Here's the thing. The Evo is really a brand in itself and Mitsubishi -- generally-- knows branding. So there's a couple things I see at play here:

1. Modern turbo diesels have a ton of potential. So Mitsu could very well come out with one but will only put the Evo badge on it if it fits the Evo brand. If it's like a Jetta TDI, they'll probably just put a Lancer badge on it.

2. PR campaigns prior to launch sometime take the strategy of putting out false info to hype the launch. It's also a way to stay in the news-- better than a swoopier body line here or new light there. Example, it was being reported the Chevrolet Volt is going to cost $40K but everyone knows Chevy could never get away with that price. So when it comes out selling at high $20K's, it seems like a deal. So when Mitsu releases a clean diesel turbo which still packs tons of torque and power potential, we'll all rejoice.

 

sad, very sad

 

I've actually always wondered why hybrids like the prius weren't small displacement diesels instead of anemic gas wheezy engines.

Anyway, I don't see why a diesel hybrid with a CVT transmission couldn't be a fast car and economical too. Motorsports is about pushing technology and if I recall the diesels have been kicking *** at LeMans for a few year now right?

BTW, can we leave the political crap out of this? Bottom line is regardless of your politics the current consumer buzz word is "green" and every company needs to be perceived as making strides to be more environmentally friendly.

 

At what cost?
I presumed that CAFE was initially determined by the sum of the fuel economy of the entire line, not making niche models conform to standards that will completely alienate prospective buyers. This was BMW's original interpretation, to have a fleet that was comprised of primarily MINI in the USA, because the large cars could never meet those numbers.

I am not advocating that everyone toss their catalytic convertors in the trash, but the news stating that Corvettes and Camaros are looking to V6 turbos on the horizon is a serious blow to the automotive enthusiast.


I don't think diesels winning Lemans is a technology that can trickle down to production cars, because those cars are giant displacement and not practical. You and I know better, a 335d will never make the power of a 335i. Low end torque is awesome, but to make horsepower with a diesel, you need displacement, because horsepower wins races. A diesel Evo will not have the potential of a petrol gasoline Evo. It might if they are thinking large displacement, but this is a Japanese car, so we know they are not.

Kyle, I am sorry if my initial post came off as hostile, I was just blowing off steam. I appreciate your opinion, no matter what it may be.

I just feel like the Evo is moving more and more away from what it was, and they cannot fathom why sales are continuing to spiral down.

 

Regarding the political stuff all I'm saying is we can leave the liberal/conservative & Dem/Rep BS out of it. The conservative GW is the one that signed the bill bumping the CAFE standards up in 2020. So, I'd say it seems that both sides of the aisle agree cars need to become more efficient for a multitude of reasons. That and it has all the makings to degrade into a political argument as opposed to a discussion of cars and technology.

Anyway, I think it's normal for people to fear change. I remember people freaking out about EFI, cats and emissions yet, somehow we found a way to increase performance even with those. Times change and you have to adapt.

I'm sure when racecars first came out with things EFI, OHC, independent suspension, disc brakes, DSG gear boxes, electronic dampening control, carbon ceramic brakes, composite chassis, etc...people all thought they wouldn't trickle into road cars or were too expensive to make it but, it's all here now.

It's not like the Lemans cars are ridiculously huge displacements either. The Audi is a 5.5L. Besides that most rally cars rarely see speeds over 120mph and want huge torque over hp to pull them out of the turns. Really IMO the key is getting a transmission (like a CVT) to take advantage of the diesel's characteristics.

 

I know that we will be forced to embrace newer technologies and learn how to extract power from them. I also agree with the fear of change, etc.

Mitsu hasn't had a factory backed rally car in ages, so you can bet they aren't doing it for the performance, rather the pressure. Subaru decided to cave in too, voila. You know that there is no way they will make anything large displacement, but we can hope/dream.

