Australia’s could’ve-been ASX gets a hybrid system

The 2025 Mitsubishi Xforce compact SUV, long-thought to become Australia’s next-generation ASX, has debuted with hybrid power in Thailand ahead of its commercial release later in the year.

But despite its Thai production plans, don’t go expecting to see the angry looking runabout in local showrooms – Australia’s new ASX is being sourced from Europe and will take the form of a rebadged Renault Captur.

Still, the Xforce HEV features a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid system good for 85kW and will return a combined fuel consumption of claimed 4.1L/100km (NEDC), with drive sent to the front wheels by a two-speed transaxle.

Its cabin design predictably matches the internal combustion versions’ which in turn follows Mitsubishi’s current interior design ethos.

But while the Xforce isn’t immediately on the Australian radar, it does at least give some hints as to what’s potentially in the pipeline: hybrids.

Speaking at the Xforce HEV’s debut, Mitsubishi Motors president and CEO Takao Kato said “HEVs are increasingly in demand” globally “as a key electrified option that does not require charging infrastructure”, hence the Xforce HEV’s introduction into Thailand – one of the brand’s “most crucial markets”.

Mitsubishi Australia teased a raft of upcoming electrified models in July last year, at least some of which were confirmed as hybrids.

The brand also recently filed a trademark application to secure the ‘ASX GT-e’ nameplate, suggesting a heavily electrified expansion of the inbound ASX family could be on the cards, even though two of the three core powertrains (in Europe) feature some sort of hybridisation: a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol mild hybrid (103kW, 5.7L/100km) and a 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid (105kW, 4.7L/100km).

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au