The Mitsubishi Evo is no more

[k-dogg39]

Saw this on another forum, thought I would share...

http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/autoc...s-no-more.aspx

Originally Posted by the linked article

The Mitsubishi Evo is no more
Matt Prior
I’ve just spent an engaging half-hour in the company of Gayu Eusegi, Mitsubishi’s global product director.

Mostly we talked about the new Global Small Concept, which will be built in Thailand and sized somewhere between a Toyota Aygo and the Colt supermini. It’ll go on UK sale in 2012, effectively replacing the Colt in the line-up.



But also he told me some news, which seemed to surprise a few Mitsubishi Europe bods as much as it did me.

The Lancer Evolution X, Eusegi told me, will be the last Evo. “There is still a demand [for the car],” he said, “but we must stop.” Eyebrow up.

“Our influence now is EV technology,” Eusegi said, adding that the decision was a “policy change”.

It seems Mitsubishi, which is going to introduce eight full electric or hybrid cars by 2015, has decided its image is about lowering CO2, not making lurid replicas of rally cars that don’t go top-level rallying any more.

Eusegi said that customers would find it “easier to understand” what Mitsubishi was about if it was no longer in this motorsport-inspired market.

He seemed to put the rumoured diesel hybrid Evo replacement to bed, too. So the X will be the last Evolution model? “Yes. Maybe the world can change, and maybe someday we can do a motor race by electric vehicles,” said Eusegi. “Maybe then we can enter the market again.”

Until then, prepare yourselves for the end of an era.

[cody]

I hope this doesn't mean lack of competition for WRX/STI which causes further price increases and less performance increases for future turbo Subarus.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by cody

I hope this doesn't mean lack of competition for WRX/STI which causes further price increases and less performance increases for future turbo Subarus.

Not with the new turbo charged Buick coming out.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

Not with the new turbo charged Buick coming out.

You know that the Buick dropped the AWD that was on the turbo Regal GS concept car, right?

It's not at all a competitor to the WRX/STI segment. It was really a stretch to begin with (being more in line with the LGT), but now, the Regal GS is basically a Camry/Accord... 255hp, FWD, hybrid option. The only thing it's got over those is the 6MT option (and much better looks IMO).

[Dean]

Originally Posted by sperry

You know that the Buick dropped the AWD that was on the turbo Regal GS concept car, right?

It's not at all a competitor to the WRX/STI segment. It was really a stretch to begin with (being more in line with the LGT), but now, the Regal GS is basically a Camry/Accord... 255hp, FWD, hybrid option. The only thing it's got over those is the 6MT option (and much better looks IMO).

I was kidding and you know way more about Buick than I would ever admit to and I am old.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

I was kidding and you know way more about Buick than I would ever admit to and I am old.

I just remember all the excitement when the concept car came out with people thinking it was a new GNX, which would be a competitor, albeit an outside one, to the STi.

[rory_a]

I'm kinda sad as an MR with DSG box seemed to be the next car once I bounced back from my upcoming paycut

Really don't want to go used market on another tunable car


Yes, I was going to leave Subarus to cheat on my hopes to own an STi because of the DGS transmission.

[A1337STI]

Boo

[rory_a]

considering I'd get one after the lady got a Grand Cherokee or something for kids, having a lazy option is a major bonus.