I see hybrids here catching on due to them being rammed down our throat, but people time and again have proven that diesel passenger cars just don't sell here. If that is the case, it will be the exit of the Evo/STI from this country, I am confident of at least that.

The good old days are right now. It will take the technology some time to catch up, but you are right it will eventually. But today is 1969 all over again, just with way newer stuff.

 

I love Mitsu but this isn't music to my ears whatsoever.

 

While I don't like the idea of a hybrid or diesel EVO, as long as Mitsu does their homework and really engineers the car right I'm sure it will sell and eventually out perform the EVO X. Until the performance is up to par though, I hope they offer the hybrid or diesel as an option and still produce a normal gas engine.

 

Well if this is true, im just going to keep buying my cars used lol. I don't care how much torque or electric horsepower these hybrids can possibly make. There is no substitution for gas powered cars in my mind. Mitsu should just make the new Evo run on E-85 from the factory.

 

Until there is an official announcement I'm not going to get too excited. I do find it amusing how much people complain about change. Everytime you see a new model car come out there's nothing but whining and complaining that the past models were better (happens on all brands not just here). Time doesn't stand still and you can't expect 1990's products in 2015. Like it or not hybrid vehicles are going to become more prominent. All I know is that I'm not going to freak out until Mitsubishi actually releases details and then after acessing what they plan on doing I'll decide on taking a swig of haterade or not.

 

I remember several years ago reading a car magazine, they had all these tests on different modded cars, 0-60, 1/4 mile, braking and also mpg.
they made all the cars drive a certain long distance to see who gets the most gas mileage.
The EVO got 40+ mpg and has over 500-600hp
WTF why cant manufacturers do the same?

i wont ever sell my EVO, after all I came up with this thread---> https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...o-forever.html

 

their goes mitsu stock !
v

 

No no no!
Mitsubishi please stop!!!

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/250385/

read second paragraph and get your weekend ruined.. apparently Mitsubishi was planning to axe the Evo altogether... oh God help them if they do that... the'd be better have to pack their belongings and get the hell out cause people will definitively turn their back on them... I think most people who buy a Mitsu do so with the idea that one day, maybe one day, they will be able to afford an Evo

lol at my last comment, but hey I bet most pedestrian-Lancer owners do haha!

wow... what will happen with the aftermarket parts/tuning community once the Evo ditches its petrol engine????

:-(

 

Due mainly to Kyle's wisdom that this thread would become a disaster, I have edited my own posts and moved political discussion here: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ne...el-thread.html

Should you wish to discuss the political side of things or other off topic discussions (like if Curt Brown can get 30mpg), please continue in that thread.

Let's keep this one on point. I've also retitled the thread so people can know what the real topic is at hand here, the change over to a hybrid diesel platform.

 

I hope someone at Mitsubishi reads this.

I cannot help but think they could do minor changes and make the next chassis Evo incredible.

The thing this car really needs to do is lose weight. A new chassis that is similar weight of the CT9A chassis would be great. Granted the economy is tough to navigate around, but these changes could be great for fuel economy as well as performance:

-Reduce curb weight to approx 3250 pounds.
-Retain 4B11, but have slight changes (better pistons, ring lands that are not questionable, slightly upsize turbo, etc)
-Add a new 6 speed manual that is very robust, but has a tall sixth gear for cruising. This together with the less weight could easily propel this car to much closer to 30mpg, and save a ton of money not having to do the R&D on a new engine that nobody is going to want.
-Nicer interior bits. Some aluminum or CF trim

I think these changes would have a profound effect on the performance, perception, and allow it to return better fuel economy.

What is not to like about this idea? The 4B11 has a ton of potential, its only been in service 3 years. The 4G63 was in service for around 20 years. There is a lot more that can be extracted from the 4B11, don't chuck it all now. Other than the economy, the X is not selling as well as it could because it is overweight, has very short gearing, and styling that leaves some unsatisfied.

You can do it, Mitsu! Continue the Evo on the right way, don't flush money down the drain on something that is destined to fail.