Rumours that Mitsubishi could bring back the iconic Lancer Evolution are nothing new, yet with every year that goes by they look increasingly unlikely to become reality.
Why a new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution looks unlikely
Mitsubishi’s priorities are centred on the regions where it makes the best returns - South East Asia and Oceania - and on building SUVs and crossovers, such as the bestseller Outlander and the Eclipse Cross.
On top of that, the Japanese brand recently announced it would introduce new models in Europe from 2023 onwards, built in Renault Group factories. That decision is key to strengthening Mitsubishi’s line-up on the “old continent”, but there is nothing to suggest that a sports model - like the legendary Lancer Evo - features in those plans.
Even so, plenty of people still long for the return of one of the most defining models in the history of the three-diamond marque. And we only recently saw it hold its own in a head-to-head with one of today’s “machines”, the Toyota GR Yaris - which did nothing but stoke that desire further.
Rain Prisk’s virtual Lancer Evolution revival
Tired of waiting for the Japanese manufacturer, designer Rain Prisk got to work and revived the “Evo” through a rendering that would leave any petrolhead “mouth-watering”.
To lend the project at least some credibility - as much as possible, anyway… - Prisk made a point of basing it on Mitsubishi’s latest design language. That shows most clearly at the front of this future Lancer Evolution, which adopts the chrome detailing and the slim, sharp headlights seen on the new Outlander.
From the side, the muscular wheel arches, the high shoulder line and, of course, the huge rear wing stand out immediately. Together, they help underline the character and presence of this model - even if it exists only in the virtual world.
What powertrain could suit a modern Evo?
No speculative exercise is complete without talking engines. Rain Prisk has shown us his vision of a new Evolution, but he did not guess what mechanical “arsenal” might be hiding beneath the sleek, stylised bodywork of his proposal.
We’ll take the liberty of doing that. These days, nothing less than 400 cv would be acceptable, delivered by a turbocharged combustion engine - a titanium turbine, of course… There would be little need to rewrite the old Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution formula, keeping the inline four-cylinder layout it has always used.
Electrons? Only to boost performance. A 48 V mild-hybrid setup could be enough to “feed” an electrically driven supercharger or turbocharger for a more immediate response… more electrifying.
Transmission? Drive to all four wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox to deliver maximum involvement. And given the advances in electronically controlled differentials and torque vectoring since the Evo X left the scene, it would surely offer staggering effectiveness and a truly intoxicating driving experience.
Dreaming costs nothing…
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