Recently, Mitsubishi revealed its storied sport compact Lancer Evolution will drive off into the sunset with a limited run of “Final Edition” cars. In April, the announcement stated that the Final Edition car would only be sold in Japan. Now Mitsubishi seems to have changed its tune, because Left Lane News reports that the Final Edition Lancer Evo will now be sold in the US.
In stock form, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution outputs 291 horsepower from its 2.0-liter turbo four and 6-speed twin-clutch transmission to all four wheels utilizing Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. Expect a “slight bump” in power for the Final Edition, mostly helped in part by sodium-filled exhaust valves. In the handling department, the Final Edition Lancer Evolutions will be fitted with Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs, Brembo two-piece front disc brakes, and 18-inch BBS wheels wrapped in high performance Yokohama Advan tires.
Visually the Final Edition cars will be available in five colors (red, white, gray, black, and blue), with a contrasting roof panel painted in either black or white. Further distinguishing the Final Edition cars will be a dark chrome grille with a gloss black bumper and black hood vent surrounds, color coordinated with BBS wheels. The Interior won’t receive excessive changes. The pre-production prototype on display shows red stitching on black leather for the Recaro bucket seats, steering wheel, shift knob, and center console.
In April, Mitsubishi announce that 1,000 Final Edition Evos will be produced for Japan and Japanese customers could begin ordering their Final Edition cars. Now North American will get 1,600 of these Final Edition Lancer Evos later this year. In Japan it costs 4,298,400 yen or $34,845 at current exchange rates.
Once the Evo disappears for good, its replacement could be a plug-in hybrid crossover that pales in comparison to the original rally monster.
