The Lancer Evolution will be the car Mistubishi returns to the WRC with in the 2004 year. But judging from the statement below, it's days in the WRC are numbered as thier focus seems to be towards the Colt Evoution. If it was up in the air before about the Lancer/Colt thing, it seems they've now made a solid decision. Here is the latest quote from Mitsubishi's team boss:

"Mitsubishi meanwhile has said that it will stick with the Lancer WRC when the team returns to the WRC the season after next.

"We will go into 2004 with the Lancer because 12 months is no time to develop a complete car," said Sven Quandt, boss of Mitsubishi Motor Sports. "I doubt the Colt will be ready – we are just evaluating and that's a very early stage to say if it is possible or not. Obviously we would like to have the Colt, but I think the Lancer can be competitive, even though it is a bigger car than the other ones."

 

Maybe they'll actually get a couple manufacturers points in '04! Good luck but after being beaten by Hyundai, don't fault me for not being too confident in the EVO's rally performance. If I were them, I would just hold out, put the Colt in later and save some $$$ in '04!

 

I dont see why they dont just go back to using evo VI. They were kicking butt with them.

 

Mitsubishi felt they had reached the development limit on the Evo VI, so thereby needing a change.

 

You're forgetting how far ahead Pug's are in comparison with other mfg's. With their WRC title and dominance in 1600 class, 206's 1of the best sellers, even in JDM.

 

At least now Mitsubishi has hired Peugeot's chief development engineer who was in charge of the 206 WRC. This will be interesting to see what he can do with the Colt Evo.

 

I guess this means they don't plan on being terribly competative in 2004. I doubt they hired Mario to work on the Lancer, so whenever the Colt is ready you can expect Mitsubishi to do well again.

 

keep rallying the evo wrc and add the colt evo later than have a one year hiatus. keep the evo wrc alive