Who Knows, the EVO could become a Tin-Can in a few years ?
Mitsubishi: could small be beautiful?
August 6, 2002
Ten years after it replaced the Galant, the Lancer's career as a works rally car could be nearing its end. Mitsubishi is considering the possibility of using a new, smaller model based on a floorpan shared with Mercedes.

Senior Ralliart management has previously insisted that a smaller car would be developed solely for the Super 1600 Junior category, if at all. However, reliable sources maintain that Mitsubishi bosses have been told that the Lancer WRC2 is unlikely to beat the 206. In any case, like most new cars, the latest Lancer is heavier than the previous type. A change of model might also appeal. Since Daimler-Chrysler bought a stake in Mitsubishi Motors, new management has expressed concern that rallying has placed too much emphasis on the Lancer and too little on Mitsubishi as a whole.

No final decision has been taken and work on a Step 3 version of the Lancer has also begun.



Back to Headlines

RALLY ON ////////////////////

 

As I have mentioned earlier, since the EVO is getting its butt kicked by the 206WRC and Focus WRC, Mitsu (OR Daimler-Chrysler) might elect to develop a new platform to remain competitive in the WRC.

This might be the answer:

http://www.lancerforums.com/forums/s...hlight=concept

 

they have to take into consideration that the "Lancer EVO" is their flagship, seeing how toyota and nissan look a little bad since they stopped making the Supra and the Skyline (i know theres a new skyline comming but its years away)

 

Flagship? Highly doubtful, where is your source on that? Have you lived in Japan? I guess I'm curious what you define as flagship.

 

Actually it is thier flagship, the ceo said it. That is in North America.

In Signapore, I know it's a toss up between the evo and the GTO. However people there see the GTO as a more classy car and EVO's as a pure performance enthusicts.

What would you consider as mitsubishi's flagship?
Galant VR-4, GTO, or maybe the FTO celica thing?

 

The Lancer/Cedia Evolution series has hardly been a flagship model for MMC - especially since it was made by Ralliart, and designated a Ralliart model within MMC (and on paper).

Yes, the Galant VR-4 and the GTO were flagship models, though because of the SUV craze, it would be more accurate to say that the Pajero is their current flagship model. There is even a Pajero Evolution available...

The rumour has more than a few gains of truth in it. If you've seen the CZ3 Tarmac on the show circuit http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/d.../html/cz3.html than you've seen what the rumour is based on.

MMC is considering it as a replacement for the Lancer Evolution series as created by Ralliart, but not as a replacement for the upcoming Lancer/Cedia Turbo (aka the Evolution overseas). The Lancer Evolution was created purely as a homologation model for rallying - and if they want to be competitive, they need a lighter car than the Lancer/Cedia is turning into. The Lancer is changing into a larger, heavier car, like most of the Japanese models in that segment - it's necessary to compete in sales. So they are looking for a lighter replacement to start over with, and the upcoming Colt/CZ3 is a big possibility.

Paul Hansen

 

What does the new Colt/CZ3 look like anyways. Is it just fwd? I guess is blaming on the car since they lost their #1 driver tommy.

Never mind i just found it under your link. It's a 4dr civic si hatch. Yuck, I hate 4 dr hatch.

 

I was just referring to the fact that depending on what source you read or what you are reading about, "flagship" comes up under nearly every car model a manufacturer makes. Go check out car magazines, or hell just go search google for a car maker and the word flagship and I'll promise you'll find a whole slew of the same manufacture with like "10" flagships. The Carisma, Diamonte, Eclipse, the Lancer, **** all of the models are so called "flagships"...for their class. So its really hard to say one car is the flagship for the whole company.