Wait. WHAT? No! Yes, all or some of those things could be happening and according to Mitsubishi COO Trevor Mann, the new Lancer could be a different kind of hatchback altogether. And by different kind of hatchback we suspect they really mean crossover. Think Nissan Juke or Toyota C-HR and before you cry out in dispute (or weep in dismay) there are several clues.
At the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show we were showed this; the e-Evolution concept which is set to inspire the design of the next Lancer, if Mitsubishi Chief Designer Tsunehiro Kunimoto is to be believed. Here’s the rub, Mitsubishi was recently folded into the Renault-Nissan Alliance, and Nissan have long been teasing us with the likelihood of the next Silvia being a compact SUV, alluded to perhaps in the Gripz Concept car unveiled in 2015.
Ultimately a raised C-Segment hatch with sporty pretensions, but if we’re honest we’re still trying to wrap our heads around it. Turbocharging seems obvious but forget the inline 2.0 litre 4-cyls of old and manage your perceptions along a 1.6 litre trajectory, powering the front wheels exclusively in all, save for top models which might receive the hybridised AWD drive-train treatment.
This decision of course makes a lot more sense for Mitsubishi than Nissan. The latter firm already has two mighty sports cars in its ranks and an army of offroaders, but for Mitsubishi – a firm somewhat on the brink, high-riding vehicles with off-roading aspirations or pretences certainly are more compelling. Why else would performance and luxury brands such as Lamborghini and Porsche be taking to the rarefied air? Then again, Lambo didn’t call the Urus a new Countach did they?
At this point platform-sharing doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll both be lofty riders. We’re still holding thumbs for a Toyota 86 rival in the next Silvia. Otherwise, if our fears are to be confirm and this is indeed where we’re headed, you can expect Fast and Furious 10 to be an incredibly boring affair.
