Filed under: Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Performance (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/), Japan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/), Mitsubishi (http://www.autoblog.com/category/mitsubishi/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/2011-mistubishi-lancer-evolution-mr.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mitsubishi-lancer-evolution/)
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Gayu Eusegi, head of global product development for Mitsubishi (http://www.autoblog.com/make/mitsubishi/), the Lancer Evolution X (http://www.autoblog.com/model/lancer+evolution) will be the last Evo the Japanese automaker ever builds. Eusegi says the move is part of a shift in strategy to put the company's product focus and ethos on leadership in EV technology.

To that end, Autocar indicates that Mitsubishi will release eight fully-electric or hybrid-electric cars by the time 2015 rolls around, and make a grab for a big portion of the CO2-reduction market share. It goes without saying that the fun-yet-fuel-swilling Evo just doesn't fit that mindset, particularly since it apes a rally car that no longer exists.

Despite the Evo's huge popularity, Mitsubishi apparently isn't scared of the step and says it's confident that consumers will glom on to the idea and rally behind the brand. By killing the Evo, they're making their intentions plain to an increasingly environmentally-conscious car-buying public.

Eusegi killed dead any notion that the brand would roll out a performance-oriented hybrid as well. "Maybe the world can change, and maybe someday we can do a motor race by electric vehicles. Maybe then we can enter the market agian," he said.

This report of the Evo's death would seem to stand in contrast to multiple (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/11/autocar-next-subaru-sti-to-go-diesel-rival-mitsubishi-e/) reports (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/21/motor-trend-details-2013-mitsubishi-evolution-xis-plug-i/) that an Evo XI is in the works with a hybrid drivetrain. We're taking this latest Autocar missive with a few grains of salt, as we can see how Eusegi may have simply meant that an Evo that relies exclusively on internal combustion is dead - a hybrid Evo would seem to offer a nice technological bridge to Mitsubishi's more electrically minded future. Hat tip to Dennis!


Gallery: 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mitsubishi-lancer-evolution/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/08-evo_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mitsubishi-lancer-evolution/#3467752)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/04-evo_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mitsubishi-lancer-evolution/#3467747)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/05-evo_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mitsubishi-lancer-evolution/#3467748)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/06-evo_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mitsubishi-lancer-evolution/#3467750)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/07-evo_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-mitsubishi-lancer-evolution/#3467751)

[Source: Autocar (http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/autocarconfidential/archive/2011/03/01/the-mitsubishi-evo-is-no-more.aspx)]Report: Mitsubishi official says Evo franchise is dead (http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/02/report-mitsubishi-official-says-evo-franchise-is-dead/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).



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More... (http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/02/report-mitsubishi-official-says-evo-franchise-is-dead/)

And there...is the long-awaited answer. Can you say "collectors car"?

http://www.grapesofrad.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/pour-one-out.jpeg

^^^ Could not have found a better picture. Mad props, dude. HAHA!

Thank god. Maybe our resale value will be as good as the 9's now....

I like how the post icon next to the title is a :thumbup:. I am saddened, but interested to see how quickly (or slowly) they will try & fill it's spot.

So much for manufacturer support (like they offered any anyway). Time to trade it in on an STI?

I doubt resale will go up.....but I could be wrong for sure.

Don't know what I should do with it....

I wouldn't defect to Suby just yet. The X platform has a few more years ahead of it in the A/M, etc. Plus I plan to keep mine for a while knowing this now.

im happy i got mine when i did then! although i do wish it was a 2011 with the sun and leather package!

if this is for sure ima keep my X fo a long time...hope it have a resale value as the supra does lol

So much for manufacturer support (like they offered any anyway). Time to trade it in on an STI?

I doubt resale will go up.....but I could be wrong for sure.

Don't know what I should do with it....

Why would you trade it in? Manufacturers are still required to provide parts for a few years. If anything, i would want to keep the car because of this.

Because I have an MR with a $12,000 temp sensor?

daaaaaaaamn!! (in my chris tucker voice)

Because I have an MR with a $12,000 temp sensor?

I'd bet a solution will come up sooner than later for the trans issues.

I'm keeping my evo for life anyways :)

Damn you Mitsubishi!!! I hope you Fail at all your future endeavours for this! :computermad:

http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae159/EvolutionIXMR/evofail.jpg

I'd bet a solution will come up sooner than later for the trans issues.


Why would it? This announcement to me kills any need for a company to waste resources into fixing the dreaded TCU failure....

Why would it? This announcement to me kills any need for a company to waste resources into fixing the dreaded TCU failure....

Meh, it'd be a niche company anyways who'd be doing any development work. I honestly don't think this announcement would dissuade, say, SSP, for example, from developing a solution. They're obviously targeting smaller markets anyways.

im happy i got mine when i did then! although i do wish it was a 2011 with the sun and leather package!


2011 evo x gsr ww sun leather 1600 miles $75,000 :innocent:

I bet the sti is next.. my local subie dealer didn't even stock any sti so you had to order them. The local Tulsa Mitsu dealer had SE, GSR, and MRs on the lot. There all sold now so don't really know what there deal is with killing it off. Anyone else seeing large numbers of evos sitting on the car lots? I too planned on keeping my evo for life. I'll always have plenty of garage space.

if this is for sure ima keep my X fo a long time...hope it have a resale value as the supra does lol


+1

http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae159/EvolutionIXMR/tombstone-1.jpg

'KILLED BY TEH HIPPIES' may be more fitting ;)

Evo was killed by idiotic Mitsu management (period). Why would you stop selling your "flagship" car? Just baffles me..

Do they really think people are going to buy their crappy and "EXPENSIVE" Electric/Hybrid cars when they can't make quality cars in the first place?? (Outside of the Evo)

'KILLED BY TEH HIPPIES' may be more fitting ;)

My sadness has quickly turned to anger. Anger towards the whole Hybrid/EV movement and the entire climate change propaganda that these governments are feeding the public. I don't want to turn this into a political thread, but THEY are killing the auto industry for US "enthusiasts. :mad:

http://wtfhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/rageguy-302x250.jpg


First it was "Global Warming", then, when shit started hitting the fan after the facts started coming out they started calling it "Climate Change". Enough with the bullshit already!

http://www.quinnsquantumtechnologies.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/al-gore-fire.jpg

Evo was killed by idiotic Mitsu management (period). Why would you stop selling your "flagship" car? Just baffles me..

Do they really think people are going to buy their crappy and "EXPENSIVE" Electric/Hybrid cars when they can't make quality cars in the first place?? (Outside of the Evo)

I hope their stocks plunge so deep for this that it wakes them up and they realize the important things that we customers car about. They need to fix EVERY other car in their line-up, not the Evo. Leave it alone and keep the hybrid/electric shit away!
The wife and I just pick up a new '11 VW Jetta for her this past Saturday, and we visited nearly every car dealership we could think of EXCEPT for Mitsubishi when car shopping. Why? Because other than the Evo, most of their other cars are shit.

i was half joking. go to a tea bag rally and let off some steam ;) all cars have been steadily pushing higher efficiency standards since the 70s. This is just the next step and sure it sucks for performance, but it'll be for the best in the long run.

It's similar to the shift away from carbs in the early 80's where virtually all performance cars nose-dived but came back stronger than ever the following decade once EFI was perfected. Remember that the iconic 60's and 70's mustangs only made like 225hp. Emissions be damed, the current offerings are better in every way.

I think the evo will be back once mitsu can establish it's EV platforms and shift focus from just making it happen to making it perform well. They do have a HUGE advantage over all other makers when it comes to electric power tech and i think they'll be a performance leader again once the dust settles.

i bet subaru/sti owners are having a blast right now ...

