Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X India launch soon

Sounds like very exciting times ahead for sportscar lovers in India – you will soon get a chance to own a value for money sportscar – the iconic Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution which is also colloquially known as the Evo X.

According to our sources from Mitsubishi India, the Evo X should launched in India as early as May 2010. Off late, quiet a few exotics have made their way to India but if there is a car that excites the petrolheads, then the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X tops that list. This high performance sedan has seen 10 generations of the Evo series, and the Evo X – as in 10 – is the latest generation that’s selling worldwide.

Introduced in 1992, the 1st generation Lancer Evo was just meant to be sold in the local Japanese market but then greymarket imports began to occur owing to the high demand for the car in US and Europe. Mitsubishi finally began exporting the Evos officially.

The Lancer Evolution X is not exactly a very dramatic looker from the sides as you can see from the photos here – but take a look at that huge maw in front, and it makes its intentions pretty clear. That is as aggressive as it gets!

Engine and specifications

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is powered by a newly designed 4B11T 2.0 liter (1997cc) turbocharged, all-aluminum inline-4 cylinder engine pumping out 280 PS (205.9 kW; 276.2 hp) on the JDM version, while the American market version has slightly more power. The UK models of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X churn out a monsterous 300 hp (220 kW) and 360 hp (270 kW). We would have to wait and see as to which version of the Evo X does Mitsubishi bring to India. We expect the pricing of the EVO X to be in the 30-35 lakhs price range. That really is not affordable to most of us for sure – but if you can, you will be getting performance that can shame an occasional Porsche or Audi!

Mitsubishi India enjoyed a good sales figure with the original Lancer which it sold a few years back in Petrol and the Diesel versions. The Lancer found a loyal audience in South India. Initially sold as a rock-solid street car, the car was comprehensively beaten when the first-generation Honda City came to India. A few years back, the company then introduced the Mitsubishi Cedia – a good car, but did not set the sales chart afire due to its indifferent styling and pricing problems.

The company also recently introduced a facelifted Mitsubishi Outlander SUV in India recently which has helped increase its sales figures.

As of now there would be no competition for the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X when it comes to India. This highly acclaimed car has been known for its unmatched handling and very responsive engine hence has been in the limelight in many rallies for a long time.

Mitsubishi India is a joint venture with the Hindustan Motors group which manufactures the Mitsubishi Lancer, Outlander , Pajero and the Montero in India