Dire wrote:That new porsche that set a new nurburging record has better fuel economy than a prius with a petrol hybrid engine, so Mitsu is just making excuses. I think they've forgotten how make exciting cars.
That vehicle costs the better half of a million dollars, and is manufactured by a company that only produces performance-oriented cars.
What I understand from the decision:
Apart from the Evo X/Ralliart, Mitsubishi doesn't produce sports cars, and it hasn't competed in WRC for years, indicating they've changed their focus.
Mercedes-Benz in comparison has a whole division (AMG) set up to take care of their performance goals, and hundreds of millions to spend making their cars simultaneously faster and more fuel efficient to meet with stringent environmental regulations, as well as active racing interests (e.g. their new involvement in V8 Supercars). As a result they have cars like the A45 AMG which consumes less than 7L/100km - approximately half of what the Evolution X drinks, and that too at a similar price to the X and a 'premium' badge.
Mitsubishi Motors is just a subset of the Mitsubishi Group, and they probably don't see a strong enough business case to invest in research and development for a product that no doubt produces a miniscule amount of revenue in proportion to the Group's other endeavours. Even if they did, the money would have to come from somewhere, and that 'where' would be our wallets. How many people are willing to pay six figures for the next iteration of the Evo? The decision process for new consumers nowadays also encompasses much more than the good ol' WRX v Evo debate.
If they didn't spend all that money or end the Evolution moniker now, the next version might end up disappointing fans. I like to think that Mitsubishi are Breaking Bad the Evolution; and I'm fine with that.
Hopefully their final, special edition 'goodbye' Evolution will leave us all with a warm tingling sensation; and their developments in electric vehicles coincide with a future revival.
