Mitsubishi EVO XI Back On

A few weeks ago, in a discussion with Mitsubishi global product director Gayu Eusegi, Autocar reported him saying that the current Lancer Evolution X would be the last of the Evos, thus allowing Mitsubishi to concentrate on building EVs and other fuel-efficient vehicles. However, after much backlash from enthusiasts in the form of numerous Facebook groups and petitions, Mitsubishi President and CEO Osamu Masuko has announced that the Evo X would not, in fact, be the last of the Evolutions.

“Production of the current Lancer Evolution X continues as planned,” he told Autocar, “As for its successor, regulations and market feedback will dictate its engineering package and architecture.” There’s nothing new there as it was previously stated that the current Evo X was supposed to stick around at least another year, until 2012.

However, Masuko continued on to say, “As the market’s needs and demands change, Mitsubishi is considering not advancing the Lancer Evolution concept in the same way as before, but to find a different direction for the Lancer Evolution model to evolve.”

What does that mean exactly?

The rumor has long been that the Evo XI would be a diesel-electric hybrid. Such a powertrain would allow the Evo XI to hustle to 0-60 MPH in under 5 seconds while still receiving better fuel economy than the current Evo. At this stage, anything can happen. Masuko concluded the interview by saying, "The new direction, the technologies involved, and corresponding products will be disclosed in due course."