Good news and bad news time, folks. First, the good: the Mitsubishi Evo will not be killed off at the end of the current model cycle, as many of us feared. The bad news: you might have trouble recognizing it as an Evo.

How come? The next Evo (Evo XI, we suppose) will be powered not by a turbocharged gasoline-powered four cylinder, but instead by a fossil fuel-electric hybrid arrangement. Note the phrase “fossil fuel” in lieu of “gasoline” in that sentence. That’s because the fossilized plant-combusting section of the powertrain is expected to be a diesel engine.

“We will start work on the project next year, and it will be ready within three,” Mitsubushi president Osamu Masuko told Autocar. Reportedly, the diesel-electric duo will still give the Evo a sub-five second 0-60 time while drastically reducing fuel use and emissions. Looks like we’re going to have to spend the next three years drastically recalibrating our idea of what an Evo is. [via Autocar]

Pictured: Mitsubishi Evo X