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Mitsubishi Evo Could be “Replaced” by a Crossover, Forget the 3000GT Revival

The story on the vehicle that will replace the Evo as Mitsubishi’s next halo car is getting stranger by the day. The latest report indicates that Mitsubishi will “replace” the Evo with a crossover.
Mitsubishi XR-PHEV 1 photo
Photo: Mitsubishi
Last time we talked about this, it seemed like the Japanese carmaker would put the Evolution nameplate on a shelf once this goes out of production in 2014 or 2015. Instead of a new Evo, Mitsubishi was believed to be bringing us a 3000GT revival.

Well, Mitsubishi Motors president Osamu Masuko recently told CarAdvice that the dropping sports car sales would require the company’s next halo model to be something that draws customer interest.

Thus, the SUV idea surfaced and Masuko didn’t exactly deny this. “Gradually the definition of an SUV is changing,” Masuko told the aforementioned source. “So I might anticipate that the borderline between Evolution and SUV might become more overarching.”

While for petrolheads the move would be a major disappointment, it would actually make commercial sense for Mitsubishi. The reason for which the Evo is being put to sleep is that Mitsubishi is trying to reposition itself as a green carmaker and the performance aroma of the Lancer Evolution doesn’t fit this.

Instead, the Japanese are marching down the SUV and crossover path, with the company having previewed the next-generation ASX compact crossover via the XR-PHEV concept - the one you see above. The concept mixed an 136 hp 1.1-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol unit with an 120 kW (193 hp) electric motor, feeding itself off a 14 kWh battery pack.

This all points to the fact that Mitsubishi could offer a spicier version of the next-generation ASX as the sporty offering in its range.

Via: CarAdvice
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About the author: Andrei Tutu
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In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist.
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