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Mitsubishi PHEV will replace Evo as sport star

The new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

The Lancer Evo will not survive an upcoming liaison between the three companies that will produce an all-new Lancer for Mitsubishi and an unnamed small car to be shared by Nissan and Renault.

The turbocharged and all-wheel drive package that makes the Evo so successful, with Australian sales of the Evo X continuing from $56,990, cannot be switched to the new-age compact that should be on the road by 2017.

“The volume of the sales is not as high as the love and passion towards that car,” the president of Mitsubishi Motors, Osamu Masuko, reveals to Carsguide during a visit from Japan. “In Europe, actually, the Lancer Evolution in certain countries stopped this year. Other countries that don’t have that (emissions) issue will continue.”

Masuko admits the Evo has done a good job of brand building for Mitsubishi, but says the company is working on a new hero as the PHEV hybrid becomes a motorsport star. “I think with the new PHEV SUV we might consider to challenge in motorsport. Last year in August we have participated in an Asian rally from Thailand to Laos.”

So, what about the Dakar Rally where Mitsubishi scored many wins with its Pajero? “It’s not going to be that race, but a lot of other tough races we will consider.” Masuko is not ready to reveal details of the model sharing program with the Nissan-Renault Alliance, but says the companies are close to a sign-off.

“It’s just the platform we are considering. We are studying in various scenarios,” he says. “It hasn’t been completed as a deal, but we are progressive well. It can be a different engine or body for each brand.”

This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover