Are Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution fans ready for a PHEV Evolution?

Mitsubishi is up to something, and we would like to know what it is. The 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is the last generation of the gas-powered performance car, and Mitsubishi is being extremely tight-lipped about the next-generation performance car. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has developed the Concept XR-PHEV Evolution which is a race car that has its roots in Rally racing just like the Lancer Evolution. Could this be the next-generation Lancer EVO?

What’s Mitsubishi up to?

We know that the production models never look like the concept cars, but we can still learn a lot from this concept race car from Mitsubishi. MMC says that this car depicts their history of achievements in races like the Dakar Rally and World Rally Championships(WRC). Does Mitsubishi put all this effort into developing a car for Vision Gran Turismo with no other agenda? Our guess is that MMC is up to more than playing games.

"Vision Gran Turismo" is a project in which the world's leading brands design an original sportscar in commemoration for the 15th anniversary of Gran Turismo, as present to players of "Gran Turismo 6." But Mitsubishi designed this car with all their latest PHEV technology and it includes their new-generation Super-All-Wheel-Control (S-AWC) system for maximum traction to all four wheels. Sounds like the perfect car to take rally racing.

Deep racing roots can’t be pulled up easily

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has been involved in motorsports for 50 years. With racing roots that deep, they aren’t likely to abandon their Rally race program and go away quietly. MMC created a race car model based on a concept car called the XR. The car is powered by a plug-in-hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain with power to all four wheels. It uses an active yaw control system that divides the left and right side torque electronically for better control on the track and dirt. This would ideal for the next-generation Lancer Evolution.

XR developed for the track and dirt

The Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV Evolution is very aerodynamic and Mitsubishi engineers were focused on gaining downforce without increasing wind resistance when they developed this car. MMC says the XR -PHEV Evolution is based on “an athlete form.” Engineers developed the race car to have power that would “come from a crouching start position.” The engineers said, “everything is designed to drive faster, making fine adjustments to angles and heights.” This sounds like it would be a great Global Rallycross race car.

The 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is the last of its generation and is going away. Mitsubishi is up to something but is being extremely secretive about their future Lancer Evolution plans. Mitsubishi just won an impressive victory at Pikes Peak with this new technology. Could the Concept XR-PHEV Evolution be the forerunner of the next-generation Lancer Evolution? Are Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution fans ready for a PHEV Evolution?

Watch this unveil video as the XR-PHEV Evolution attacks the race course.