11:28 pm, November 30, 2011
THE next Mitsubishi Evo is likely to be powered by a hybrid power train and not the famous 2.0-litre turbocharged unit.
Talking exclusively to Car Dealer at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Japanese firm’s UK managing director, Lance Bradley, said a hybrid version of the Evo was almost certain.
‘When you look at the performance benefits of electric cars and the fact you get instant torque from those drive-trains, then it certainly makes sense to introduce on an Evo,’ he explained.
‘An electric only set up wouldn’t work, I don’t think, but I can definitely see a hybrid power-train being utilised. Mitsubishi has already developed an Evo with electric motors in its wheels which was entered into a electric vehicle rally here in Japan, so the technology is there.’
PX-MiEV II concept
‘When I joined Mitsubishi 12 years ago I wasn’t interested in the salary or the job role – only whether I could have an Evo as a company car,’ he said.
‘They changed the scheme to allow it and I’ve been driving one every year ever since. I love them – they’re hugely important to Mitsubishi.
‘It’s true we haven’t had it easy with the X, but I’d still like to see more in the future and I think we will. The market has got difficult for these performance cars. They are higher emitting emissions wise and that makes it difficult for us – but it’s a cult car, so there will always be demand.’
Fellow Japanese marque Infiniti has proven this year that performance hybrids can, and do, work with its M35h model, so there’s no reason Mitsubishi couldn’t make a success of similar technology.
Mitsubishi Mirage
Not that Bradley seems to be too phased by it: ‘Car sales are down, but when you factor in our pick-up truck sales – and we’re the leader in that LCV segment – our overall sales are the same as last year.
‘We and our dealers are happy with that as we make more money out of the pick-up trucks than we do with our cars. But everyone likes new cars and we’ve got those coming – as you’ve seen on our stand today.’
Mitsubishi unveiled the PX-MiEV II concept – essentially (in terms of looks) the replacement for the Outlander alongside the Mirage, which will be the Colt replacement. Neither really set the show alight, but with a year’s wait for them both, there’s time to make them a little more exciting yet…
