What Happened to Mitsubishi? 

Heck, even Toyota's CEO Akio Toyoda said that he wish to see Mitsubishi and Subaru back in WRC in one of the interviews with Toyota's WRC team.

Im about 85% positive that major fans of the Evo would not want it to be an EV considering the fact that the STI still has an engine.... tbh

I love how he ends every video with that stare of his.

I'm gonna go ahead and remind everyone that sports cars comprise a very, very small percentage of the total automobile buyers. Just because a company stopped serving a certain demographic that's in the minority doesn't mean it fell. Mitsubishi is still selling very well, and they clearly aren't suddenly gonna fall just because they've stopped making sports cars.

As much as I miss the sports cars that they used to make, it made sense to discontinue them. The company had financial difficulties and the sales of the sports cars nosedived. I mean let’s face it, do you really think that they will sell lots of sports cars nowadays in a market that has a huge preference towards SUVs? Only the people in the comments want them back and when they do bring them back guess what, they don’t buy them. In fact, Mitsubishi is selling in much higher numbers then they were 10+ years ago. Still, it is not enough for them to make sports cars again, and the cost of developing new models would be expensive, especially if they’re not going to sell in huge numbers. I guess having the EVO in their lineup would’ve been nice to give the WRX some competition, since it seems to do well in terms of sales. But unfortunately, the sales numbers probably weren’t enough for Mitsubishi to continue the EVO. That being said, they could possibly introduce sports cars again into their lineup since they have an alliance with Nissan. Perhaps they could use the Nissan Z platform to make a modern day 3000GT for example. But at the end, it’s up to them and how much the market demands for sports cars.

Im a evo X owner and it was my first love , I had to wait 5 years to get enough money to afford it and Ive owned it for 5 years now. I always thought the previous generations were really cool too, but I think the 10 is the one who looks the most aggresive of them all, I love the aggressive and boxy lines on it, makes it look like a tank.

My first EVO experience was a white Evo 5 I believe from a Jackie Chan movie that was involved in a car chase. I just remember how cool looking it was. It's sad to see Mitsubishi like this, in an eerily similar position like Nissan as of recent. I sure hope they can turn things around. But I definitely like the idea of an all-electric rally car.

That first gen Eclipse Cross is straight Aztek.

This was great video and really gave me an insight into why Mitsubishi fans love the brand so much. It's unfortunate that Mitsubishi ended up like this and I hope that they make a comeback with electric rally cars. With that being said, maybe the crossover phase is a way for the brand to pocket some cash and use that money to develop some fun electric vehicles. I hope that brands going forward realize that no everyone wants to be driven by autonomous technology and still develop cars that are purpose built to be driven.

Just found out the "normal" Lancer Evo cost over 60k in my country, and that was over 10 years ago!

Used to own a 98’ Evo V 5 years ago, my one and only regret in life was not keeping it 😔

I used to own a 2006 Mitsi Evo 9 GSR, the 6-speed version totally stock, and it was fun to drive ‘coz it made you look like a hero as it corrected any understeer or oversteer at the limit. I regret trading it in ‘coz it doubled in value of what I traded it in for over a period of 3 to 4 years and now well out of reach, apart from the fact that you cannot find an unmodified Evo anymore.

I actually really like the Dynamic Shield design on newer Mitsubishi's but what they lack is a high performance car.

god i felt like I was the only one who was crazy in love with the design of the evo 5 and 6

Mitsubishi used to be an engineering lead company. If you actually look into how many firsts they had you'd be really surprised. My personal opinion is Mitsubishi just had some bloody awful bad luck. Everytime they were bought by another company that company was on the slide, Daimler Chrysler provided some much needed new up to date platforms but they really overstayed their welcome. The GS platform was the basis of the ASX/Outlander Sport, Lancer & Outlander. The Mirage was really designed to be a car for the Indian car market at first, it was then redesigned for the rest of the world, cheaply. Their current owners have no clue what to do with Mitsubishi, look at the L200 pickup, it outsells the Nissan Navara in the markets where their both sold together, so who's taking the lead with the next generation, that's right, Nissan.

