New Mitsubishi ASX could bring PHEV option

Mitsubishi Australia has confirmed its next-generation small SUV could be available with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, as development continues on the replacement for the aged Mitsubishi ASX in Australia.

As we reported in December, a decision on Mitsubishi Australia’s next ASX is expected to be made before March ahead of its local arrival by 2025 and options include the new model revealed for Europe in 2022 (based on the Renault Captur) and the Indonesian-built Xforce unveiled last August.

As time ticks away on the original Mitsubishi ASX, which was released way back in 2010, and Mitsubishi and the rest of Australia’s car industry prepares for strict new-vehicle emissions standards from next year, a PHEV version of the new ASX has come into focus and is said to be “quite advanced”.

Speaking at the recent launch of the new Triton ute, Mitsubishi Australia chief Shaun Westcott acknowledged the need to replace the original ASX, which has been regularly updated over its 13-year lifespan, but has lost its title as the nation’s top-selling small SUV to newer arrivals.

“ASX is still one of the most popular cars in Australia. We have had severe supply challenges in Australia over the past year,” he told carsales.

“We do recognise, understand and appreciate that it is an ageing model and we also understand the importance of managing our fleet emissions. Having PHEV Eclipse, Outlander and [potentially] a kei-car BEV, a small SUV is very important in our range.

“We understand the importance of that.”

Asked specifically if the next-generation ASX could include electrified powertrains, Westcott said all options were currently on the table.

But given Mitsubishi specialises in PHEV technology and continues its efforts to educate the Australian public on the advantages of plug-in hybrid vehicles, a PHEV powertrain appears more certain for the new ASX.

“We are working very closely with our parent company about the [ASX] replacement and, within that, there are multiple options under study. It’s a fairly advanced study at this point as well,” Westcott said.

“We don’t know whether it will include a plug of some description. It depends on which solution is selected. It’s a continuum of opportunities.”

Originally ruled out as a potential for Australia because it was only to be built in Spain in left-hand drive guise for Europe, the second-generation Captur-based ASX is available with either a 67kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol manual powertrain, a 1.3-litre mild-hybrid engine with manual and dual-clutch auto transmissions offering up to 116kW, or a dual-motor 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid system supported by a 1.3kWh battery and developing 108kW.

But Europe’s ASX range is topped by a dual-motor 1.6-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain that’s fed by a 10.5kWh battery pack, develops 118kW and consumes a claimed 1.5L/100km.

Meantime, the Mitsubishi Xforce – another all-new front-wheel drive compact SUV – is powered by a more basic 77kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine combined with a CVT but is claimed to bring class-leading interior space and ground clearance, plus a large 12.3-inch infotainment touch-screen and an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster,

However, the Xforce would require significant safety upgrades for Australia because it has so far only been developed for markets with less stringent safety requirements like Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and ASEAN markets including the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia, where it’s produced.

So in the near term unless it chooses to forego sales to fleets that require a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, Mitsubishi is likely to introduce the more expensive European ASX – potentially with hybrid and/or plug-in hybrid power.

But it appears the longer-term solution favoured by Mitsubishi is for the next-generation Xforce to be developed as a global vehicle that’s capable of also being sold in developed markets such as Australia.

“ASX is getting a little bit older now and I do believe speaking as the Australia CEO that we need a short-term fix,” Westcott told carsales in December.

“I am asking, I am challenging and I am pushing very hard for a solution that meets the product lifecycle of the current ASX.

“We are aiming to announce that decision by the end of this year [2023]… It’s not far away.”

At the more recent Triton launch, Westcott confirmed Mitsubishi would continue with the current ASX for the foreseeable future.

“We will continue to sell the current ASX until the next model lands, but I can’t give you a timeline on that just yet,” he said.

“As we sit here today, if you gave me 20,000 extra vehicles then my sales figures would be fantastic because the demand for the car exceeds supply.”

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