---
title: "Mitsubishi Could Bring Back Iconic Lancer Evolution With 336-HP Renault Engine: Report"
description: "A Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution XI could rock the same engine as the upcoming Mégane R.S. super hatch."
date: "2019-07-04"
modified: "2019-07-04"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/28723/mitsubishi-could-bring-back-iconic-lancer-evolution-with-336-hp-renault-engine-report"
categories:
  - "Mitsubishi News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Mitsubishi"
---

# Mitsubishi Could Bring Back Iconic Lancer Evolution With 336-HP Renault Engine: Report

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/06/2015_Final_Evo__11-e1561644884503.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

The Subaru WRX STI might wanna watch its back because its former archrival might be preparing to make a return. According to a report by [*Autocar*](<https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mitsubishi-could-return-performance-cars-reborn-lancer-evolution>) citing "Japanese-based sources," Mitsubishi may be planning to revive the [Lancer Evolution.](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/5311/the-2015-mitsubishi-lancer-evolution-final-edition-is-the-end-of-an-era>)

A future Evo XI would apparently take advantage of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance and borrow an engine from Renault Sport's next-generation Mégane R.S. hot hatch. Specifically, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo producing around 336 horsepower mated to a dual-clutch automatic transmission and Mitsubishi's own S-AWC all-wheel drive. The report also says the next [Evolution](<https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/14892/how-mitsubishi-carved-out-a-spot-for-the-lancer-evolution>) would sit on a version of the alliance's CMF-C/D platform, which is related to the architecture found underneath—among other vehicles—Nissan's Rogue and Rogue Sport as well as the Infiniti QX50.

![message-editor%2F1561656363123-21214154\_2018\_-\_new\_renault\_m\_gane\_r\_s\_trophy.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1561656363123-21214154_2018_-_new_renault_m_gane_r_s_trophy.jpg>)
*2019 Renault Mégane R.S., *Renault**

Back in the '90s spanning to the mid-2000s, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was largely known as the Coca-Cola to the Subaru Impreza WRX STI's Pepsi with its rally-derived all-wheel drive, high-horsepower turbo 2.0 liters—and of course—massive rear wings. It was even a hero car for not one, but two *Fast & Furious* movies.

The Evolution X debuted in 2007 and never received a significant update after that, ultimately going out of production in 2016.

Since the Evo's departure, the sport compact landscape has changed. If Mitsu's iconic rally-car-for-the-street ever does come back, it must contend with stuff like the Ford Focus RS, VW's Golf R, and the Honda Civic Type R as well as the obvious Subaru.

This remains a rumor for now and until the company is spotted running around in some suspiciously big-winged test mules, we're gonna go ahead and file this under ["we'll believe it when we see it."](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/15450/mitsubishis-e-evolution-concept-crossover-isnt-the-evo-youre-looking-for>)

When asked whether the rumor held any merit, a Mitsubishi spokesperson told *The Drive* in an email: "We do not comment on speculation."

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)