Mitsubishi's next Evo goes diesel hybrid

Interesting article, but why a diesel hybrid? I know it says for low down grunt and performance, but surely they could get similar performance with a petrol hybrid?

Also interesting that they are doing this due to tightening emission and economy regs. How tight are these new regs going to get?

 

I'm happy to see them try this combination -- someone has to give it a real try and see how far it can go. Petrol hybrids were initially said to have little long-term return on investment, but they've evolved into some great cars with high gas milage.

Someone had to take the chance and develop gas hybrids, and they're now a major factor because they've prompted mfgrs to tool up for hybrid versions of others of their vehicles. The price of gas has changed the equation in their favor despite the (I believe) temporary fall-back of gas prices.

Just give it a little more time for China's and India's emerging middle classes to get cars, and demand for gas will skyrocket. While it's not all for roads etc., China is the largest user of concrete and steel. And, even the concrete and steel used for projects other than roads will generate income for the evolving middle class in China.

Per one source using 2008 data, PR China used 426Mt of steel ... and the US was second in using 98Mt. On concrete, another source says "Cement consumed in China will amount to 44% of global demand, and China will remain the world's largest national consumer of cement by a large margin."

This diesel version will help find out how it works in the real world. The package could be attractive for those who drive interstates a lot, as they all have diesel fuel for the the big rigs. And, at least here in S.E. Michigan, a lot of stations "in-town" have diesel pumps. I wish them luck, and figure that Toyota and Honda will get into that segment if it works out and has sufficient demand.

 

nice!

Any chance we could get a plug-in ?

 

Back around when the 2nd gen Prius and Escape hybrid were getting into the market, Ford/Mercury had a couple diesel hybrid concept vehicles. The Reflex and Meta-one, a small SUV. At least one, if not both, would have met AT-PZEV qualification. The drive train hasn't gone into a production vehicle do to cost. A diesel engine always costs more than a petrol one, and the extra emission components are now being added in. Then hybrid components also add to the price tag.

A diesel hybrid fuel miser would put up some great numbers, but I doubt it will sell well. Most potential customers for such a car are simply looking to reduce their car costs and will balk at paying extra to do so. It will have to have really great fuel economy or some other hook to pull people away a petrol hybrid or diesel competitor. Mitsubishi is going for a performance hook, like the Tesla Roadster. It is also like the Honda Accord hybrid.

 

I agree with Shelley. The problem is once you get over mid 40mpg or 50mpg, the fuel savings diminish quickly. For instance, if you get 50mpg in a Prius/Insight and drive 20,000 miles a year @ $3/ga you will spend $1,200/yr on fuel. If you drive a diesel hybrid for the same number of miles at 60mpg and $3/ga you spend $1,000/yr on fuel. This is assuming diesel is the same price as gasoline which in my area is almost never the case. Diesel generally costs more.

A diesel engine is a premium cost on most American vehicles and can add thousands to the base package price. How long would it take to make up the price difference in fuel savings?

If they can create and package the car to be in the same price range of the current gas/hybrid options then I could see it as a viable option.

 

But factor in paying $6 to $9 a US gallon like many parts of Europe and it does start to make a little more sense.

 

I agree but here in the U.S. people believe it is their god-given right as an American and a good christian to be allowed access to cheap fuel and if the prices ever stayed at $6-$9/ga then it would be the fault of terrorists and gays both of which hate our country and want to take away our freedom! lol

 

More diesels could be seen as a bigger market for 100% biodiesel.

 

Nobody who buys an Evolution really cares all that much about gas milage. It's a performance car, like real race-car performance and not "my Honda accord is fast!" performance. Say what you will, but all the talk of being economical is just useless chatter in this case. Nobody cares about "making up the price difference" as long as they can reliably make 550awhp on a Mustang dyno running 35+psi of boost pressure (note to the Asperger's-prone: this is meant to be exemplary statement and not to be taken literally).

It is useful to note that other vehicles in similar segments, such as the Nissan GT-R (aka Godzilla) are also going the hybrid route.

EDIT: Yes F8L, I know you used to be in the performance scene. This isn't directed at you.

 

but is biodiesel actually a good thing if sourced from Indonesia or similar?

I guess it's ok if using locally produced oils but would there ever be enough for 100% biodiesel other than a small percentage of drivers?

It is quite popular here for some to use recycled cooking fats/oils (once cleaned and processed) as a legal alternative to 'normal' diesel. I believe even commerical companies such as McDonalds and some supermarkets run their fleet on oil they have previously used to cook some of their products in. Good that this is, it is never going to provide fuel for even a third of diesel powered vehicles.

I suppose every little helps.

 

If not clear, my point was that a diesel hybrid won't exceed in the fuel economy market. Which is why it's going into a performance car. Maybe doing so will lead to improvements in the tech, cost, and/or perception to allow it to move into a mainstream vehicle. Along the lines of Tesla's plan with the Roadster.
Then again, Honda's hybrid Accord was their fully loaded, high perform trim the years it was available. IMA is still around, but not the hybrid Accord.

I hope it is successful. Right now, biodiesel seems to be the best bet of the bio-fuels. It doesn't have the required engine modification of ethanol, and there is potential to producing the feed oil from more productive, non-damaging crops.