Several months back, I was contacted by the public relations team at Mitsubishi about an “exciting product introduction” slated for spring 2021. “Could this be the long-awaited return of the Evo XI?” I pondered optimistically. Alas, it wasn’t a new Evolution but rather the latest Outlander crossover, based on a shared platform within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, which Mitsubishi joined in late 2016, shortly after the final Evo X rolled off the assembly line. While the company didn’t disclose the exact platform the Outlander is built upon, it is highly likely to be the same one used for the Nissan Rogue. This sparked a thought.
It has become increasingly evident that unless Mitsubishi Motors experiences a stroke of luck at the corporate level, the revival of the Lancer Evolution seems unlikely without substantial assistance from another car manufacturer. But…imagine if it actually received help from another automaker? Picture Mitsubishi rejuvenating the Evo through a transformed, rebranded, recalibrated, repackaged, four-door Nissan GT-R instead.
Mitsubishi
Reflect on this: both nameplates have been widely recognized for incorporating highly capable all-wheel-drive systems into modest-looking vehicles. These Japanese track beasts offer exceptional cornering speeds out of the box. Considering their partnership in a corporate alliance, why not leverage the GT-R engine setup to revive the dearly missed Evolution? When you face the last Evo head-on, you’ll notice a striking resemblance between the two cars, particularly in their prominent, darkened, hat-shaped grilles.
For those who argue that the Nissan’s 3.8-liter V6 with over 560 horsepower might not feel like a true Evolution due to the absence of a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, I urge you to contemplate the essence of the term “evolution.” Car enthusiasts often resist change, especially when it comes to iconic performance vehicles, but if there’s a car permitted to evolve, it should be the Evolution.
This wouldn’t be the first occasion where GT-R components were repurposed into a more pragmatic design. Remember the GT-R-powered Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge concept? How about the outrageous Juke-R? Adapting Godzilla’s powertrain into a non-GT-R vehicle is entirely feasible. Moreover, a GT-R Evolution would undoubtedly outshine a production model derived from Mitsubishi’s e-Evolution electric concept crossover showcased a few years ago.
Pursue it, Mitsubishi. What have you got to lose? Oh, and ditch the “Lancer.” Simply go with “Evolution” this time. It’s more elegant.
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