i actually really like the 2009 eclipse. it gets a lot of hate but i really like it

Not “vicious”. “Viscous” meaning the AWD system used a viscous fluid in the differentials that when cool, nothing really happened. But when the fluid was heated through slipping components inside the differentials, the fluid became thicker, locking the differentials and sending power to the rear wheels where the Limited Slip Differential was also viscous. Evos had plate LSDs in the rear. The same part number through pretty much all incarnations of the Evo. Lets not forget the DSMs. While not completely a global market car, still a great performer from Mitsubishi. A real shame what happened to to the performance arm of Mitsubishi. Coming from a Mitsubishi fan.

Actually as an American we would better recognize the 3000 GT. Barely any dodge stealth or sold here

Everyone is buying crossovers because they're the only thing available. They appeared and took off and every manufacturer decided they wanted a slice of that pie. Now every manufacturer feels the need to make multiple models. Give me a nice wagon, or a two door hatchback. In the US almost no one sells those.

My best quote from an early 90's tuner guy: " Everyone is about the EVO, and im like, why would i want a 4 door gsx Eclipse?" :D

Others with Time Machine: "I'm your grandson/grandaughter." "Oh my goodness." Me with Time Machine: *goes to Mitsubishi Headquarters in 2015* "WE WANT AN ECLIPSE 2 DOOR SPORTS CAR NOT AN SUV!!!" "MAKE AN EVO XI!!" "BRING BACK THE 3000GT!!!" "BRING BACK THE GTO AND GALANT VR4!!!"

Mitsubishi is not new to the SUV world, think about the Shogun/Pajero, although, at least they were cool! They have been making pickups and SUVs for years!

I happen to have a 2014 Ralliart and I quite like the front grill shape of the Evo 10. The trapezoidal shape of the center with the headlight give the front end an angry design

All times favorite Lancer Evolution, to me, definitely is the TME. However, among modern designs, I am heavily split between 8 and 10. Even today I find the Evo 10 to be the most beautiful sport sedan in the world, with the modern WRX being the most beautiful hatch (more so than even Golf GTI and Focus RS).

I really enjoyed watching this video about you explaining each car of Mitsubishi. The OutLander doesn't bother me but what MOSTLY bothered me was when they brought the Eclipse but says Eclipse Cross that made my heart sad.

Mitsubishi has no self respect. Even Pajero Full/Montero/Shogun it's out of production now. Such a brilliant utility overland vehicle was put behind the scene to crossovers. The only car that I like it is Pajero Sport.

kinda sad how since subaru has a monopoly on the "homologation rally car" category now, they don't really have to innovate too much as if someone wants a WRX or Evo they have to take the WRX now as their only option and its quickly becoming lackluster

If they want to continue in the SUV /Crossover trend they should bring the Montero/Pajero/Shogun names and build rugged off-road versions.

the evo 4 is peak evo design in my opinion, it just looks so mean

My introduction to the Lancer Evo was Midnight Club 3, in which the Evolution VIII was featured as a car. One of the opponent racers named Cheng drove a red one, and I always thought his car looked pretty cool. It kind of sucks that Mitsubishi's only car these days is the Mirage, from the brand that gave us cars like the Eclipse, 3000GT, Lancer Evolution.

For me, 8th gen Mitsubishi Galant reminds Dieter Rams' designs, which does look good in any timeframe. I still see them on streets sometimes, and they still look even better than the most modern cars. I know it's subjective, but that car design looks neither pretentious or boring, it's just nothing but good design.

Jackie Chan is the ambassador for Mitsubishi, his movies always use Mitsubishi's cars. The greatest one is "Thunderbolt" if you haven't seen it go check it out. I fell in love with Mitsubishi because of that movie.

I think in order to bring back the Evo they would have to partner with another brand especially one that has some rally pedigree behind it like Toyota or Hyundai

Apologies in advance because I know this isn’t a popular opinion, but the fourth generation Eclipse is one of my favorite car designs ever. There’s something about its particular bubbliness that has just really captivated me over the years. My dad had one in that gorgeous sunburnt orange color that Mitsubishi made, and one day I might have to hunt one down to own for myself.

I was one of the first Evo 8 owners when the Evolution name finally arrived in the US in 2003. I paid a $5k markup just to own this fine rally bred machine and park it in my garage. I didn’t have any regrets paying that markup. I would gladly pay another markup if Mitsubishi ever brings back a beautiful sculpted Evo 11.

5:34 You got the badge of respect bro totally nailed it.

3:40 here in Indonesia the last generation Galant were always called the Shark Gallant for obv reasons

The first three generations of the Evo’s make me 🎉 Those generations of the evo are my 3 of my favorite cars ever and the 2nd gen got me into rally and is also in my town. The 2nd Gen eclipse GSX was my childhood car, the Galant VR4 is underrated and the GTO was ahead of it’s time and a fat but hot monster

I had a 1990 Eclipse GSX, a 1995 Eclipse GSX, a 2000 Eclipse GT, and a 2005 Evo IX, which is my daily driver. Had the engine and suspension rebuilt last year. I LOVE it. Especially with the WORKS tune

The answer is very simple and understandable. Today everybody buys SUV, so make an SUV and name it by putting the most famous company’s car name and you will sell it like water in desert. In Asia and Australia Mitsubishi is doing pretty well actually… Toyota is doing the same these days with Corola Cross. Unfortunately nobody is buying sporty cars these days.

My first experience with an evo was on my 18th birthday at a rally event I drove an evo 4 and 05 wrx sti and immediately fell in love with the evo and after 10 years I finally got to own my own Evo 6 which I absolutely love although I wanted a tommi mak but in Australia they have shot up in value.

The 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse always remind me of a Cat or Cougar. The Lancer Evolution 9 and 7 were always my favorite. Something about the shark design makes it look like the ultimate performance racing sedan. It’s not the luxury “Ultimate Driving Machine” like the BMW 3 series; just a Japanese racing weapon that can be used as a family sedan.

One lesser known car with great proportions is the mitsubishi FTO, the little brother to 3000gt/gto. Especially the facelift model

I feel like the Eclipse-cross name is as good of an idea as putting mustang in the Mach-E

I absolutely love the evo 4 - 6 generations although I would likely buy an evo X because the issue of reliability and parts pricing/availability. Currently I have a 2009 4G V6 eclipse but in comparison to my friends Evo 4 I would prefer his driving experience over mine.

I love the Evo X specifically, very functional and it is the best Evo made. Stiffest chassis, best aerodynamics, best wheel base/track for rally use, and best transmission and engine. I like the styling but the Evo 3 and Evo 6 arguably have the Evo X beat there, due to nostalgia partially? Evo X is my favorite. Mitsubishi sucks since 2015.

Some weird times we're living when SUVs lose their offroad capability and are turning into crossovers, and performance cars losing their performance also getting turned into crossovers.

All-time best looking evolutions has to be the Evo 3,Evo 6 & Evo 9 , they made the brand look strong , no Matter what Mitsubishi we see , the Evo will always be the image of MMC

I had some time with the new Eclipse. As a car, it's a good car. There is no problem with the car, except for the name. They should have called it an outlander cross or pajero cross.

I like 5-6 the most, and I do own and compete with an Evo 6 rally car. Reason is the engineering and technology they try to stuff into the car to beat S2000 prototypes with a Group A car. Style wise, I like the double decker spoiler the most, and the aggressive front bumper and bonnet. As you said, they kept it simple and with only rallying in mind.

The 5 series was great. Had to settle with a CK2 carburetor model because of the cost. but for a old model it performed great to the point where many people couldn't believe its engine was a carburetor

Mitsubishi could come up with cheesy EV sports car names too, star-E-on, E-vo, E-clipse

I love the styling of the earlier evos, but I think Mitsubishi did a great job on the evo 10. It doesn’t carry the same sporty rally vibe. But I love it ❤️

Car industry is changing alot in the last decade. Unfortunately for us all Petrol heads it is the end of an era.

