Scoop: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution to return in 2021 as an electric crossover?

Think of Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) and you’re most likely thinking about its past when it conquered rallies and the silver screen with cars like the legendary Lancer Evolution and Eclipse. Now though, Mitsubishi Motors is on another trajectory, and in doing so, it wants you to forget those glory days.

Yes, fellow petrolheads, if you’ve managed to read past the headline and actually read the article, MMC has plans in reviving the Evolution name but as an electric crossover.

This is according to a scoop obtained by Japanese media and based on what’s been speculated, the revived Evolution nameplate would be based on the e-Evolution concept that was unveiled at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.

Okay, so maybe some Mitsubishi fans have already awaited the impending controversy when Mitsubishi displayed the name on its concept 4 years ago. Based on the scoop, the overall looks of the Evolution EV would be almost the same as the concept with its coupe-like styling.

Sadly, the suicide doors on the e-Evolution concept won’t be carried over onto the production version of the revived Evolution.

As the concept previewed an electric-powered Evolution, don't expect the legendary 4G63T to be powering it. Instead, three electric motors will power the crossover. Insiders have told the Japanese source that the layout could see two electric motors placed at the front and one at the rear.

The scoop also speculated that Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) will be available on the Evolution as featured on some of Mitsubishi’s models including the Eclipse Cross.

Admittedly, it is disheartening to see Mitsubishi moving forward in its electrification future but at the cost of putting some legendary names onto unrelated models. On the other hand, general buyers don’t really see that as a deal-breaker.

Despite criticisms from fans, MMC saw 80,000 units of the Eclipse Cross sold during its first year of introduction. What will the future hold for the Mitsubishi Evolution? Will buyers embrace Mitsubishi’s new evolution or will it falter through?