Rumors that Mitsubishi may reclaim the iconic Lancer Evolution are not new, but as the years pass they are less and less likely to happen.
The Japanese manufacturer is focused on regions where it is more profitable, Southeast Asia and Oceania, and on the production of SUVs and crossovers, such as the bestseller Outlander or the Eclipse Cross.
In addition to all this, the brand from the country of the rising sun recently announced the launch of new models in Europe from 2023, produced at the Renault Group's factories. This bet is fundamental for the reinforcement of Mitsubishi's range in the “old continent”, but there is no evidence to suggest that a sports car — such as the mythical Lancer Evo — is in the plans.
Despite all this, there are those who continue to yearn for the return of one of the most striking models in the history of the three diamond brand. And just recently, we saw him dealing cards in a tête-à-tête against one of the “machines” of the moment, the Toyota GR Yaris, which only served to fuel this desire.
Tired of waiting for the Japanese brand, designer Rain Prisk went to work and resurrected the “Evo”, in a rendering capable of making any petrolhead “mouth watering”.
To ensure some credibility to the project — at least possible…, Prisk made a point of working on Mitsubishi's latest visual language and this is visible in the front of this Lancer Evolution of the future, which adopted the chrome contours and torn headlights we found in the new Outlander.
In profile, the muscular wheel arches, the raised shoulder line and, of course, the huge rear wing stand out, elements that help to reinforce the character and presence of this model, albeit in a purely virtual plane.
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But no exercise in speculation would be complete without talking about engines. Rain Prisk showed us his vision for a new Evolution, but didn't speculate on what mechanical “arsenal” he would hide beneath the slim, stylized bodywork of his proposal.
Let us take the liberty of doing this. No less than 400 hp these days would be acceptable, obtained by a supercharged combustion engine — titanium turbine, of course... It wouldn't be necessary to change much of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution recipe of the past, keeping a four cylinder in line as it always was .
Electrons? Just to boost performance. A mild-hybrid 48V system could be enough to “power” an electrically driven compressor or turbo for a more immediate response…more electrifying.
Streaming? Four-wheel drive via a six-speed manual gearbox to ensure maximum interaction. And with the advances made in electronic control differentials and torque vectoring, since the Evo X left the scene, it would certainly hold astonishing efficiency and a heady driving experience.
Dreaming doesn't cost…