L8r Evo

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

According to Gayu Eusegi, head of global product development for Mitsubishi, the Lancer Evolution X 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 reports 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!

Mitsubishi = dead to me

what!

That's pretty weak.

i still want to know about the rumors of a return to turbo awd eclipses. g5 dsm??? i got a mega woodie when i heard about turbo diesel awd ecripses

Trying to name a modern Mitsubishi product other than the Evo.... Nope,I've got nothing.

Yea, I work at a Mitsubishi dealer and the EVO GSR is the only one I would drive.

That is the saddest news. I have heard in a long time.

The Evo was already dying a slow death when they replaced the IX with the X. What a load of nonsense in that statement by Gayu-I hope the automotive division folds.

http://nooooooooooooooo.com/

I never liked the Evo so I don't have a problem with this, however at the end of this article it says they are working on a hybrid drive Evo?

Lose.

I just read that on autoblog, and boy this rum and coke is really trying to subdue my anger!!!

pissed.

I'm fine with this. Mitsubishi has been on a lifeline for a decade now and they clearly cant get themselves out of it by doing more of the same. They are behind the curve in most ways and have been for so long that it would be better to get on a different track than try to catch up.

I have no real attachment to the evoX at all. I think the technology thats in it is just great, but it doesnt appeal to me as much as the last two.

just my .02.

yeah right, and Volvo will stop making station wagons...

The end is nigh! Volvo not manufacturing wagons! Mitsubishi killing the Evo!

I'm really only sad about Volvo. I've never been into the Mitsu stuff.

LOL, Mitsu lost me in '88 with that crappy engine that was in the $50 Plymouth Reliant I bought.

EvanR wrote: LOL, Mitsu lost me in '88 with that crappy engine that was in the $50 Plymouth Reliant I bought.

Complaining about an engine in a car that cost $50.... Well, this is GRM.

Great, the only car that Mitsubishi makes that anyone ever cared about or knew about, and they're getting rid of it. Sounds like good marketing to me

I am a Subaru guy but love the Evo. The competition between the two brands kept the fires burning bright. Back when they were both in WRC,,,,,,,,,,,those were the days! To me really sad news and a bad decision IMO. I can only hope that Subaru doesn't follow suit.

congrats, mitsubishi! you've killed the only reason that i'd ever glance towards a mitsu dealership when i'm driving down the road. thanks for saving me the neck strain.

Based on my wife's Mitsubishi, they stopped making cars other than the Evo years ago. (Apparently, monkeys assemble tin cans into the Mirage)

The Evo died to me once the Evo 9 was gone.

It is borderline impossible to find a Mitsubishi dealer in central Michigan.