Exelent Cars 13

You may have heard rumors the next generation Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution will be an electric car. Well, they're true. But before you start writing angry rants in the comments box, read on. According to one source inside Mitsubishi, the Evolution XI, due in 2013, will be the best Evo yet.



To be built off the same platform as the chunky PX-MiEV plug-in hybrid off-roader concept Mitsubishi revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show last October, the Evolution XI will benefit from the company's latest electric/hybrid technology. The new Evo's 2.0 litre MIVEC petrol engine, borrowed from the current Japan-spec Galant, will be mated to a new plug-in hybrid system with lithium-ion batteries. But here's the twist: the Evo's main power source will not be the gas engine, but an electric motor that will drive the front wheels. The 2.0 litre engine, when needed, will drive the rear wheels.



The Evo XI will give drivers the option of driving in EV mode, though only for short distances, improving fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. But it won't be a namby-pamby eco-warrior. According to our source, the electric motor will be an upgraded version of the 63 hp permanent magnet synchronous motor used in the i-MiEV, and the 2.0 litre MIVEC gas engine is expected to generate around 320 hp. Depending on how Mitsubishi manages the power flow between the two, the Evo XI could effectively have up to 350 hp on tap. The current Evo makes do with a mere 291 hp.



Our insider suggests Mitsubishi engineers are working toward a target 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. "The new electric motor will effectively work like a turbo, only smoother," he says, "so there's no need to worry about power delivery."



What hardcore drivers will be more concerned about are the handling upgrades, which include a couple of hi-tech handling gizmos that were not finished in time for the Evo X, launched two-and-a-half years ago -- Active Steering and Roll Control Suspension. The Evo XI will also feature a new electronically-controlled active yaw control system (E-AYC) that regulates torque distribution between the rear wheels.



We tested an Evo prototype fitted with Active Steering and Roll Control Suspension way back in February 2006 and were impressed. But Mitsubishi Motor's recall problems, restructuring, and a decision to focus development resources on fuel efficient engines and cleaner CO2 emissions, led to these key pieces of Evo techno-wizardry being put on the backburner. We can still recall an engineer sighing at the Evo X's reveal in 2007 as he whispered: "This is not the finished product, you know."



Our sketches give one artist's impression of how the new Evo XI might look. Whatever the final design, this much is clear: Mitsubishi is determined to totally re-invent one of the world's great performance cars.

Upcoming Cars in 2011 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE With Previews and pictures2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a front-drive have coupes hailing from Japan. The 2011 example sports car gets a new soul whitewashed roof, new figure elements, and enlarged equipment. Customers gift someone to take from ternary adornment levels: GS, GT, and GS Feature.The new imitate acquire primarily stood out because of their

Upcoming Cars in 2011 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE With Previews and pictures2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a front-drive have coupes hailing from Japan. The 2011 example sports car gets a new soul whitewashed roof, new figure elements, and enlarged equipment. Customers gift someone to take from ternary adornment levels: GS, GT, and GS Feature.The new imitate acquire primarily stood out because of their

Upcoming Cars in 2011 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE With Previews and pictures2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a front-drive have coupes hailing from Japan. The 2011 example sports car gets a new soul whitewashed roof, new figure elements, and enlarged equipment. Customers gift someone to take from ternary adornment levels: GS, GT, and GS Feature.The new imitate acquire primarily stood out because of their

Upcoming Cars in 2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE With Prices, Specification And Reviews and PicturesThe 2011 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a coupe that is available in GS, GT and SE and SE-V6models. While the GS and SE models are powered by a 2.4 Liter engine that is rated at 162 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque and is equipped with a five speed manual transmission. The GT and SE-V6 models are

Upcoming Cars in 2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE With Prices, Specification And Reviews and PicturesThe 2011 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a coupe that is available in GS, GT and SE and SE-V6models. While the GS and SE models are powered by a 2.4 Liter engine that is rated at 162 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque and is equipped with a five speed manual transmission. The GT and SE-V6 models are

Upcoming Cars in 2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE With Prices, Specification And Reviews and PicturesThe 2011 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a coupe that is available in GS, GT and SE and SE-V6models. While the GS and SE models are powered by a 2.4 Liter engine that is rated at 162 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque and is equipped with a five speed manual transmission. The GT and SE-V6 models are