At Carscoops, our passion for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution knows no bounds, making its discontinuation in 2016 a devastating blow.
Despite the setback, enthusiasts continue to hold out hope for a revival, and recently, a set of tantalizing spy shots surfaced, purporting to show an Evo XI prototype. Alas, our excitement was short-lived, as the images proved to be expertly crafted fakes.
The fake spy shots were incredibly convincing, depicting a camouflaged sports sedan with a low-slung stance, upright grille, and sharp taillights. The attention to detail was impressive, with features like circular LED daytime running lights and a Subaru WRX STI-inspired hood scoop.
The creator even went so far as to add sporty black wheels, large brakes, and silver brake calipers. However, upon closer inspection, we noticed telltale signs of AI-generated imagery, such as the tires.
The mockup was based on 2019 spy shots of the Mitsubishi Outlander, with the SUV expertly replaced by a sleek sports sedan. While the creation was impressive, it only served to dash our hopes of a real Evo XI.
Earlier this year, designer Hycade created stunning renderings of his own Evo XI concept, but unfortunately, Mitsubishi has shown no interest in reviving the iconic model, instead focusing on electrifying their crossover and SUV lineup.
As the dream of a new Evo XI fades, we’re left to appreciate the ingenuity of the fake spy shots, a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.