Evo name to return with new Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi is secretly developing a high-performance successor to the Pajero Evolution that will be based on its new-generation 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid.

According to Best Car Japan, a concept for the new Mitsubishi Outlander Evolution was set to be launched at the Tokyo motor show in October, but the show's cancellation has seen the unveiling pushed back to June 2022.

Coinciding with the relaunch of Mitsubishi's Ralliart motorsport and performance division, it's thought the Outlander Evo will be the first model to be launched under the reborn sub-brand.

With details yet to be released for the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ahead of its debut in Australia early next year, it's perhaps no surprise there's absolutely no intel on how Ralliart plans to extract more power from the new plug-in hybrid model.

The safe money is on Ralliart adding either more powerful electric motors or bolting a third motor onto the rear axle.

With bigger and more powerful motors, engineers might be forced to add a bigger battery and will almost certainly boost the all-new 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine's output.

Ensuring the Mitsubishi Outlander Evolution will be capable of taking on other established performance SUVs like the BMW X3 M and Audi RS Q3, the Japanese model will be fitted with the car-maker's latest electronically controlled S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) system with Brake AYC (Active Yaw Control) that's designed to maximise traction, improve turn-in and cornering.

Externally, expect plenty of Dakar-rally-raid-racer-for-the-road design cues and even some playful throwbacks to the awesome Pajero Evolution that was made for just two years between 1997 and 1999.

A jacked-up ride height, extra underbody armour, a pair of bonnet vents and wider squared-off front and rear fenders, plus the obligatory rear wing and snorkel, will all be on the menu.

Following the Outlander Evo's debut, Ralliart will roll out a concept for a high-performance version of the Mitsubishi Triton to take on the Dakar rally. Despite being a full-blown racer, thinking behind the fast pick-up has been linked with a road-going version being readied to challenge the likes of the Ford Ranger Raptor and the incoming Toyota GR HiLux.