Mitsubishi resurrected the Eclipse name last year, but instead of a sports car it used it on a compact crossover and added the “Cross” suffix.
This means that the Evo moniker could make a comeback as well, although not as we would expect it to.
Speaking to Motor1, the brand’s UK Managing Director, Lance Bradley, said that “there’s nothing in the pipeline at the moment” when asked about the return of the Evolution name. However, he added that there’s “no reason” why it wouldn’t make a comeback at some point in the future.
So what does this mean? If we were to speculate, then we would say that the Evolution will go down the same road as the Eclipse, namely being brought back on a new SUV. Still, given its status, Bradley added that “it could be an option for a more performance-oriented version of one of the models”.
The company’s official admitted that the rally-bred sedan is an iconic car that has lots of fans with “a very emotional attachment”, so leaving it alone, rather than messing with it, could be the better option.
Mitsubishi dropped the Lancer Evolution in late 2015, with the Final Edition. The swan song was limited to 1,600 examples in the United States, priced from less than $38,000.
For a car that originally went into production in 2007, the Evo X is quite exciting to look at and drive, with its specific exterior and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine rated at 303hp and 305lb-ft (413Nm) of torque. But what really set it apart was its spectacular all-wheel drive system that allowed you to do things you probably shouldn’t be able to – and feel safe while doing them.
Since the Evo name is inextricably linked with Mitsubishi’s exploits in the WRC and the resulting road cars that, apart from the last one, felt like 1980s’ taxis inside but performed and handled like rally homologation specials, perhaps the best course of action is leaving this particular nameplate well alone.
So much for the interview with Mitsu-UK Managing Director, Lance Bradley.
On the one hand I might be okay with Evo being used to denote performance vehicles considering the Pajero Evo did exist. The only problem is my inner fanboy won’t accept because I’ll feel like it’s sacrilege and disrespectful to everything the Evo name once stood for. I had the same problem with Ford announced the Mach 1 was going to be an electric SUV given that names association with the Mustang.
I’m really on the fence about this.
And Mitsubishi, LEAVE THE “EVOLUTION” NAME THE HELL ALONE.
I don’t trust you any more.
Same here. I tried being optimistic about this but the thought of them doing to the Evo what they did to the Eclipse makes my blood boil.
Well don’t blame the company, blame the people who makes these decisions.
I hate to admit this, but their Mentality as a brand even with the Alliance with Renault Nissan isn’t going to change unless there’s a change in management. But don’t make the Evolution a dedicated vehicle like that e-evolution concept despite it’s futuristic looks.
Well I mean if we being pedantic Pajero Evolution exists, but yeah I know what you mean. Feels diesrepsctful.
I don’t understand how this is news, didn’t we see an EV crossover concept called the Evolution a few months back?
EV-olution because calling it the Evolution is sacrilege.
Well media be like, put all recent comment as news and add their own speculation.
They can not help their numbers with just a name.
We’ve been expecting this, so it’s no longer surprise.