An Ethical End Of An Evolution: Mitsubishi's Final North American Performance Icon Being Auctioned For Charity

Photo Credit: Mitsubishi Motors North America

Mitsubishi had warned us years ago about an unsettling change. In 2011, Mitsubishi Motors confirmed the tenth iteration of the Lancer Evolution was to be the final version of the high-performance compact sedan built by the Japanese automaker as the company devotes future development to general small cars and electric vehicles. Still, when 2015 approached, the Final Edition run of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was a sad monument to a generation.

Offered in Japanese since late 1992, North American audiences were dealt a shorter time with the Evolution existing on the continent since the 2004 model year. For the time Canadian and American drivers have been able to put three Evolution models through its paces, the immense power of a turbocharged/intercooled engine married to Super All-Wheel Control produced a velocities few could have expected from a vehicle of its stature.

The last run of 1,600 North American-issued 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution models are defined under the Final Edition package. A 303-horsepower standout, the Lancer Evolution Final Edition is distinguished by a number of special features such as a black-painted roof, Enkel alloy wheels and grille surround finished in dark chrome along with an interior accented by red stitching. Each Final Edition version of this famous high-performance Mitsubishi is marked by a center console-mounted numbered plaque citing the specific production order for each of the 1,600 vehicles. The final of the final edition, the #1600 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution to be sold for the North American market will find an owner while also raising a potentially hefty sum to the cause of fighting hunger.

Taking place in the form of an eBay charity auction benefiting Feeding America Riverside & San Bernardino Counties and Second Harvest Food Back of Orange Country, bidding for the last 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution on a continent opened on September 8th as part of Hunger Action Month. Wearing the number plaque US1600, the 2015 Lancer Evolution Final Edition features a New Diamond White Pearl exterior paint color. Auto on/off bi-xenon HID headlights, front two-piece Brembo brake rotors and a five-speed transmission is included on the 1,600th Final Edition sport compact sedan.

Currently underway on eBay, the charity auction for last Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Final Edition in North America started at $46,200 US (roughly $59,796 Canadian) and has attracted four bids as of early morning on September 9th. At the time this article has been posted with six days and eight hours remaining in the auction, the price stands at $46.900 in US currency. Conclusion of the eBay charity auction is set for September 15th at 12 PM eastern time (9 AM Pacific Time).

As the #1600 Lancer Evolution Final Edition feeds the desire of an owner craving for the last of an important bred of vehicle, the money raised from the vehicle will provide much-needed resources to briefly overcome an even more important hunger to combat. Proceeds from the sale of the car will be split equally between the two California-based charities.