Fear not rally-special fans: Mitsubishi has apparently gone back on its vow to cut off the Lancer Evolution series of AWD performance machines. Mitusu’s CEO gives Autocar the definitive word:

Production of the current Lancer Evolution X continues as planned. As for its successor, regulations and market feedback will dictate its engineering package and architecture. MMC [Mitsubishi Motor Company] has kept the Lancer Evolution sedan evolving as the brand’s highest performing model in the global market. However, as the markets need’s and demands change, MMC is considering not advancing the Lancer Evolution concept in the same way as before, but to find a different direction for the Lancer Evolution model to evolve.

The new direction, the technologies involved, and corresponding products will be disclosed in due course.

Rumors have the EVO XI boasting a diesel-electric hybrid system, combining a sub-five-second 0-60 time with 200 grams of C02 emissions per km (low-30 MPGs). But this drama has taken on plenty of twists and turns already, and since diesel-electric technology is so expensive, the EVO XI could even have a less-radically-revised drivetrain in keeping with the models budget-hero image. And no matter what happens, Mitsubishi’s “will-we-won’t-we” approach to the EVO’s future has certainly helped raise the profile of its halo car. But even if the EVO lives, our romance with the too-good-to-live recent version will be changed. Some things weren’t meant to last forever…