we want to force the point home. Stings also for us.
But we were aware of this beforehand. After the digital news release in May, when the Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Alliance was being discussed, it was clear that electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) would soon take the lead. Nissan introduced a new EV platform for usage across all three brands, Nissan and Renault have been exploring new EV platforms and powertrains known as ePTs, Mitsubishi has developed a number of concepts over the years. Along with inquiries about the Lancer Evolution, Mitsubishi Motors also frequently receives inquiries about its plans for the Outlander PHEV.
Within the next five years, the Outlander PHEV might be replaced. As the years pass quickly, the plug-in hybrid SUV has enjoyed some success and time in the limelight, but the Outlander PHEV is lagging behind due to new technologies being used in contemporary automobiles. Previously uncommon, plug-in hybrid SUVs are now seeing increased competition. In 2019, Mitsubishi unveiled the Engelberg Tourer concept and the Mi-Tech concept, respectively, at the Geneva International Motor Show and the Tokyo Motor Show. The Mi-Tech was a fresh take on plug-in hybrid technology, whereas the Engelberg Tourer was more of a sportier version of the Outlander PHEV. However, neither vehicle has been the subject of recent news. What is Mitsubishi Motors doing these days? What other EV may Mitsubishi be developing if the Lancer EVO isn’t making a comeback? Follow Miami Lakes Automall Mitsubishi on social media to stay up to speed on all Mitsubishi Motors-related news.
Is Ralliart returning?
Returned is Ralliart. Mitsubishi introduced a concept at this week’s Tokyo Auto Salon to mark the resurrection of its formerly popular performance-focused subbrand.
Is STI quicker than Evo?
Because it has fewer horsepower and weighs about 200 pounds more than the Impreza WRX STI, the Lancer Evolution appears to be a small underdog in comparison. Typically, this is where we discuss how the slower automobile is more enjoyable to drive and ultimately triumphs. This time, however, those who are preoccupied with statistics might find solace in the fact that the winning vehicle is also the cheapest and fastest in a straight line and on the skidpad. The Evo has the best driving dynamics out of the three, which is really what counts. We discuss this topic all the time, much to the dismay of some letter writers.
HIGHS: Excellent grip, yaw control that eliminates understeer, and excellent low-end torque for a turbo.
LOWS: Lacks a telescoping steering wheel, an extra gear, and an expensive-looking cabin.
The Evo’s average time from 0 to 60 mph is astounding4.6 seconds. Though it also has a modest advantage through the quarter-mile, the Evo may only just edge the Subaru STI to that mark due to its ability to reach that point in second gear. Despite losing 10 horsepower and 192 pounds of curb weight to the STI, this is still the case.
What was the Mitsubishi Evo’s successor?
All may not be bad. The Mitsubishi e-Evolution, which is the next car to use the Evolution nameplate after the Lancer Evolution, is also known as the Lancer Crossover in the image above.
Will Mitsubishi bring the 3000GT back?
Mitsubishi does not currently have any intentions to reintroduce the 3000GT. There don’t seem to be any upcoming 3000GT updates.
Mitsubishi has made it quite plain that they see their future in the development and manufacture of affordable, useful crossover vehicles with hybrid/electric propulsion systems (how exciting). Mitsubishi likewise discontinued the Evo for this reason, and the company has no intentions to bring it back.
Some have speculated that since Nissan now owns a third of Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi may be able to use Nissan running gearspecifically, the engine that will be in the future 400zin a revived 3000GT/GTO.
This seems improbable to us because Nissan won’t want its components in a car that would undercut sales of the 400Z, but as with everything, “never say never.”
As a result, if you want a vehicle with “3000GT/GTO” on the badge, you had better find a used one because new examples are unlikely to be produced.
Visit this page to read our Mitsubishi 3000GT buyer’s guide for more details on how to get your hands on a fantastic example of this storied Japanese icon.
Do you anticipate Mitsubishi bringing the 3000GT back at some point? Comment below with your thoughts and let us know what you think.
What does Mitsubishi’s future hold?
Dealers don’t believe anything else is in the works, but Nissan may save Mitsubishi with a rebadged Kicks subcompact vehicle, for instance. Mitsubishi does offer the Eclipse Cross plug-in hybrid in Europe, but U.S. sales are not certain.
Future hybrid and electric models may be developed through the cooperation, according to the company’s product roadmap, which was unveiled during its annual financial presentation in May. However, other than an electric city car created with Nissan for the Japanese market, the presentation did not provide any additional information.
Mirage: This year, the little economy car had a refresh for the 2021 model year in both its sedan and hatchback versions. A redesigned grille, bumpers, new standard safety features, and an improved infotainment system were all added to the subcompact. But underneath, a three-cylinder engine with 78 horsepower and ten-year-old architecture is still present. However, since it is one of just four Mitsubishi models available in the United States, it is projected to remain in production until a refresh in 2023.
Outlander Sport: The crossover received a facelift for the 2020 model year and will continue to be produced through the 2022 model year with additional equipment and trim improvements. Surprisingly, the Sport, which debuted for the 2011 model year, is still the initial version of the car despite occasional updates. The Cross and Sport are almost the same size because to the Eclipse Cross’s expansion as part of its refresh. Mitsubishi dealers would like a newer, more compact Kicks-based crossover in the subcompact segment, but that model is likely to receive another Sport refresh in late 2022.
Eclipse Cross: The 2022 Eclipse Cross, updated this year, is described by Mitsubishi as “redesigned, attractive, and athletic,” yet it is still based on the first version from the 2018 model year. The Cross was an ugly duckling before the styling revisions, but it is now much more mainstream. The inside has also been greatly enhanced. Although U.S. dealers would like access to Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid version, the company currently has no plans to introduce it to the United States. In 2023, The Eclipse Cross should be updated, perhaps on an alliance platform.
Outlander: The updated 2022 Outlander is a midsize crossover with three rows of seats, something that even platform neighbor Rogue lacks. With the Outlander, Mitsubishi has a completely new, premium and fashionable vision. Dealers claim that the car is bringing in a wealthier, more demanding customer base, and they would love to see more of the same as the automaker designs its upcoming models. The next Outlander episode should air in 2024.
Outlander PHEV: The 2014 model-year gasoline-powered Outlander served as the foundation for the 2022 plug-in hybrid version of the vehicle. For 2021, an expanded battery pack and a more potent gasoline engine were added to the hybrid. According to Mitsubishi, a revamped plug-in Outlander based on the next-generation gasoline vehicle will be available in the second half of 2022. In 2024, the next-generation PHEV should receive an update concurrently with the gasoline-powered vehicle.
Electric vehicles: According to Mitsubishi’s official strategy, various alliance EVs and hybrids will “use similar electrical components for EV/HEV,” according to the company’s May financial presentation. However, the automaker has not provided any information.
There is at least a foundation for some Mitsubishi fully electric vehicles in the future because Nissan is going toward its own electric future and Renault already has EVs in Europe. However, how the automobile alliance deploys its resources and its own future may affect that.
Do Mitsubishi trucks exist?
The L200, a pickup truck currently offered by the Japanese manufacturer, is not the one that will be sold in this country. Instead, Mitsubishi is working on creating a new platform for that model’s upcoming generation that would also serve as the foundation for upcoming Nissan and Renault models. It’s possible that the following generation will enter our market.
That would indicate a likely debut around the middle of the 2020s, which is a very long time away because a lot may change in that time.
However, American Mitsubishi dealerships have been clamoring for a pickup truck to give their customers. The company’s top brass is saying that they have been heard loud and clear, but it is also obvious that no decision has yet been made.