TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Mitsubishi ASX plugs in

Mitsubishi pushed its designers hard for the last Tokyo motor show in 2013 to create three concept models. This year, expect to see just one concept: the all-new ASX, or as they call it in Japan, the RVR.

Born in 1991 at the end of the so-called 'Bubble Economy', the first two RVRs were Japan-only people-movers, but the third-generation became a pioneering compact SUV also sold in Australia, where its cheeky styling, clever packaging and value for money found it a solid following.

Now, with Mazda going straight to the top of the fray with its first small SUV, the CX-3, which delivers a wide range of engines and model grades at an attractive price, Mitsubishi is serious about standing out in the fast-growing segment that also includes the Honda HR-V, Nissan JUKE, Suzuki Vitara and Ford EcoSport.

As you can see by this rendering, the new ASX/RVR – due on sale globally next year -- will present a muscular new wed-shaped profile dominated by Mitsubishi’s new bold and edgy X-shaped front-end design as seen on the facelifted Outlander.

The fourth-generation model will not only come with a range of conventional engines, but also an advanced plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) powertrain.

According to a source close to Mitsubishi, however, it will not adopt the single-motor 1.1-litre turbocharged petrol-electric powertrain fitted to the 2013 Tokyo show's XR-PHEV Concept, which Mitsubishi followed up with the XR-PHEV II at this year's Geneva show.

Instead, it will come with a totally new twin-motor plug-in hybrid system driving all four wheels.

Reflecting results gained from exhausting global customer clinics, Mitsubishi has decided to fit the first ASX PHEV with a two-motor AWD system enhanced by an upgraded version of the Outlander’s plug-in hybrid set-up and Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, which first appeared on the Lancer Evolution in 2007.

S-AWC integrates management of its Active Centre Differential (ACD), Active Yaw Control (AYC), Active Stability Control (ASC) and Sports ABS components.

With all its hi-tech traction gizmos, our insider says we can expect handling that approaches the levels of the Lancer Evolution. A tall claim indeed.

In detail, ACD regulates the differential between free and locked states to optimise torque distribution between the front and rear axles. AYC acts like a limited-slip differential by suppressing rear-wheel slip and rerouting torque to where it’s needed most to maintain rear-end traction.

Taking one step beyond the outgoing Lancer Evo X, ASC boasts brake pressure sensors at each wheel that not only enhance braking force, but improve traction by minimising slippage under acceleration.

A newly developed 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine will be incorporated in the ASX PHEV, but it won’t drive the car. Rather, it will act as a generator to charge the batteries.

However, don’t expect to see the high-tech ASX PHEV anytime before 2017.

Our source tells us Mitsubishi still has work to do on the dual-motor 4WD system, so the new ASX will be initially launched next year only with an upgraded version of the current 2.2-litre turbo-diesel generating a beefy 133kW of power and 430Nm of torque, with the choice of 2WD and AWD.

The ground-breaking ASX PHEV will be added to the line-up a year later.

Image: Holiday Auto