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Mitsubishi Lancer Evo axed

The iconic Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.

Mitsubishi has confirmed it will not develop an Evolution XI to follow the current model, with a spokesperson saying there were no plans for another generation of the iconic rally legend. However while they are farewelling the Evo, there is hope for development of another performance model utilising the Japanese brand's focus on electric vehicles.

“Mitsubishi Motors does not have any plans to design a successor with the current concept, as a high-performance four-wheel drive gasoline-powered sedan,” spokesperson Namie Koketsu told Automotive News. “Mitsubishi Motors will explore the possibilities of high-performance models that incorporate electric vehicle technology.”

Koketsu stopped short of saying when production of the current generation of the four-wheel drive sedan would halt, but the signals from Mitsubishi for some time have pointed to its demise. The brand has unveiled plans to source its sedan product lines from its alliance with Renault-Nissan, leaving the in-house effort to concentrate on its core strengths of utes and SUVs, and its focus on expanding the electric vehicle line-up.

Just a few years ago, the notion of electric motors powering a high-performance car would have seemed unlikely, but with the likes of the BMW i8, Porsche 918 Spyder, McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari -- and news that Audi has put the e-tron R8 back on the table -- it's become a reality.

This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott