This is a cut & paste from the Allpar web site.

The SRT-4 is quite a hit, but Dodge lost the opportunity to maximize Neon halo sales by using a unique front clip and not using the Neon name. Still, Neons seem to be selling through association.

The current Neon ends in 2006. However, here's the good news:

The replacement will be built in Belvedere. It will use the hot new engine jointly designed by Mitsubishi, Chrysler, and Hyundai, and built in Michigan (and Korea and Japan). There may be a very hot optional engine, designed and built by Chrysler, not needing a turbocharger.

It is being designed by a team of Chrysler and Mitsubishi engineers. While both are working together on a common platform, the final cars will be very different in character. In North America and Europe, the Chrysler version will be used, even when sold under the Mitsubishi name. In Asia, the Middle East, and South America, the Mitsubishi version will be used, even when sold under the Dodge name. The Dodge and Mitsuibshi versions will have unique interiors and exteriors, and different suspension tuning.

The Lancer EVO will come to the US as a Dodge, with extensive Chrysler involvement in engineering in the two door version. The four door will be primarily worked on by Mitsubishi engineers, though members of the Neon ACR team are helping them, thanks to their strong rally and SCCA success. (The Neon traces its pedigree back to the Shelby Dodges, partly through John Fernandez).

An SUV version will almost certainly be built, and may be sold as the Compass. PT styling will be transferred to this platform in 2006.

It will almost certainly not be called a Neon, and will probably be sold as a sedan, talk of "no more three box vehicles" not to be taken too seriously.

 

Say it isn't so. Where did you get this, and what is Allpar? I think that is the mitsubishi EVO was turned into a dodge, the die-hard market would dry up for sure. I know that there is no way that I would want a Dodge EVO or whatever, not to mention on a new motor, that no one has any experience in tuning. Also, I think part of the appeal of the EVO is that it is turbocharges and therefore is easy to mod. NA cars will never have the same potentiial, no matter who says what. Also, the EVO has been reworked for almost 10 years, and where else can you find a car under 30K that can almost pull 1 G on the skidpad?? I know that Dodge might need a more realistic halo car that people can actually afford instead of the Viper, but unless the two cars are almost identical, I would never get one.

And who can forget, the EVO is here because the WRX was a success with its Rally inspired formula. That is why the STI came over too. Sorry but dodge can't get into this market, and therfore can not successfully capitalize on the appeal of the EVO. Besides everyone knows that the Japanese styling if the EVo will be more agressive and better looking than any american counterpart.

 

This is unbelevable.. I have never heard of allpar. Is that a very reliable source?

As far as a "dodge EVO" goes, they will never be able to duplicate what mitsu has done for years even with mitsu's engineers. I hardly also want to belive that mitsu would want to give dodge this opportunity seeing that this is thier new flagship car in the us. I would lose a lot of respect for any mitsu engineer that would dump the current engine to work on something that dodge wants to produce..

A change like this will crush mitsu sales tremendiously. And there is no way that this joint venture could give us the type of power for the dollar that the EVO currently gives. Well if this does happen then i guess im glad to have a real EVO and not a overpriced watered down dodge. And for my future buying it would lead me to nissan for a nice skyline (by the way are they going to make a new one and bring it over, not redesign into a different car but a real skyline) sorry about the OT i was just wonderin

Just my thoughts

 

Never heard of Allpar. But, as Mitsu stated, the US Evo will being going an entirely different path than the JDM Evo in it's future forms. Or maybe they are just tryin to scare people to pick up the remaining Evos at the dealerships.

 

http://www.allpar.com/

As for the news, heres the page: http://www.allpar.com/neon/neon2.html

The date says May, 2nd. Discuss...

 

the main website for Chrysler related stuff is www.mopar.com. I looked up Allpar.com and it appears to be a fan info site for Chrysler.

 

I'm calling BS on this even though I would LOVE to believe it! Fine by me if they want to quit bringing the true EVOs to the states...makes mine all the more valuable in 10 years.

 

No F***ING way is going to give the Evo to Dodge. They've done so much to make the Evo the supercar it is. They won't just hand it over to Dodge to turn it into an American POS wannabe rally car. As for the US Evo evolving separately from the JDM Evo, it won't evolve into another built-in-America POS Eclipse. The Evo is MITSUBISHI's flag ship in the US. Whoever wrote this article must be smoking some crazy s***!!

 

This is a nightmare. Oh please tell me I'm back in Kansas, safe again!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by: Savedsol Never heard of Allpar. But, as Mitsu stated, the US Evo will being going an entirely different path than the JDM Evo in it's future forms. Or maybe they are just tryin to scare people to pick up the remaining Evos at the dealerships.[/ QUOTE]

I also read somewhere something similar to the above qoute by Savedsol, Mitsu stated "that the current US Evo is almost identicle to the JDM version but they will evolve into entirely different cars in the future."

Makes me feel better that I got the Evo now while it's still a real Evo.

 

This is just like GM taking the STi and turning it into a new SAAB. Damn Chrysler and GM!!! I won't be as pissed and shocked if Ford took over Mitsu cause Ford's got more of a rally heritage and world motorsports fame from F1.

 

Its all about $$$...be thankful you have the ability to drive the evolution. Because I would expect the next itineration to be a more comfortable luxurious sports sedan. While I love the simplicity of my evo, I dont want AYC, cruise or any of that crap. Just give me aftermarket support to beef up what I have!

 

If the next Evo becomes a luxury sports sedan, the STi will rule the streets. That wouldn't really be good for Mitsu. And if I didn't get my Evo now and the next becomes a luxury sports sedan I would've gone straight to the STi.

 

This thread is full of rumors. I wouldn't worry about anything at this point. 2006 is a looooonng time away. Alot of things can happen between now and then.....

Amazing how a few folks can start a rumor, and instantly see the rumor repeated on nearly every automotive board out there..... Only on the internet.

 

But everything you read on the internet is 100% factual truth!