One of History’s Greatest Automotive Rivalries Could Make a Comeback Thanks to Mitsubishi

The company hasn’t given up on the Lancer Evolution, and dreams of reviving one of its most iconic cars could become a reality.

Close-up of red Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution rear with taillight and badge.

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By Chris Chin

Published 3 hours ago

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Mitsubishi reportedly hasn’t entirely given up on the Lancer Evolution, according to one of the automaker’s chief engineers. Speaking with our friends at Australia’s Drive, the outlet caught up with Kaoru Sawase, who openly said that he and the company consistently dream of reviving “the Evo.”

But more so, Sawase-san, who’s known as the “godfather” of Mitsu’s groundbreaking Super All-Wheel Control all-wheel-drive system — one of the last Lancer Evolution’s signature features — expressed confidence in its potential revival.

All it really needs is a the corporate green light. Which means, Japan’s rally-bred sports car rivalry could be making a grand comeback.

One of the greatest sports car duels of all time

Silver Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution sedan driving on a road with motion blur and a cloudy sky background. — The Lancer Evolution X from 2007 to 2016 was the last of the breed.

It’s been almost a decade since Mitsubishi gave us a Lancer Evolution, with the last model being the Evolution X in 2016. Since then, much like its direct rival, the Subaru WRX STI, fans have been itching for a new model.

The rivalry between the Lancer Evolution and the WRX STI dates back to the 1990s. It all started when both automakers went head-to-head in the FIA World Rally Championship, all to qualify for the Group A homologation requirements at the time.

Red rally car with number 1 racing on a snowy mountain road with pine trees and spectators on a hill. — Mitsubishi is a staple in the world of rally motorsports.

That rivalry would eventually evolve into one of the greatest sports car duels of all time. But more so, the road-going productions would also generate one of the biggest automotive cult followings since the American pony car wars.

Especially after becoming hugely popular in the Japanese tuner, underground racing and even racing videogame scenes.

But while Subaru grew into a tour de force and began dominating WRC in the 1990s, Mitsubishi’s history in the sport actually goes back further. More specifically, to 1974.

The Lancer in general is also one of Mitsubishi’s longest-running nameplates. Its prominence exists not just on a global scale as a mainstream automobile, but also as a performance icon.

Yellow Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution sedan driving on a paved road with dry hills in the background. — The eighth-generation Lancer Evolution was the second model ever sold in the US and one of Mitsubishi’s most successful in the States.

Before Subaru, Mitsubishi was an absolute standard in the world of rally motorsports. So much, that its in-house performance division, Ralliart, roots its origins from Mitsubishi’s victories in the league.

Once both companies introduced their WRC Group A competitors in 1992 and their qualifying road-going production models, however, as they say, the rest is history.

It just needs a green light

Black Mitsubishi Lancer sedan driving on a snowy, icy road with snowbanks and trees in the background. — The Evolution X utilized Mitsubishi’s now iconic and state-of-the-art Super-All-Wheel-Control all-wheel-drive system.

According to Sawase-san, pretty much everyone at Mitsubishi Motors has been dreaming of a new Lancer Evolution. But more so, he knows it can happen as he claims Mitsubishi has all the resources and the tools to make it a reality.

It just needs a green light from upper management.

Red sports sedan with a rear spoiler parked on a flat, light-colored surface under a clear dark blue sky. — The Lancer Evolution X was one of the first cars to popularize electronic torque vectoring.

“We have a dream, of course, for Lancer Evolution,” Sawase-san told Drive during their exclusive interview at the Tokyo Motor Show a few weeks ago. “It’s my personal dream.”

The last model, the “Evolution X,” was discontinued from tightening fuel emissions and economy regulations, on top of reaching the end of its production cycle.

Silver Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR sedan parked on wet pavement under a "Welcome to Firebird International Raceway" sign. — The Lancer Evolution X remains as one of Mitsubishi’s most collectible models.

Mitsubishi then shifted its focus to innovating with electric vehicles to align with market demands at the time. Its focus on electrification and greener technologies essentially prevented any potential possibility of a Lancer Evo revival.

But since times have changed and the market remains lukewarm about electrification, Mitsubishi is apparently looking to revitalize its image and hark back to its true motorsports heritage.

A new Evo could go hybrid or all-electric

Red Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with white alloy wheels and rear spoiler on a flat desert surface under a clear blue sky. — The Lancer Evolution is one of history’s greatest automotive performance icons.

Sawase-san further elaborated, saying that Mitsubishi investments into electrification and hybridization over the past decade opened potentially new opportunities for an Evo revival.

That said, should it happen, the new model would likely try to reap the benefits of either electric or hybrid technology.

Blue Subaru WRX STI hatchback with black hood scoop, black roof, large rear spoiler, and black alloy wheels in a studio. — Subaru reviving its STI nameplate could help influence Mitsubishi to revive its Lancer Evolution.

“We have a variety, a range of technologies on-hand,” Sawase-san said via his translator. “Naturally, considering the global [environment], the times, that will be the direction that we will be going.”

Although nothing’s been officially confirmed, with Sawase-san also keeping his cards close, Mitsubishi’s arch rival recently teased its own WRC-inspired revivals at Tokyo.

Blue Subaru STI concept car with gold and black wheels and a large rear spoiler in a studio. — With Subaru expressing interest in both gas- and electric-powered STI models, Mitsubishi could be inclined to follow a similar path to match its rival.

With both automakers teasing the world with these potential rebirths, it could all be like the 1990s and 2000s once again.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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