Earlier this year, everyone thought the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo would be the end of the high-performance halo car. Lovering Mitsubishi is excited to be the first to tell you that this is no longer true. In fact, Mitsubishi President Osamu Masuko has confirmed that an eleventh-generation Lancer Evo will come in the form a hybrid-diesel vehicle.

Strange as a diesel-powered hybrid system may sound, the new Evo drivetrain will be integral in helping Mitsubishi significantly lower its carbon dioxide emissions while retaining sub-five seconds 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration. In designing this new hybrid vehicle, Mistubishi has cracked down on productivity rules. The automaker has come up with specific targets and determined that the project needs to be done efficiently with development following a strict timeline.

"I have set the goal of developing a sporting car featuring electric power. We will start work on the project next year, and it will be ready within three," Masuko recently told Autocar.

For those worried about the Mitsubishi Evo XI losing its thrilling edge, keep in mind that the automaker is considering all angles of the situation. According to CarScoop, the new hybrid-diesel will still spread torque to all four wheels through a killer tarmac-hugging S-AWC four-wheel drive system. The Evo XI will also retain integrated braking as well as steering and traction control.

Interested in learning more about the upcoming Mitsubishi Lancer Evo? Then be sure to keep checking back, Lovering Mitsubishi promises to share updates as soon as we receive them. In the meantime, feel free to check out any of the new Mitsubishi models we have available at 95 Manchester Street Concord, NH 03301.

Source: ¹http://gas2.org/2011/10/23/next-mitsubishi-evo-will-be-diesel-hybrid-fast/