Photo: Tudor Raiciu
Previewed in 2005 by the Concept-X at the Tokyo Motor Show, the current generation Mitsubishi Lancer is one of the oldest models in the Japanese automaker’s lineup. It started production back in 2007, yet Mitsubishi is still in a tough place regarding development for the next generation of the Lancer.
Chronological-wise, the Mitsubishi brand’s first hit model was the Lancer. Then the Pajero SUV became a revered off-road machine, after which the EVO nameplate got on the scene in 1992. It pains us to say this, but the mighty EVO and all that badge stands for will disappear later in 2015. Before that happens, there’s a Lancer EVO Final Edition coming in August.
To put it simply, Mitsubishi will get rid of the Lancer (and EVO) due to rising demand for crossover SUVs and little demand for sedans. A few years ago, the company tried to convince Renault to help with the development of the next-generation Lancer, but that venture stalled earlier in 2015. Without a partner, the peeps from Mitsubishi are implying that R&D for a new Lancer might be postponed. This bit of news is saddening, especially after the Galant mid-size sedan kicked the bucked a few years back.
Speaking to WardsAuto, the executive vice prez of Mitsubishi North America Don Swearingem said: "We are talking with a potential partner at this time, [but] at the same time we're doing an internal design of the vehicle. We're running parallel because we cannot wait any longer to see if a partnership will work out."
"If it falls through then we're another year behind." Who’s the partner? Voices hints toward Nissan, Renault’s alliance partner. If this potential partnership for its next C-segment model falls, Mitsubishi will have to dial back the launch of the next-generation Lancer due to limited resources.
Don also implies that the all-new Lancer is “18 months to two years out” even if a deal will be finalized later this year. To make things worse, Don hints that resurrecting the EVO nameplate for a plug-in hybrid CUV (probably the all-new ASX) is “a little further off than people would imagine.”
When asked about how will the death of the EVO will fair with enthusiasts and owners, the Mitsubishi official had this to say: “it’s done very well for us, but we have to move on.” Boo and hiss!
To put it simply, Mitsubishi will get rid of the Lancer (and EVO) due to rising demand for crossover SUVs and little demand for sedans. A few years ago, the company tried to convince Renault to help with the development of the next-generation Lancer, but that venture stalled earlier in 2015. Without a partner, the peeps from Mitsubishi are implying that R&D for a new Lancer might be postponed. This bit of news is saddening, especially after the Galant mid-size sedan kicked the bucked a few years back.
Speaking to WardsAuto, the executive vice prez of Mitsubishi North America Don Swearingem said: "We are talking with a potential partner at this time, [but] at the same time we're doing an internal design of the vehicle. We're running parallel because we cannot wait any longer to see if a partnership will work out."
"If it falls through then we're another year behind." Who’s the partner? Voices hints toward Nissan, Renault’s alliance partner. If this potential partnership for its next C-segment model falls, Mitsubishi will have to dial back the launch of the next-generation Lancer due to limited resources.
Don also implies that the all-new Lancer is “18 months to two years out” even if a deal will be finalized later this year. To make things worse, Don hints that resurrecting the EVO nameplate for a plug-in hybrid CUV (probably the all-new ASX) is “a little further off than people would imagine.”
When asked about how will the death of the EVO will fair with enthusiasts and owners, the Mitsubishi official had this to say: “it’s done very well for us, but we have to move on.” Boo and hiss!
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