14:10 10-11-2025

Mitsubishi eyes an electrified Lancer Evolution revival

Mitsubishi has not let go of the dream of bringing back the iconic Lancer Evolution. Speaking at the Tokyo Motor Show, company engineer Kaoru Sawase said the Evo’s revival remains on the brand’s agenda. He noted that the company has both the technology and the desire, calling it a long-held ambition.

If the project gets the green light, the next Lancer Evolution would be electrified. Mitsubishi already has proven hybrid and plug-in hardware from the Outlander PHEV, which combines a four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. A similar layout could underpin the performance sedan. For a modern driver’s car, that direction feels right: quick response and clean control matter as much as raw output.

Sawase, widely regarded as the godfather of the Super All-Wheel Control system, emphasized that electrification would enhance the driving experience. Electric motors deliver torque instantly, which helps sharpen handling.

The last Evolution X arrived in 2008 with a 2.0-liter turbo rated at 217 kW and cemented its legendary status. Since then, talk of a comeback has surfaced regularly, though nothing has been confirmed.

If Mitsubishi does decide to bring the Evo back, even as a hybrid, it would mark the return not just of a nameplate but of the brand’s spirit. The important thing is that the new Evo feels like a driver’s car, not merely an exercise in electric-era marketing.