Sorry Lancer Evolution fans, the next car to wear the Evo moniker will be an electric crossover
With the demise of the tenth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, we thought the Evo name had been buried for good.
However, Mitsubishi said the future would bring a new Evo, only not like what we've been used to — hinting at an electrified performance crossover. While we knew the future would bring a radically different Evo production car, we didn't know what to expect, really. Until now, that is, because the automaker has released the first teaser image of a new concept called e-Evolution.
Leaving aside the self-explanatory name (an electric/electrified model wearing the Evolution badge) the teaser photo reveals the silhouette of a crossover-coupé type of vehicle. It adopts a floating roofline design, bulged wheel arches housing big alloys, a rear diffuser at the lower part of the massive rear end, and sleek taillights that spread along the fenders and the C-pillar.
Mitsubishi doesn't say much about the e-Evolution Concept, which will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show (October 27-November 5). The press release describes it as a "flagship concept car" that adopts a "low-slung aerodynamic SUV Coupe shape" and blends the company's "signature 4WD and electric powertrain know-how with advanced Artificial Intelligence technology."
To justify the use of the "Evolution" moniker the automaker says the concept is a "very high-performance automobile." Fingers crossed for that.
If you want to buy a coupé-SUV from Mitsubishi right now, the new Eclipse Cross is your only choice.