Renault-based 2023 Mitsubishi ASX coming to ASEAN, will PH get it?
All-new Mitsubishi ASX to be available outside Europe
Remember when Mitsubishi revealed the all-new ASX last year? Despite having the signature three-diamond emblem on its grille, the second-generation ASX is actually a rebadged Renault Captur II. During its reveal last September 2022, Mitsubishi said the new ASX would arrive at European showrooms in March 2023. At the time, Mitsubishi did not mention if the crossover will be available outside of Europe.
Today, we can confirm that the 2023 ASX will be making its way to other markets beyond the Old Continent. Under the company's Challenge 2025 Mid-Term Business plan, Mitsubishi will roll out 12 models (including 7 xEV models) over the next 5 years.
These include an electric pickup truck, the Xpander Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), and the aforementioned ASX. Mitsubishi will roll out the said vehicles in both its Growth Drivers (ASEAN and Oceania) as well as in Leverage Regions (Latin America, Middle East, and Africa).
The exact specifications for the ASEAN-bound ASX are not yet available. However, given that Mitsubishi plans to meet lower CO2 emissions by 2030, we won't be surprised if the all-new ASX will come with electrified powertrains alongside a standard turbocharged engine.
In Europe, the Renault-based ASX starts with a 1.0-liter and 1.3-liter turbo three-cylinder. The former makes 91 PS while the latter is available in two states of tune; 140 PS with a 6-speed manual and 158 PS when paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch.
Next is the 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid that's helped along by a pair of electric motors. It's connected to a 6-speed multi-mode automatic and has a total system output of 143 PS. A plug-in hybrid version of the 1.6-liter engine is also available and comes with a 10.5 kWh battery pack. This allows the ASX to travel on pure electric power for 49 km when fully charged.
With the ASX set to be available in ASEAN and Oceania, it looks like Mitsubishi will have multiple subcompact crossovers in both regions. That's because the production version of the XFC is set to be revealed later this year. In fact, a camouflaged prototype was already spotted in Indonesia last February. Perhaps the only question now is will Mitsubishi PH bring both the XFC and ASX here to the country, or will they only bring one of them to the Philippine market in the future?
