This Is The Next Generation Lancer Mitsubishi Won’t Build

The Mitsubishi Lancer was dropped following the 2017 model year and the Japanese automaker has no intention of reviving the compact sedan, though the subcompact Mirage is still around. Its main focus now is on crossovers, such as the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander, set to be unveiled this week, and the just-revealed 2022 Eclipse Cross. But there was a time when Mitsubishi excelled at sedans like the Lancer along with the Diamante and Galant.

That’s all in the past but it never hurts to imagine what could have been. Rendering artist Enoch Gabriel Gonzales has created his vision of what the Lancer could have been today if it remained in production.

In fact, Gonzales originally created this design a few years ago as a direct successor to the deceased eighth-generation and has now updated everything to better showcase the Japanese automaker’s latest styling language. We very much like what we’re seeing.

The front and rear ends have a concave element while Mitsubishi’s new dynamic shield chrome grille has been added. Additional updates include an industrial shredder-inspired grille pattern and even more aggressive sculpted body lines. Overall, it’s a very attractive design update and we’d really love to see it applied to a hypothetical ninth-generation Lancer-based Evo. Hey, we can hope, right?

Gonzales did not mention what type of powertrain could be resting under the hood but we would’ve like to see a turbocharged four-cylinder and plug-in hybrid tech setup. Like its alliance partner Nissan, Mitsubishi has fallen under hard times lately though the pandemic is only partially responsible. Prior to the outbreak, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance had been undergoing major reorganization as Nissan aims to scale back operations in less profitable markets, such as Europe.

Mitsubishi is following a similar path and, like Nissan, has no plans to leave North America. Still, a reborn Lancer would definitely be welcomed by those not taken with crossovers. Too bad they’re currently in the minority.