Looks like Mitsubishi is finally pulling the plug on the Lancer Evo.
The 8 with be the last in this line.
With Mitsubishi needing to refocus their rallying efforts on a smaller car, the evolution will continue with the next Colt model.

Enjoy the 8...............
Perhaps the Colt will make it to these shores maybe 10 years from now, given Mitsu Usa's insistance of arriving late to the party....

 

Where's is the proof?
Are you telling me they are doing all this r&d and marketing to bring the Evo for one year?! I don't think so..doesn't make even a tad bit of sense. They may use a different platform in a few years but there will still be an "Evo"

 

I'll believe it when MMC announces it. It may not be their WRC rally car anymore (there's a thread about that somewhere), but I don't think they'd discontinue such a popular line. That'd be like a self-administered kick in the nuts for a company that has been struggling in the first place.

 

IMO, if this is true, then it's good news and bad news. The bad news being that the Evolution series might be coming to an end, and the STi taking the lead. The good news, anyone who owns the Evolution VIII will not have to worry about releasing a better model than the one they own, if this is true! I personally would hate it if I purchased a car, and the next year or so, they release that same car with MUCH better specs., while the price is still within the same range! So, either way, I'll be satisfied with the US Lancer Evolution!

 

See this weeks Autocar magazine - UK.
They're normally spot on.
Remember, the car has been on sale in some parts of the world for over 10 years now.

 

Though Autocar is a respectable magazine, they are not automotive industry analysts.
The Lancer Evolution is a worldwide halo car for and will be their flagship here in the U.S.
What will likely be replaced is the Lancer WRC while the Lancer EVO will continue for at least this generation. Given the average lifespan of platforms, that's another 3-4 years yielding 2-3 more evolutions.

 

What would be the point in launching the Lancer in America, then launching the EVO VIII then pulling the plug. It doesn't make any sense.

 

what difference does it make?

 

There is a big confusion of names - no surprise, MMC hasn't kept things entirely clear themselves.

Ralliart makes Evolution versions of Lancers for WRC homologation rules. The vehicles themselves are not properly MMC vehicles, at least on paper. In Japan, it's been fairly clear - Evolution models are Ralliart specials, same as STI models of Subaru's having gone through the Subaru Technica International factory, the Evolutions went through Ralliart's hands.

MMC does not sell a Lancer/Cedia Evolution. Ralliart does. So, technically, the Evo 8 will not be the last Lancer Evolution sold *by* MMC, though it may be sold *through* MMC.

Now, onto the further confusion. Because of marketing reasons, the upcoming JDM Cedia Turbo will be rebadged overseas as the Lancer Evolution. This will be the first "evolution" sold (and made) *by* MMC. (yes, I've really got to sit down and type and article up about this). Anyways, I digress. While in name this is an Evolution model, it isn't, really. But it's important in marketing terms that it's seen as a Lancer Evolution, because that's what everybody knows as a name. If MMC simply called it a Lancer Turbo, the unwashed masses would give a collective burp of dismissal and would continue to throw rocks at MMC dealers asking for a Lancer Evolution. However, once you get past all that, in many regards the Cedia Turbo is a Evolution model - it should be using the Evo bodyshell with revised components and cheaper bits and bobs, making it affordable.

The key word here is affordable. MMC was content to wash it's hands of the Ralliart Evolutions and let them be sold at a loss. It was content until profits dived horrendously, and Daimler-Chrysler saved their behinds by buying up a large portion of the company. And DC's involvement now consists of making them profitable - which means no more vehicles sold at a loss. This is the reason for the huge price jump on the Lancer Evolution 7.5, aka the GT-A.

However, people, despite all their claims of wanting the full Monty, don't want to pay for it. They want cheap performance, and the Lancer Evolution will satisfy that requirement. And...

Sheesh, back on subject.

The Lancer Evolution that this board is interested in is properly a Ralliart Evolution model series. That model series will come to an end if MMC and Ralliart decides to become more competitive in WRC and use the Colt platform as their base. The entire reason the Evolution was created was to win at WRC. They will do what they need to win, let them do that.

The Lancer Evolution that may continue in existence for years and years to come will be related to the Ralliart Evolutions of the past, but do expect that it will become more like the WRX/B4 lineup that Subaru has. More models, different levels of trim and performance, and a vehicle that more people can afford that will also pass international emissions and safety standards.

Cheers,

Paul "needs coffee asap" Hansen

 

Do you have proof of the US only receiving the Cedia Turbo? Or is this still just speculation as in the previous article you wrote for Apex Japan?

 

Sorry, problem with off-the-cuff writing. I didn't mean to imply that the states will only get the Lancer Turbo, aka the Lancer Evolution. It's more than probable that the U.S. will also get the Ralliart Lancer Evolution 8 in some form, or the 8.5.

However, signs and speculation do point towards Ralliart using a different platform in the future for homologation reasons.

That doesn't preclude there being no more Ralliart Lancers, but the intent for them will have shifted. There have been Pajero Evolution models, for instance, so it's not impossible there will be future Ralliart Lancer Evolution models even after a shift to a different platform for the WRC homologation model. However, the amount of RnD and work to the platform would certainly change.

Paul Hansen

 

Ok, thanks for clearing that up.

Now if you could only find out if the Ralliart Evolution will be available right away in the US beginning in 2003. Or if is gonna try and fool us with this "other" Evolution...

 

That is so beautiful it's almost poetic. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Question: Your previous posts/articles suggested the US would be getting the Cedia Turbo aka the Evo 8 world model. This jives with what I have heard from other sources. Do you now have info that the full spec car will be coming our way? When you say 8.5 I assume you mean in early 2004? Please elaborate.

Do you also have any details on the Tarmac/Colt WRC car? I fear that Mitsubishi will relegate it to the "hot hatch" segment and not give it more than 200 bhp or so. My reasoning is that Mitsubishi has invested significant resources in bringing the Cedia based Evo to the states. They are banking on it being their performance "flagship". If they then follow up with a JDM only 300 bhp hatchback that weighs as much as a Civic, the unwashed masses will start *****ing that the real performance car is still in Japan and turn up their noses at the once coveted Cedia Evo.

Your thoughts?

 

Just something I heard in passing - Ralliart is concentrating on creating the JDM Evolution 8 right now, and by the time it is finalized for USA release, it may be at version 8.5. These version changes can happen quite quick, so the time span may be minimal. Or they could have version 8 ready to go from scratch.

The unwashed masses will continue to have something to ***** about. With emissions and safety standards being different between the countries, it is rather likely that the JDM cars will continue to be a bit to a lot faster. Personally, I don't care who has the fastest car, as long as I get a fast enough car that is fun to drive. Besides, since America doesn't have an hp limit, there is a possibility (and rumours) that the American versions would be faster, at least "stock".

Paul Hansen

 

I'm not sure of this so bare with me,

when america got the WRX there was still the more powerful WRX type R/ STI in japan right? Yet the american people still gave in to the WRX even though it isent the fastest car that subaru makes.