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Mitsubishi retires Evo name as we know it

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Initial D Evo V
Adam Schoeman

In a move that we have been expecting to happen for sometime now, Mitsubishi has announced that they they will no longer be using the Evolution name to denote a range of hardcore sedans.

According to Mitsubishi CEO Osamu Masuko the retirement of the name has to do with dwindling sales of the their last generation Evo as well as mounting pressure on emissions and efficient engine design.

The environmental concerns are chief amongst Mitsubishi worries for any future Evo units.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was first launched in 1993 and went through ten generational incarnations. They enjoyed success in the World Rally Championship and were a cult icon in Japan after the Evo IV and V were used as the antagonists in the street racing inspired manga Initial D.

Initial D Evo V

Initial D Evo V

But this is not to say that the Evo name will be shelved and never used again. In the same breath as announcing that no more sedans would be produced under the Evo moniker, Mitsubishi said that they would be looking transferring it to a hardcore hybrid SUV.

The Japanese firm has been trying numerous versions of a hybrid powered SUV in both racing and road use and their plugin hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) ASX is one of the most mature platforms in that market that you can buy.

They had also built a PHEV that tackled the Pikes Peak rally, the MiEV Evolution, which will hopefully set the tone for something with at least some teeth to wear the Evo name.

But while the name might live on in a SUV, it is still sad that the Evolutions reign has ended. The question must then be asked if key rival Subaru will be able to sustain the STi brand?

Subaru has been far more liberal in exploring new ways of packaging their STI from hatchback to sedan, which might be enough to keep it relevant. Hopefully so because its still the closest that most of us will ever get to driving a rally car on the road.

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