TOKYO: It is in the air that a new high-performance vehicle from Mitsubishi is on its way, but not exactly in the form you might think.
Managing director of Mitsubishi U.K. Lance Bradley hinted to AE that the next Evo could come in the form of a high-performance version of the next-generation Mitsubishi Outlander Sport crossover (called the ASX in Europe). Bradley says that a redesigned version of this compact crossover launches next year in both standard gasoline and plug-in hybrid forms, and suggests that a performance variant would be a candidate to continue on the Evolution nameplate. Details are slim at this point, but this hypothetical high-powered crossover would use Mitsubishi’s gas-electric hybrid technology and route its power through all four wheels.
This isn’t the first we’ve heard about a potential Evo crossover, as reports came out last year saying that the performance nameplate would stay alive on a future hybrid crossover. Mitsubishi also previously confirmed that its next high-performance model would utilize a hybrid drivetrain, pulling technology from the i-MiEV Evolution II Pikes Peak race car. Expect Mitsubishi to draw inspiration for the next Outlander Sport from its various XR-PHEV concepts (pictured) shown at various auto shows during the 2014-2015 season.
