Now Motor Trend has shed some new light on the car’s development. Citing an inside source, the American publication reports that the design goal for the next Evo is “uncompromised handling with state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid EV technology.”
This is said to have warranted the need for a bespoke platform, hence a decision has been made to no longer tie the Evo with the basic Lancer, whose next generation is likely to be based on a Renault platform.
As for the drivetrain, the word on the street is that it will still be a diesel-electric hybrid setup. According to Motor Trend’s source, Mitsubishi is investigating the use of a three-cylinder diesel engine paired with two electric motors. One electric motor would aid the engine and together power one axle, while the second electric motor would power the opposing axle.
This particular setup forms what's known as a through-the-road hybrid all-wheel-drive system, and is similar to that found in the Porsche 918 Spyder. Mitsubishi's engineers are said to be targeting handling superior to that of any previous Evo model.
Unfortunately, all of the technology will likely to push the car into Nissan GT-R and Acura NSX territory, meaning a much steeper starting price than the current model’s $35,820 sticker. It will also likely to push the car’s launch date back by a few years.
