Mitsubishi Kills Off Lancer Evolution

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

This generation of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution will be the last, according to Automotive News. Although no firm date was given, Mitsubishi did confirm that there will be no successor to the tenth generation Evo.

Instead, a potential successor would likely incorporate some kind of electrification, with a Mitsubishi spokesperson telling AN

“Mitsubishi Motors does not have any plans to design a successor with the current concept, as a high-performance four-wheel drive gasoline-powered sedan…Mitsubishi Motors will explore the possibilities of high-performance models that incorporate electric vehicle technology.”

Mitsubishi is looking to re-focus on utility vehicles, electric cars and other volume models as it combats an increasingly competitive marketplace. The next Lancer is widely expected to come from Renault Samsung, so Mitsubishi can focus resources on development of electric vehicles.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Turboprius Turboprius on Mar 31, 2014

    I went to the auto show a couple days ago, and sat in the Mitsubishi models except for the Lancer. Incredibly roomy and comfortable for someone over six foot (I managed to climb into the Outlander's third row, which is hugely improved over the previous gen's), but some problems linger. The Mirage sounded cheap when closing the doors. The Outlander Sport and Mirage had a budget feel inside. If the Outlander family got better engines and improved interior materials, Mitsubishi could be in a good market. They're reliable, safe, inexpensive, and comfy. This is what the general person wants. As with the Mirage, it was roomy, but it's not even safe or technologically-advanced. I just wish the normal Outlander was built in Normal (bad pun). The EVO is a loss, but Mitsubishi has the models I just listed that they need to focus on more. They also need to redesign the Lancer; it's slipping!

  • DrGastro997 DrGastro997 on Mar 31, 2014

    Another strange strategy change by Mitsubishi. They seem to kill a product that works...

  • Flybrian Flybrian on Mar 31, 2014

    So, unless you have a beacon under 510, is there ANY reason to drive a new Mitsubishi?

    • Gearhead77 Gearhead77 on Mar 31, 2014

      For someone, something Mitsubishi offers might fill the bill. I have excellent credit and still bought my 04 Sportback back then because it fit the need at the time and was bargain priced. Buy and drive what you like and/or need I suppose.

  • Stuki Stuki on Mar 31, 2014

    The end of an era. Kinda sad. Not much much of a market for a fast-from-the-factory-relatively-cheap-to-make-genuinely-fast car, in an era where anyone not on Bernanke/Yellen's direct payroll is supposed to know their place is a bus or an econobox in the slow lane; where they won't interfere with the Goldman Sachs'ers clumsy displays of "speed" in their $100K battery toys. Most serious Evo runners, seem to have moved on to bikes anyway. Wonder if the next gen 'Stang, with the IRS, may come with solid enough basics, to be reasonably tuneable to pick up some of the slack. Otherwise, I can't see anyone else picking up the slack.

    • Turboprius Turboprius on Apr 01, 2014

      I see people trying to make their Lancer's look like EVOs, adding Magnaflow exhausts, huge spoilers, custom rims, etc. It's depressing. And these aren't even cars decked out in a row of Cobb County Schools stickers accumulated over the years; these are cars driven by people in their 20's. Erm....

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