Good night sweet prince. I hope my EVO survives and is not totaled by some idiot in an accident.

niperWolF(+);718239']i bet subaru/sti owners are having a blast right now ...
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2143322

right off the hot press from subaruu fourm
as on of them says ..the evo neva had anything on the sti anyway.

another competitor succumbs to superior symmetrical awd.

subaru 4 life. all we'll drive http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

right off the hot press from subaruu fourm
They were already talking about it here:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2143042

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2143322

right off the hot press from subaruu fourm
as on of them says ..the evo neva had anything on the sti anyway.

another competitor succumbs to superior symmetrical awd.

subaru 4 life. all we'll drive http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

Riiiiight.

those guys in the subie forum are little bit pass stupid.....border line sad actually.

They were already talking about it here:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2143042

:+1:

no.. is time to go and buy an extra evo for keeps

This are very sad news bt it makes me so happy I got an Evo X

This are very sad news bt it makes me so happy I got an Evo X
I agree

Maybe if everyone calls and emails Mitsubishi to keep it they will.

Heck people saved Saab; we could try to save Mitsubishi's halo car and easily most recognized car. It isn't a corolla volume seller, but it sells well and for 30-40K.

I agree with you sir.

The Evo is the only car they sell @ mitsu... they were lose a lot of $$$ if they stop making the Evo

I'm glad I got one.... but sad to see no further evolution of the evo ...

If i had extra $, I'd probably get another one LOL

This news moves MITSU from obscurity to complete irrelevance. They better get back on track with their TV lineup, because they are all but dead in the US market now.

"OH look at how cute my ugly ass electric car is, it has two seats and everything. The socket looks so nice with my new purple extension cord plugged in there."

You guys should check out their facebook page, lol.

A link to it??^^^^

A link to it??^^^^

http://www.facebook.com/Mitsubishi

Just added something to their wall. Everyone should do the same.

http://www.facebook.com/Mitsubishi

Just added something to their wall. Everyone should do the same.

I'm right under you dude in support. Haha! :godance:

http://www.facebook.com/Mitsubishi

Just added something to their wall. Everyone should do the same.

time to spam this wall

Seems like the whole "We're canceling the Evo to do EVs instead" would seem more rational if they had already found great success in EVs and thus could logically conclude that the Evo is just weighing them down. Who thought it would be a good idea to go ahead and cancel the car that generates all the positive publicity for some ugly ass unproven (in the market) EVs.

Their official Twitter outlet is up to date as well. They seem to be avoiding the issue.

http://twitter.com/MitsubishiPR

This move wreaks of desperation. We don't know why we don't make cars people want, so lets double down and give them even worse cars they will want even less.

Government subsidy here we come. That is our new business plan.

Their official Twitter outlet is up to date as well. They seem to be avoiding the issue.

http://twitter.com/MitsubishiPR

Is that your feed?

Subaru got a new body type for the STI. The WRX became wide body. Us, here at Mitsu? We're rocking the keychains. Oh yeah baby. Oh. Yeah.

Evo X GSR SE: What happens when we overestimate the appeal of a transmission. Go go re-badging, activate!

hmmmm.....

No, it's not my feed. It just has all the mannerisms and clever, witty retorts that I do.

I have a twin working at Mitsubishi.

No, it's not my feed. It just has all the mannerisms and clever, witty retorts that I do.

I have a twin working at Mitsubishi.

Yes. Yes of course. That would explain many a warranty related cruelty.

Oh my heavens, did you hear about his exhaust?

Oh my heavens, did you hear about his exhaust?
I did (on Twitter)

lol

I have in my mind this mental image of some guy at Subaru, who uses the "Subaru_USA" twitter account, reading that feed, and being like "what. The. Fuck". He's following me. It's so awesome, my imagination runs wild.

:bggay: http://www.nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.com

how about this: "We were just kidding about the Evo X being the last. There will be more Evos, they'll just be Diesel. We're doing that to keep the exhaust soot consistent."

:bggay: http://www.nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.com

aww man! I thought it might actually be a valid link..

