New Mitsubishi president dreams of Lancer Evolution return, but for now it’s just a dream
Mitsubishi fans received a small dose of hope this month when the company’s new president was asked about a possible revival of the brand’s most famous models. While he didn’t announce anything concrete, he made it clear that he would like to see Mitsubishi as a company capable of creating a new Lancer Evolution.
These comments came during Mitsubishi’s annual shareholder meeting in Japan, where one investor called on the automaker to consider reviving models such as the Lancer Evolution, Galant and Diamante, following the return of the Pajero this year.
A significant part of Mitsubishi’s image in the 1990s and 2000s was based on rally victories and sports sedans, but today the company is better known for its SUVs, pickup trucks, and alliance-built products like the rebadged Eclipse, which is actually a Nissan Leaf.
Acknowledging historical legacy
Unfortunately, Keisuke Kishiura, a 33-year Mitsubishi veteran who became president and chief operating officer in April, did not make any product announcements. Instead, he acknowledged the importance of these historical models to the company’s identity.
“The Lancer Evolution, Diamante and Galant are very important cars for Mitsubishi Motors, and we consider them treasures. At this point, there are no specific plans to introduce them, but to meet your expectations, we would like to make the company capable of creating such a great car again in the future,” Japanese publication Car Watch quoted Kishiura as saying.
This is as close to an Evo revival as you’re likely to hear right now. Interestingly, Kishiura himself appears to be a genuine car enthusiast. During the meeting, he shared that one of the first cars he drove was an old Mitsubishi Lancer Turbo with a manual transmission.
Dreams of WRC return
He also said he still loves to drive and admitted that returning to the World Rally Championship (WRC) would be a dream. Again, there are no specific plans regarding WRC. But hearing a Mitsubishi boss openly talk about WRC and sports cars seems at least a positive step in the right direction.
Current company priorities
For now, the company’s priorities lie elsewhere. Mitsubishi recently outlined a strategy focused on strengthening its lineup of SUVs, off-road vehicles, ASEAN market models, and electrified vehicles. It also wants to leverage partnerships with Nissan, Renault, and other companies to reduce development costs.
So, a new Evo would be an expensive distraction right now, but ultimately, every legend starts with an idea. The Lancer Evolution may not return anytime soon, but for the first time in a long while, a Mitsubishi boss at least sounds like someone who wishes it would.
The statement from Mitsubishi’s new president, though cautious, indicates a shift in sentiment within the company’s leadership. In an environment where most manufacturers are focused on electrification and crossovers, even a theoretical discussion about bringing back iconic sports models like the Lancer Evolution can be a signal to enthusiasts. However, given the company’s current strategy aimed at practical and cost-effective models, realizing such ambitions would require significant time and resources, as well as a change in the brand’s global priorities.