The 2013 Mitsubishi Evolution, affectionately known as the Mitsubishi Evo, might be the last chance for the automaker. After the company has passed through the hands of Subaru, Mazda, and Hyundai, the Evo MR offers great power in a well-engineered all-wheel-drive system. With a starting price near $35,000, though, the interior and styling of the car leaves much to be desired.
The Mitsubishi Evolution MR is likely the only model that would be missed if the automaker were to go under.
Mitsubishi Motors is Japan's sixth largest car maker, an unenviable
place to be, both in the home market, and for maintaining a sales and
service network in America. Mitsubishi's prospects in the States were
once far brighter. They were allied with Chrysler, and marketed a fairly
full line up of economy cars, SUVs, light pickups, and dedicated sports
cars.
The global financial crisis closed out that chapter of the company's history, though truth be told, the financial contagion hit an already weakened Mitsubishi. The company and Chrysler parted ways, necessitating a buyout of half of their joint assembly plant in Illinois. There was a terrible scandal regarding the non-reporting of defects in Japan. Finally, there was a dumb promotional campaign where "buyers" were able to put nothing down and defer payments for a year. Mitsubishi's financial arm wound up with thousands of repossessed vehicles.
Over time, the company was passed in sales by Subaru, Mazda, and the worst blow, former "apprentice" Hyundai. This state of affairs is reflected in the scarcity of Mitsubishi dealerships nationwide for warranty support. Though the company's executives have vowed to maintain their presence here, the question becomes, "Would you buy a car from these folks?" That question is one that haunts a boardroom because if it can't be answered in the affirmative, it doesn't matter what the suits declare in press releases.
If there is just one car in Mitsubishi's line up that underscores the company's current dilemma, it's their most expensive car available, the Lancer based Evolution MR. For those not familiar with the "Evo," as it is called by its fans, it is the company's street legal version of its old turbocharged, all wheel drive, World Rallycross racing competitor. As such, it is very much like Subaru's Impreza based WRX/STI cars that carry the same heritage. The two cars were race rivals then and sales rivals since, as Mitsubishi has ceased its rally participation in 2005 and Subaru just won the 2012 Global Rally Championship.
The Evo MR features a turbocharged 2.0L inline 4 cylinder engine putting out 291 BHP and 300 ft.lbs of torque. It features a dual clutch, paddle shifted, automatic transmission, putting the power to all of the wheels through one of the best engineered AWD systems ever dreamt up.
It also features an undeniable lack of sophistication, as it cannot escape its economy car roots. The interior does not do justice to the nearly $35,000 demanded for the car. Based upon its hard edged performance mission, the ride is stiff, the seats are too hard, and the engine drones exactly like an econobox's motor does, but with the turbo spooling in the background.
If Mitsubishi can't hang on here, it is really the Evo which will be missed. That's the problem. The only enthusiastic brand loyalists left for the "Three Diamonds" is a very narrow slice of a very small pie.
The global financial crisis closed out that chapter of the company's history, though truth be told, the financial contagion hit an already weakened Mitsubishi. The company and Chrysler parted ways, necessitating a buyout of half of their joint assembly plant in Illinois. There was a terrible scandal regarding the non-reporting of defects in Japan. Finally, there was a dumb promotional campaign where "buyers" were able to put nothing down and defer payments for a year. Mitsubishi's financial arm wound up with thousands of repossessed vehicles.
Over time, the company was passed in sales by Subaru, Mazda, and the worst blow, former "apprentice" Hyundai. This state of affairs is reflected in the scarcity of Mitsubishi dealerships nationwide for warranty support. Though the company's executives have vowed to maintain their presence here, the question becomes, "Would you buy a car from these folks?" That question is one that haunts a boardroom because if it can't be answered in the affirmative, it doesn't matter what the suits declare in press releases.
If there is just one car in Mitsubishi's line up that underscores the company's current dilemma, it's their most expensive car available, the Lancer based Evolution MR. For those not familiar with the "Evo," as it is called by its fans, it is the company's street legal version of its old turbocharged, all wheel drive, World Rallycross racing competitor. As such, it is very much like Subaru's Impreza based WRX/STI cars that carry the same heritage. The two cars were race rivals then and sales rivals since, as Mitsubishi has ceased its rally participation in 2005 and Subaru just won the 2012 Global Rally Championship.
The Evo MR features a turbocharged 2.0L inline 4 cylinder engine putting out 291 BHP and 300 ft.lbs of torque. It features a dual clutch, paddle shifted, automatic transmission, putting the power to all of the wheels through one of the best engineered AWD systems ever dreamt up.
It also features an undeniable lack of sophistication, as it cannot escape its economy car roots. The interior does not do justice to the nearly $35,000 demanded for the car. Based upon its hard edged performance mission, the ride is stiff, the seats are too hard, and the engine drones exactly like an econobox's motor does, but with the turbo spooling in the background.
The Evolution costs about $39,000, however its interior reveals its economy car beginnings.
And so what? Subaru's most hooligan WRX variant, the STI, shares all of these same charms and sins. The Impreza just arguably does things even better for a variety of reasons: The Subaru can be had as a more versatile hatchback, it makes 305 BHP, it can be serviced somewhere in every state in the country, and its bound to hold better resale even if flogged hard.If Mitsubishi can't hang on here, it is really the Evo which will be missed. That's the problem. The only enthusiastic brand loyalists left for the "Three Diamonds" is a very narrow slice of a very small pie.
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