I have the Evo 4 but I love the overfenders and straight flat wing on the 5. It was still too young for me to take from japan but I loveeee my car.

The same thing that has happened to all the big manufacturers nowaday. Most of them had cool cars in the past but the marketbase for those cars is probably like 1% of the consumer who buys a car and at the end of the day their goal is to make money.

For me my favourite Evo is the one I own, The Viii MR. I just think it's the best mix of race car and road car. The TME however is the pinnacle of rally car for the road.

The eclipse cross is just a modern pontiac aztec

Bring back the Eclipse! The GSX, not the crossover thingy

During 90s Mitsubishi Evo was dominating world rally championship and same time Pajero and Pajero Evo was dominating Paris to Dakar Rally. What a great time it was. Still Mitsubishi Pajero has the record for most Dakar Rally Victories with a seven victories in a row from 2001 to 2007. No other manufacturer even closer to them.

the evo III is by far my favorite. the big bumper intakes, the size, the wing, theyre ll perfect.

I actually love the front end on the first eclipse-cross. The dynamic shield design is a very attractive design

I have a Mitsubishi Mirage 2000 DE Coupe and I was so excited to hear him talk about it 😢 I know it's not the best car they made, but I love it

I also want to bring up the 1997-1999 Pajero Evolution, amazing design!

I'll tell you ... When that girl started "popping and locking" for the 2000 Eclipse, it was all downhill from there. RIP Paul Walker.

The Evo 3 is my favourite, it just looks mean yet subtle at the same time especially in black, and yes, part of my liking reason comes from initial d too.

"Mitsubishi doesn't care what you think." - Donut Media

You have no idea HOW BAD I want the EVO to come back, THANK YOU for making this video I hope it gets traction

Evo 8 and 9 just loved the front the shapes went well together it was still box like but smooth. Cat steals the show at 10:18 lol

7:55 probably have to say that the evo 3 is my favourite just because its a car i grew up with, my father used to own one when i was very little and i remember it as being the coolest thing ever, not only that but it appeared in racing games i played, along with the anime initial D, where it was portrayed as this beast of a car, so its probably my favorite just because of nostalgia, oh yeah there was also jackie chans thunderbolt evo 3 which is also pretty cool

DUDE! Nice t-shirt!!! Love the 595 Abarth 😍😍😍

Let’s not forget to mention that Mitsubishi nowadays is basically stealing design language of Lada developed by Steve Mattin. (they both are part of Renault-Nissan group)

i’ve had a 2002 eclipse for about three years now, and while i admit the car looks a little goofy some of the design has a purpose. the lines on the door actually add quite a bit of structural integrity. if someone were to hit my door at a low speed, it probably wouldn’t dent at all. and if i got T boned i’d most likely be totally fine. i’ve had a couple people hit my back bumper pretty good; their whole front end was fucked, my bumper barely had a scratch. It’s a quick car, especially in manual but it definitely looks faster than it is

You forgot to mention the 1st gen Eclipse that also offered the GSX with an interior that was driver oriented. And had a beautiful exterior.

Great analysis

Thanks for talking about the 3000gt and gallant!!

Hey man, just got an evo 6 2 months ago! Insane car 400awkw feels crazy

8:49 Look at that car man... Omfg that was my dream when I was a child Supra, Eclipse, Skyline... Legends of tunning

if you look at the generations of the eclipse and galant. they really do go back and forth with design. the 1g eclipse was sharp, the 2g was completely rounded off, the 3g brought back a lot of sharp edges, the 4g brought back that rounded off body. the same goes for the galant. the 6th and 8th generations were the most agressive. while the 7th and 9th were a lot more subtle. there's very little information on it at this point. but Mitsubishi has announced a new "ralliart concept" no word yet on whether its a truck, crossover, sedan, coupe.. im being extremely optimistic and hoping it shares the new nissan z platform. but probably not.

that was an excellent suggestion at the end there about the electric rally evo.

