Is the Next-Gen Mitsubishi Evolution Evolving Into a Crossover?
First it was predicted that the next generation of the Evo would be a hybrid, and now the story has gotten stranger. Mitsubishi’s Evo halo car might be replaced by (or turned into) a crossover SUV. Why would Mitsu take the Lancer Evo – an impressive little sports sedan – and turn it into a glorified grocery getter?
Evolution or Revolution?
When the future of the Evo was discussed a few years ago, the prediction was that Mitsubishi would retire the Evolution badge by 2015. The popular thoughts were that 1) the Evo would be too difficult to build affordably and 2) Mitsu would revive the 3000GT as an alternative, a car that might project a bigger and brighter halo.
Recently, Mitsubishi Motors president, Osamu Masuko seemed to confirm the Evo’s retirement. He told CarAdvice that internal discussion about dropping sports cars from the line-up was prompting new vehicle ideas, all with an eye towards capturing the customer’s interest. Next thing you know, someone suggested making the next-generation Evo into a small SUV…and Mitsubishi’s president didn’t deny the thought. He did explain that the definition of what an SUV should be is changing, suggesting perhaps that a crossover could be the sports car of the future.
Here’s the thing: compact SUVs and crossovers are wildly popular right now. Indeed, Fortune says they fastest growing segment in the auto industry. Consumers seem to love compact SUVs and crossovers, and that fact explains why Mitsubishi might make the next-gen Evo a crossover.
What About Hybrid Tech?
Before we get too far down the “Mitsubishi is going to build a high performance crossover” path, let’s remember that Mitsubishi is working to re-position itself as a “green automaker.” Green companies build fuel-efficient vehicles with clever technology. The next generation of the ASX compact crossover (likely exhibited as the XR-PHEV concept) will have both 3-cylinder engine and an electric motor with battery pack. The concept boasts 136 horsepower from a 1.1L turbocharged 3 cylinder gas engine; combined with a 193 horsepower electric motor which runs off a 14 kWh battery pack. This is a total of 329 horsepower, assuming that you can operate both the gas engine and the electric motor at full power at the same time.
If Mitsubishi were to invest into hybrids that just happened to have a “high performance” mode, they’d be able to do the automotive equivalent of pulling a rabbit out of a hat: They’d garner “green” cred and street cred at the same time.
Ya, But…An SUV Evo?
Few cars generate the excitement of a Lancer Evo. The vehicle isn’t nearly as cutting-edge as it once was, but it’s still a wild animal. Driving one is an exhilarating experience, and it’s that raw power and excitement that keeps consumers coming back despite the Evo’s aging design.
If an SUV-based Evo can deliver that same level of excitement while also offering a high seating position and a fuel efficient powertrain, Mitsubishi will have something interesting on their hands. While it wouldn’t be the same as the current Evo, it would be an interesting and unique “crossover” that consumers just might respond to. Heck, performance enthusiasts might even like these things.
What’s more, if Mitsubishi can sell a lot of these new compact SUVs, they might just have the money to build something all these performance enthusiasts will really like.
See Mitsubishi Evolution Cars for sale on eBay.
