Next gen Mitsubishi Lancer to have diesel-hybrid powertrain

11/06/2010 - 12:32 | ,  ,   | Shrawan Raja

mitsubishi lancer evolution

Mitsubishi is planning to bring about some radical change in the Evo 11, which will hit markets in the few years. The switch comes in the form a diesel-electric powertrain to keep it in the race as the diesel electric combo will help fight emission standards and economy impacts.

Autocar UK claims in a meeting held in Japan last month, Mitsubishi talked itself out of the petrol-hybrid option along with it went the concept of basing it on the PX-MiEV SUV concept’s platform.

The diesel engine brings along with it a whole lot of hope - The combined torque of the electric motor and the diesel engine could catapult the Evo 11 to 60mph from standstill in well under 5 seconds, yet maintain the co2 emissions in the sub 200gm/km, well within the asking rate.

The revised version of the Evo’s four-wheel drive system, S-AWC, which integrates steering, braking and traction control should make the car even better to drive.

The diesel-hybrid is an expensive option, but what the pundits say is diesel is yet to catch up in some important markets where the Evo has a huge presence, and this gamble to avoid being impacted by emission standards, could end Mitsubishi up in a fatal head-on collision with something even more catastrophic.

Source - Autocar UK

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