Well, I hope will get better with this. Some of you also think that the Evo will just become another Dodge. But think of it this way....Mercedes owns Chrysler....I won't mind driving a Merecedes Now only if they can get their new F1 car running right..........

 

It's called globalization.

The neon will use the lancer chassis, but the 4g9x is at a dead end. I predict the lancer with used a 420a, more cost effective than sourcing from JPN for parts.

Yes, the Evo will probably pull out of the states. They aren't selling as much as the 3g eclipse GT and GTS. I have talked about this to a salesman. He was gripping that Mitsu FUBAR on the targetting demographics. No 18-22 year old can afford the sticker shock and insurance at the same time. Therefore, the SRT will reign as the only TC.

Before you go ape-****z, in JPN, their legislature passed stricter emission laws in 00 or 02. It killed the S15 just two years of its existance while the Skyline losed its RB engine. All nissan guys knows this.

Hell, if Toyo from rumors wants to bring back the Supra, it won't be TC, just a bigger Q45 motor. Now, tell me, will mitsu just produce the EVo for outside of their home market? This does not make much business sense. Watch for the next EVo will have some version of the 6g7x.

That old lancer from Dodge was not Mitsu design. Chrysler had the brand name until Mercedes bought them out.

 

bleh who cares what happens, i dont intend on ever owning another evo after this one and it doesnt bother me that mitsu is being bought out. mitsu needs it and hopefully it will be good for the company.

 

The 4G9 series of engines is indeed dead, and being replaced by the new Global Alliance Engines being built by , DCX and Hyundai. The 420A is also dead.

The EVO is a low margin (no margin), low volume product not intended to compete with the Eclipse. Further, the EVO is also 's flagship model (like the 3000GT was) and will likely continue to be sold for another 1 to 2 years until the appearance of the next gen Lancer platform in 2006.
At that point, with the platform sharing, it is possible that there will be a U.S. version of the EVO and a "Global" version for other markets...
Nothing is confirmed though but we will know more on April 30th, when the new business turnaround plan will be announced.

Though I think it is unlikely that will use a V6 in the EVO (especially a 6G7 unit), it is possible, that the U.S. will get a TC'd version of the new Global Engine Alliance 2.4l I-4...

 

I think it'd be more likely that the new EVO would be released with the 2.0L MIVEC L6 (Sorry, guys, I don't know the engine code on that one, unless 6Gxx helps you out ). Just a thought.

 

what about a viperlution?

 

more like a de-volution

 

Could it be the Lancer Extinction is coming soon?

 

Earlier reports said that the next gen Neon and Lancer will be off of the same platform. My prediction is that the Evo will continue to be the highest horsepower and technology, while the new neon will be a de-tuned version of the Evo with AWD. This should place the next Neon as a four door version of the upcoming Eclipse.

 

I just can't see Mitsu using TC in the future because of their home emission laws and high red ink. Putting a TC on a new engine is risky business while the 6g7x is a proven motor. Mitsu will not make a niche market car while Mercedes is the overlord. Yes, I understand the flagship program, but it can only do so much on the bottom line curbing red ink, even the 3K GT VR4 died whimpering into the night.

If other auto makers in JPN are turning towards NA, what makes Mitsu immune to gov't laws? I don't know about the minicompacts TC like Starlets and their ilks of low displacement TC.

The 420a will be dead. Why? Chrysler built tons of them on the road, and it's a proven motor for them. I see it's more cost effective to continue its usage, especially after fixing the headgasket problem on the 2g neon.

 

Your arguments are certainly valid and do make very good sense.
As I mentioned earlier, the pending restructuring may change announcements made earlier by .
However, IMHO we can expect to continue making a limited number of TC'd non-mini cars. Three reasons:

1) 's continued support of WRC and Group N

2) 's renewed vigor in Europe and the demand for performance hot hatches ( has already announced a TC 3-door COLT for 2005)

3) Subaru and Toyota's continued support of several TC'd cars despite new emissions regs (Toyota's Mark II is a mainstay TC sedan as is the Legacy)

Of course both Toyota and Subaru have a more solid foundation. As such, I may end up eating my word. I am confident that will not abandon forced induction given that they were able to have the EVO pass Cali emissions (which are currently the toughest emissions regs in the world).

Maybe I'm just and overly optimistic fool :P

EDIT: I forgot to answer the 420A question. The Global Engine Alliance is taking over production of all small/medium displacement 4-cylinder engines for the North American, European, Japanese and Korean markets for , DCX and Hyundai.
Of course, the 420A may still be used for markets elsewhere.

 

Mitsu does need help, though. Minus our car which as already stated makes the company little margin, what does Mitsu have now? Crap, that's what. Look at the newest Galant, its just hideous. And the Outlander.. Ugh. The regular Lancer, Endeavor, and the Monteros don't inspire much home. The company needs DC's touch badly.

While I'd abhor to see the turbocharger and 4G63 go south.. and the Evo be anything like the SET-4, I hope for Mitsu's sake that DC does this and turns their company around. They sure as crap saved Dodge from certain death.

 

DC saved Chrysler by killing plymouth. That's a pretty easy choice.

Unfortunately, GM doesn't know how to do that to Buick. While Caddy is trying to cater the younger mature owners, Buick is targetting senior citizens grabbing their SS checks.

Also, if you look on the road, there are tons of lancers, 3g eclipses (slowing sales a bit), and the modern galant. Mitsu should pull out of the SUV market and let Chrysler do their thing.