Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, or Evo 10, that may be priced between Rs 21.70 - Rs 23.5 lakh, will be launched in India in early 2009.

2 April, 2008

Mitsubishi Motors is set to launch its luxury sedan, the Lancer Evolution X in India, in early 2009.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X will be completely imported, because as of now Mitsubishi does not want to manufacture the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X locally. This would mean that the price of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X will be very high. Globally the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is priced close to Rs 13 lakh. However with the imposed duties on import, the cost may soar up to Rs 21.70 - Rs 23.5 lakh, it is expected.

Reports say that based on the sales response, Mitsubishi will decide whether the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X can be manufactured locally or not.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, also known as Evo 10, will take on Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Skoda Superb, Volkswagen Passat, Nissan Teana and Audi A4 in the Indian market. Lancer Evolution X is the Evo 10 edition of Lancer sedan.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, which would be a five-seater, is expected to be built on a completely new platform. Further, the aluminum engine block under the hood would make sure that the car is light weight. To be powered by a 2-litre engine that gives out 295 bhp power, the Evo 10
also would come with a four-wheel drive option.

It is believed that the demand for luxury cars in India has been on the rise mainly due to the surge in the economy. Better pay packets among the country's upper-middle-class has helped a lot and it is felt that the demand would further grow to 15,000 units a year by 2011-12.

Mitsubishi also plans to launch the Outlander sports utility vehicle in the later part of 2008. The Mitsubishi Outlander SUV will be manufactured at the Mitsubishi plant in Chennai.