The worst part is that the hybrids in most cases get worse mileage than diesel technology would. Diesel Evo.....Hmmmmm torgue monster

My sadness has quickly turned to anger. Anger towards the whole Hybrid/EV movement and the entire climate change propaganda that these governments are feeding the public. I don't want to turn this into a political thread, but THEY are killing the auto industry for US "enthusiasts. :mad:

http://wtfhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/rageguy-302x250.jpg


First it was "Global Warming", then, when shit started hitting the fan after the facts started coming out they started calling it "Climate Change". Enough with the bullshit already!

http://www.quinnsquantumtechnologies.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/al-gore-fire.jpg

An offhand comment from Mitsubishi's global product director that "we must stop" making the Evo after the Lancer Evolution X had Subaru fanboys cheering and everyone else worried. But is it true?

Mitsubishi's Gayu Eusegi told Autocar that the vehicle so long responsible for the brand's image was no longer consistent with the brand's environmental goals.
We reached out to a Mitsubishi spokesman who would only say "The current Evo is planned through 2012-2013, but we're not talking about our plans after that."

http://www.jalopnik.com/5774829/mitsubishi-isnt-denying-evo-dead-after-2013

so there is still at 2012 and 2013 for now 2014 will be no evo

so there is still at 2012 and 2013 for now 2014 will be no evo

Good the math is with this one...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DMxDOYqJJ7Q/TPTbbBLVy6I/AAAAAAAABkk/Cyd7qsVQzbk/s1600/yoda-maitre-jedi-star-wars.jpg

Lol

Good the math is with this one...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DMxDOYqJJ7Q/TPTbbBLVy6I/AAAAAAAABkk/Cyd7qsVQzbk/s1600/yoda-maitre-jedi-star-wars.jpg

i am Asian after all :shades:

Mitsu finally responded to all the hate people have been showing on their FB page...


http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae159/EvolutionIXMR/hope.jpg

Oh cool, a form letter. Thanks Mitsu!

The quality of some of the comments are just epic.

The quality of some of the comments are just epic.

I'll have to check them out after work.

The quality of some of the comments are just epic.

Shut it or i'll beat you hell out of your ass!!!
:bowlol:

http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1056243_mitsubishi-quells-claims-of-evos-death-via-facebook-page?fbfanpage

Following yesterday’s shock report that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo may be culled after the current model, the Evo X, runs its course, the Japanese automaker has released this official statement via its Facebook page.

"Further to some comments published in the press recently, production of the current Lancer Evolution continues as planned. As for its successor, regulations and market feedback will dictate its engineering package & architecture. Stay tuned."

The latest spiel confirms that a successor is planned, at least for now, though it strongly suggests that reports of a hybrid powertrain in the next-gen Evo may prove true. The words “regulations” and “market feedback” are what’s worrying now.

The original claim that the Evo may be dead was spurred by Mitsubishi’s own belief that electric vehicle technology and pushing in a different direction from the rally-bred performance of its past were key to remaining viable going into the future. The mixed message of high-efficiency and the Evo's high-performance would confuse consumers, explained Mitsubishi’s global product director, Gayu Eusegi, during a recent interview.

The only questioning is, would a hybrid sedan focused more on emissions than rallying prowess be worthy of wearing an Evo XI badge?

Did anyone notice the guy who they commented on was... Brian O'Connor.. somethings fishy there :P

So we now know what Evolution X stands for: Xstinct.

Not before it Evolves into one of these...

http://www.livetradingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/prius1.jpg

:(

They just posted on twitter...

Mitsubishi Motors

On Thursday 3rd March 2011, @mitsucars said:

Production of the current Lancer Evolution continues as planned.
As for its successor, regulations and market feedback will dictate its engineering package & architecture.

MMC has kept the Lancer Evolution sedan evolving as the brand's highest performing model in the global market. However, as the market's needs and demands change, MMC 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. The new direction, the technologies involved, and corresponding products will be disclosed in due course.

Link:

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/93ftl0

So in other words, it most likely will be hybrid or electric. You might as well kill it now IMO.

http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2009/11/5/129019530927918941.jpg

Isn't the next re-vamped Supra rumored to be a hybrid still pushing like 350HP? I see it can be done, but that high-pitch whine while stopped vs. a growling exhaust is just not doin' it for me. If sports-cars/sedans are going hybrid, I'm going to revolt.