New Mitsubishi CEO Sparks Hope for Lancer Evo Revival

Kisuke Kishiura's comments rekindle Lancer Evo dreams

Mitsubishi's newly appointed CEO and COO, Kisuke Kishiura, has fired the opening shot in a conversation many performance-car fans hoped would return: could the Lancer Evolution make a comeback? In interviews about the brand's future, Kishiura expressed a clear affection for Mitsubishi's iconic rally-bred models and described them as "treasures" for the company — sparking renewed optimism among enthusiasts.

If you grew up arguing about the merits of the Lancer Evo versus the Subaru Impreza WRX STI in the 2000s, these remarks will feel like déjà vu. Neither model is currently available from dealerships, but Kishiura hinted that Mitsubishi wants to be a manufacturer capable of building such performance cars again — even if no firm plan exists today.

From rally heritage to strategic reality

Kishiura, who calls himself a driving enthusiast, recalled his first experience behind the wheel of an old turbo Lancer with a manual gearbox, using it even on snowy slopes near his ski trips. He emphasized the emotional and cultural value of classic Mitsubishis, saying these cars are company treasures. But he was candid about constraints: Mitsubishi no longer has the same scale and resources it once did, so any return to its rally-era glory will be gradual.

Concrete steps are already underway that could lay the groundwork for a halo-car revival. Mitsubishi recently launched the next-generation Pajero and has plans to double its product portfolio in the U.S. market. If these SUV and pickup projects achieve profitability, the company could allocate margin and risk budget to high-profile, low-volume performance projects that boost prestige rather than immediate sales.

Electric future, torque vectoring and the legacy 4G63T

Last year Kaoru Sawase, Mitsubishi’s chief engineer and architect of the famed S-AWC system, said the dream of a new Lancer Evo remains alive. Given modern emissions and safety standards, electrification emerged as the most viable route to revive the Evo's performance envelope. Examples like the Rimac Nevera demonstrate how electric torque distribution and advanced torque vectoring can deliver breathtaking dynamics — an electric Lancer with similar technology could restore Mitsubishi’s off-road and rallying credibility in a modern package.

That said, die-hard fans still crave a high-revving, tuneable gasoline engine reminiscent of the legendary 4G63T. Kishiura acknowledged that offering an internal-combustion halo model alongside EV variants is expensive and complex, but he didn’t rule out creative approaches down the line.

What a realistic revival might look like

Possible pathways to a Lancer Evo rebirth include:

• An EV or hybrid platform with advanced torque vectoring inspired by S-AWC principles.
• Low-volume, high-cost flagship models built to lift brand prestige rather than maximize margins.
• Localized manufacturing (even U.S. production) to reduce costs and support niche models.

Quote: "We have no concrete plan to reintroduce these cars right now, but our goal is to make Mitsubishi a company that can build them again in the future," Kishiura said.

Market positioning and timeline

Realistically, Mitsubishi’s path back to performance halo cars depends on first stabilizing its core business in SUVs and pickups. Success in those segments — and in the U.S. market expansion — could take several years but would create the financial runway for riskier, brand-enhancing projects. Until then, fans should temper expectations yet remain hopeful: the intent and technical conversation are back on the table.

For enthusiasts and industry watchers, the most exciting takeaway is that Mitsubishi’s leadership openly values its rally heritage and sees electrification and modern torque-vectoring systems as the logical technical tools for a future Lancer Evolution. Whether that future arrives as an EV, a hybrid, or a limited-run petrol icon remains to be seen, but the conversation has restarted — and that alone is newsworthy.