Mitsubishi confirms a hybrid EVO with a surprise

Something very strange must be going through the minds of the leaders of certain brands these days, since the launch of those Audi TT diesel models and the recent arrival of the Mercedes SLK CDI will be joined by a vehicle like the EVO, something that until just a few days ago we would surely never have imagined.

Following the latest rumours, today we have to talk not only about a new Lancer Evolution generation, totally different from the current version, which could incorporate some kind of hybrid solution to offer much more “legal” consumption and emissions, but from there to it using a diesel engine…

Specifically, this whole plot has erupted due to the statements made by Osamu Masuko, current head executive of Mitsubishi, in remarks to Autocar, a specialist magazine to which he wanted to make very clear that the next generation of the Lancer EVO will only be sold with a hybrid powertrain, a version that should reach the market in 3 or 4 years.

Even so, it should be noted that the rumours generally speak of a vehicle equipped with a 4×4 system consisting of an electric unit intended to drive the front axle, while a high-performance 2.0-litre petrol engine would be used to do the same on the rear axle.

So far so good, but along this line Autocar has just distanced itself by claiming that the new generation, instead of a petrol engine, will fit a certain hybrid diesel powertrain that would deliver jaw-dropping performance, for example a 0 to 100 km/h in under five seconds with CO2 emissions below 200 g/km.

Now, what can happen with all this? Honestly, we may be looking at a mere attempt to attract attention, although, where there’s smoke there’s fire… On the other hand, we have to bear in mind that one of the most powerful markets for Mitsubishi is precisely the United States, and a diesel version of this vehicle there…

Via | autoblog