Can you do a video just on the 4th gen eclipse or just all of the eclipses in general (except the crossover Bec that doesn't count) and just talk about them or just go Into depth about them. As for myself I drive a 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT with the V6 engine and that car doesn't get enough love that it should've, it's such an underrated sports car and no one sees it for it's full potential. In my opinion that car is great and should be looked at more.

The Gallant just looks so manly with that frontend design, even the EVO couldn't match it at all.

Evo III and IV was the best for me with the iconic white rally livery. The Evo IV started the run of 4 consecutive titles for Tommi.

Totally agree. It’s like Mitsubishi is 3 years behind the times with their designs. In Australia, in 2005 they mis-read the market and launched the 380, it’s epic failure is largely blamed for being the last nail in coffin for manufacturing Mitsubishi cars in Australia.

12:59 they still have the mirage. If they want 2 bring back the ralliness of the Mitsubishi brand, they can create an Evo variant of that. I’m pretty sure a mirage actually raced in Rally at a time

That segment is such a limited market and I think Mitsu just priced themselves out of it while Subaru did a better job of providing the "cheap speed" option. I loved watching Tommi Makinen in his Evo.

I remember wanting either an Eclipse, Celica, or S2000 as a 17 YO(1999) but ending up with a Corolla. I had almost $5,000 saved up (yikes that's huge now that I think about it) and asked my father for the rest(~$7,000) to buy a car second hand but his condition was that I couldn't buy a sports model and I had to drive my sister to school and she wanted rear seats. We lived in upstate NY where there was a lot of snow (and salt) so the Corolla was the better practical choice but man I was mad/sad for months.

I'm surprised you never mentioned any of the Mitsubishi scandals and lawsuits bc those are very large reasons they aren't the same company today

In Australia at least, Mitsubishi Motors are doing well. They have a formula that works. They bring out a new model car and start selling it and then keep selling it for as long as possible. They will keep a model in production for 15 years or more updating it here & there. As a result they can sell cars made in Japan at a price cheaper than their Korean rivals. It’s not exciting but it works. Mitsubishi also sells a lot of utes here.

What would be the representation of the Mitsubishi eclipse suv according to your vision I would like to see it

I like the Gen 4 eclipses. The 6g75 engine in that car is probably the best V6 ever built. And the Gen 4 eclipse is also the quickest eclipse

I agree with the EVO6 was the definitive design of EVO. The TME is the first one that always comes to mind when I think EVO.

I legit don't know what what happened to Mitsubishi. They were going in the right direction but for some reason decided to go in the opposite direction. A shame, i stopped following them when they stopped producing the A6M Zero

I'd love to see Mitsubishi turn the Colt/Mirage into a hot hatch to compete with the GR Yaris/Corolla. Very very unlikely to happen, but a guy can dream, right?

I love the evo 4 and evo 5 equally evo 5 just because of the giant fog lights and the wide look from the rear evo 4 because it feels like a more sleek evo 5 and the front bumper which I like as well

The Evo V is my favorite. I like it so much, I bought one. Probably paid more than it's worth, but it was a hero car from my childhood. How can I say no to that?

After the " Plaza Agreement", Yen got a sharp rise and Japanese domestic bubble got massively expansion and cause long stagnancy of the economy. So as a result most of Japanese can't afford high performance car any more and the exchange rate of Yen went too crazy so JDM cars lose their competitiveness in both domestic and overseas markets. If you have to blame who killed JDM cars, blame American Hegemonism.

Let's not forget that the 3g Eclipse was produced around the turn of the century. From what I recon they were going for some kind of mash up of the beloved 3000GT. However they couldn't TT it; as the emissions regulations also tightened with the new century... So it was stuck in n/a form... But than they kinda listened to the customer and went back to revisit some of the 2g style and brought forward a bigger n/a 6g75 engine to satisfy there bad mashup of the 3g

I love your shirt. The car on your shirt looks similar to my Fiat 500. Great work. Evo 7, 8, 9, 10

Great points. Especially the ev part.