Mitsubishi releases new-look ASX

Mitsubishi has ushered in an expanded, new-look ASX range for the 2013 model year, featuring an improved automatic transmission that is also cheaper, updated interior, extra standard equipment, new paint colour options, a more affordable new premium version and the same keen $25,990 starting price.

The smoother looking MY13 city-crossover was revealed in the US earlier this month and will be officially released in Australia on September 1.

It comes with smoother new front and rear styling courtesy of a reshaped grille and bumpers, and an upgraded continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that now costs $250 less than before at $2250.

New for MY13 is a top-shelf front-wheel drive model, the 2WD Aspire, which costs $28,990 plus on-road costs in manual form and $31,240 plus ORCs with a CVT auto.

Unchanged at $34,990 plus ORCs is the Aspire 4WD flagship, which continues to be available in both petrol/CVT and diesel/manual guises, but a diesel/CVT version of the ASX remains 12 months away.

Two new colours join the ASX line-up – Starlight and Ironbark – while White, Cool Silver, Black, Red and Titanium remain available.

Mitsubishi says the ASX’s upgraded CVT auto provides a smoother driving experience and improved acceleration by employing a better relationship between throttle opening and torque output. In addition, recommended towing capacities have increased to 1300kg for petrol models and 1400kg for diesels.

Inside, upmarket additions include chromed accents for the air-conditioning dials and combination cluster meter, a new steering wheel with improved controls and, for 2WD ASX models, new seat trim, steering wheel audio controls and a new audio system with CD and iPod compatibility, and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity with voice and steering wheel controls.

A new-generation audio display available on 2WD and 4WD Aspire models features a 6.1-inch colour touch-screen, iPod control and a rear-view camera with parking reference lines.

In addition to the ASX 2WD’s standard features, the new 2WD Aspire model offers 17-inch alloy wheels, a chromed exhaust outlet, front foglights and exterior chrome accents, while inside there is leather seat trim, heated front seats, a powered driver’s seat, leather-look door trims and rear privacy glass.

Like the 4WD Aspire models, the new 2WD also comes with automatic headlights and wipers, keyless entry and starting, and a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

In addition, 4WD Aspire variants now come with a panoramic roof and simplified 4x4 button selector to switch between drive modes.

The 110kW/300Nm 1.8-litre diesel-powered ASX 4WD Aspire six-speed manual continues to return best-in-class fuel consumption of 5.7L/100km and CO2 emissions of 149g/km, while the ongoing 2WD and new 2WD Aspire variants come with the same 110kW/197Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine as before, returning 7.7L/100km (manual) and 7.9L/100km (CVT).

There is no change to the ASX’s standard five-star ANCAP-rated safety kit, which includes Active Stability Control with Traction Control (ASTC), seven airbags (including twin front, front-side, side curtain and driver’s knee airbags), Hill Start Control and ABS brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist.

The entry-level ASX 2WD is available with a $995 Safety Pack comprising a chromed exhaust outlet, display audio, reversing camera and rear parking sensors, while both 2WD and 4WD Aspire models can be had with a $2995 MMCS and Rockford Pack, which includes a new seven-inch WVGA colour touch-screen and 3D mapping, plus a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate premium audio system.

First introduced here in late 2010, the ASX was the third highest selling small SUV in Australia last year, but has dropped to fifth place thus far in 2012 behind the Nissan Dualis, Hyundai ix35, Subaru XV and Volkswagen Tiguan. To June this year the ASX has found 3767 buyers and 12.8 per cent of the small SUV market.

Last month both Citroen and Peugeot introduced their versions of the ASX - the C4 Aircross and 4008 respectively – in Australia and announced its Illinois plant in the US, where the ASX is known as the Outlander Sport, will export the vehicle to Russia and countries in the Middle East and Central and South America. More than 250,000 ASXs have been sold globally since 2010.

“The ASX has proven to be a popular vehicle in the Australian market and we are confident the new-look model will continue to appeal to customers who need a versatile, compact SUV with plenty of functionality and safety features,” said new Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited CEO, Mutsuhiro Oshikiri.

MY13 ASX pricing:
2WD petrol five-speed manual - $25,990
2WD petrol CVT - $28,240
2WD Aspire petrol five-speed manual - $28,990
2WD Aspire petrol CVT - $31,240
4WD Aspire diesel six-speed manual - $34,990
4WD Aspire petrol CVT - $34,990

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