Mitsubishi confirms end of AWD turbo Lancer Evolution
Mitsubishi has announced it will discontinue the all-wheel drive turbocharged Lancer Evolution, closing a chapter on its most celebrated performance saloon.
Mitsubishi has confirmed it will axe the all-wheel drive turbocharged Lancer Evolution, ending production of a car that defined the brand’s performance image for two decades. The decision, announced by global product director Gayu Eusegi, draws a line under the Evo’s run as Mitsubishi’s flagship high-performance saloon.
The Evo X, on sale since 2007, is now set to be the last of its kind. While the Lancer Evolution has been a mainstay for rally fans and performance enthusiasts, Mitsubishi’s decision reflects a shift in focus. The company will concentrate resources on more mainstream models and electrified powertrains, in line with global trends and tightening emissions regulations.
No direct replacement for Evo X
Mitsubishi president Osamu Masuko told Japanese media the Evo X would not be the end of the company’s performance ambitions. He said Mitsubishi intends to offer a new high-performance car in the future, but it will not be a direct continuation of the current Evolution formula. Instead, the company is exploring hybrid and electric technologies for its next-generation performance models.
Rumours suggest the next Evo could adopt a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain, combining a small-displacement petrol engine with an electric motor and lithium-ion batteries. Such a setup could allow for strong acceleration and improved fuel economy compared to the outgoing turbocharged petrol model. The system could also integrate Mitsubishi’s S-AWC all-wheel drive, preserving some of the Evo’s trademark handling characteristics, but with a very different character to the current car.
Future performance: hybrid and electric focus
Mitsubishi’s shift away from the Evo’s traditional formula reflects a broader realignment of its product strategy. The company has already previewed plug-in hybrid technology in concepts such as the PX-MiEV, which combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. While no production timetable has been confirmed, Mitsubishi’s leadership has made clear that electrification will play a central role in any future high-performance model.
- Evo X is the last AWD turbocharged Lancer Evolution.
- Future high-performance models could use hybrid powertrains.
- Mitsubishi’s S-AWC AWD system may feature in electrified successors.
For buyers and enthusiasts, the end of the Lancer Evolution closes a chapter in Mitsubishi’s history. The Evo’s combination of turbocharged power, all-wheel drive and rally heritage set it apart from rivals such as the Subaru WRX STI. Mitsubishi’s move signals a new direction, with electrification set to define its next generation of performance cars.
For more on the final run of the Evo X, see 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Revealed with Minor Updates. For details on Mitsubishi’s future hybrid plans, see Mitsubishi plots new plug-in hybrids for ASX, Pajero and Lancer Evo successors.
