New Mitsubishi ASX VR-e has Italian style, Taiwanese roots and 400bhp
The recently revitalised Japanese brand has repurposed another familiar name
The Mitsubishi ASX has been transformed from a simple family SUV into a head-turning, almost sci-fi electric hatchback styled by Pininfarina and potentially packing up to 400bhp.
The ASX was originally launched back in 2010, as a rival to the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Yeti, among other family SUVs at the time. There was a second-generation model, but it was just a rebadged version of the Renault Captur and not sold in the UK.
For this new model, Mitsubishi has again slapped its badge and the ASX name on another brand’s car. However, rather than being based on a Renault, it's a lightly restyled version of the lesser-known Foxtron Bria from Taiwan.
The new Mitsubishi ASX VR-e – its name a nod to the brand’s famous Galant VR-4 sports saloon – has a slightly different headlight design to the Foxtron and different badging, plus some tweaks at the rear and to the interior trim. But otherwise, changes are minimal.
The Foxtron Bria was designed by Pininfarina, and incorporates several aerodynamic elements such as an S-Duct in the car’s nose that channels airflow over the bonnet. There are also active shutters in the lower grille to reduce drag or improve cooling, depending on the driving conditions.
Very few technical details have been released for the ASX VR-e yet, however we know that every Foxtron Bria features a 57.7kWh battery that can provide up to 321 miles of range – although that is on the Chinese NEDC testing cycle, not the more stringent WLTP cycle used in Europe.
Meanwhile, the Mitsubishi can charge at up to a decent 134kW, rear-drive versions produce 229bhp and the top-spec all-wheel-drive model has 400bhp. That’s enough for 0-62mph in less than four seconds.
The new Mitsubishi ASX VR-e is due to go on sale in Australia later this year, however there’s been no word yet on whether it’ll come to the UK or Europe. Here, the Japanese brand has plenty on its plate launching the new Outlander PHEV, which is now available to order through the Auto Express Buy A Car service from £47,000, and L200 pick-up truck. Plus it’s teased the return of the Mitsubishi Shogun.
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