Mitsubishi's latest Outlander has yet to hit showrooms in the US, but already the American Research and Design team (MRDA) has managed to cobble together an 'Evo' version.
The cleverly named 'Evolander' headlined Mitsubishi's presence at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show last week in Las Vegas. Powered by a boosted version of the Outlander's 3-litre V6, the Evolander develops 300bhp and drives all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission equipped with magnesium-alloy paddle-shifters.
The big SUV should be unusually agile, too, thanks to lightweight 20-inch OZ wheels, a Roadrace Engineering/Muellerized coilover suspension system and massive Brembo 6-pot brakes.
Styling is said to follow an "urban performance" theme, whatever that means, and the front follows the lines of recent Lancer Evolution models with its vented bonnet and huge brake cooling ducts.
The Evolander is, at present, purely a concept; however, Mitsubishi has hinted that a Ralliart production version could go on sale in the future. Hopefully we'll see it in Europe too.
The Evolander wasn't the only Mitsubishi on show at SEMA; other cars included the Baja Raider, LOUD-lander and FEAST "i". The Baja Raider is a modified competition version of the Raider truck campaigned by DXR (Desert Xtreme Racing) whereas the LOUD-lander speaks for itself as the world's loudest Outlander with 18 Rockford Fosgate speakers developing an incredible 2700 watts. Weird name aside, the "i" is a turbocharged 660cc mini-car which has already received several awards in Japan including the prestigious "Good Design Grand Prize 2006". The FEAST version is styled to be, erm, 'individual'. It's what SEMA is all about.
Will Nightingale - 12 Nov 2006