Next Mitsubishi Evo to target GT-R
 

Next Mitsubishi Evo To Be 500-Horsepower GT-R Rival
BY Viknesh Vijayenthiran Jul 21, 2013

A new generation of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is coming, only it won’t be like any Evo we’ve seen before. Mitsubishi confirmed in 2011 it will be taking its Evo in a new direction, enhancing the breed while at the same time bowing to environmental pressures and changing consumer trends.
Numerous reports have suggested that some form of vehicle electrification was likely for the new Evo, an Evo XI to all the fans, but with a turbocharged four-cylinder (possibly a diesel) and all-wheel drive intact.

While this is still expected to be the case, Autocar is reporting that the car will be repositioned as a Nissan GT-R rival and have at least 500 horsepower on tap.

Such a move would entail repositioning the car as a standalone model and no longer part of the humble Lancer family, which was one of the most enduring traits of previous generations. It truly was an econo sedan with the performance to match a Porsche.

The Lancer platform is still said to be the basis of the new Evo, however. The next-generation Lancer is due next year so the Evo spinoff could be out within the next year or two, though Mitsubishi’s official stance is that it is still considering what form the new car will take.

It is alleged to be a plug-in hybrid, combining a turbocharged four-cylinder with two electric motors for a total system output of 500 horsepower. Mitsubishi’s Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) will also feature, but with the electric motors aiding traction instead of a traditional mechanical setup. The automaker’s MiEV Evolution II electric Pikes Peak racers are said to provide a glimpse of what’s possible.

Like most plug-in hybrid vehicles, multiple driving modes including an electric only mode would aid economy. The setup will likely be an upgraded version of the drive system found in the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV sold overseas.

Note, a similar setup will be installed in Acura’s second-generation NSX and its rumored Nissan may follow suit for its next-generation R36 GT-R.

:/

What I would do if I were Mitsubishi:
- Update the Lancer and Evo. I thought they were moving in the right direction with the latest gen since they aren't bad cars. They've been out since 2008 and with no signs of successor, people are calling them the next Suzuki. Follow Subaru's niche with 4wd and have a cheap 4wd gas-saving model and a punchy ralliart/evo replacement.
- Delica. The amount of imported Delica's in this city shows that there is a small market for a 'swiss army knife' version of a car that can drive in the city, snow and a bit off-road with lots of internal room.
- Be a poor man's Land Rover. This should be Mitsu's bread and butter. Pajero or something with a new name. Make it look badass. Make the Jeep look like a Fiat 500. Again with the niche, Mitsubishi can be that 4wd company that isn't called Subaru.
- If the Pajero or whatever it's called takes off you can re-introduce the Pajero Mini to compete with the Rav4's and CX-5. It'll be a car crossover with styling cues from the poor man's rover. Unpopular with the car community but will sell to people who don't know better.
- Token electric car and mini compact (Mirage?) in line-up to tell everyone you're environmental but really no one really cares about this car.
- For the halo car, take everything in that article above and replace the word Evo with GTO or 3000GT or something new. I would spend 40K on an Evo but not 90K.

tl;dr: japanese version of land rover, introduce halo car, keep entry model's as is but keep them updated so people won't think you're running out of business.

yeh i see quite a few delicas. my neighbour has one and another down the block

Will it be two-pedal only?

The 2013 Mitsubishi Delica isn't as badass looking as back in 90s though.

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