New Mitsubishi ASX compact crossover

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All-new Mitsubishi ASX (RVR)
Lands the Outlander crossover in a more compact sphere

New 5-passenger ASX: in Europe from late spring 2010.

04 March 2010,
B. Aboul-Nasr.

Premiered at the 80th Geneva international motor show (public days from 4 to 14 March), the all-new Mitsubishi ASX widens the Japanese brand's offer in the crossover category, in a rather practical way.

For the European Mitsubishi ASX is the brother of the Japanese RVR compact crossover (on sale in Japan since last month), as well as the North American 2011 Outlander Sport model (this fall), all being based on the same Lancer / Outlander platform, with various changes depending on each model's roles.

ASX (above) carries over most of Outlander’s lower structure.

In Europe, the new 5-passenger ASX will be introduced from late spring 2010, fitting right under the larger and recently redesigned Outlander midsize crossover (5 or 7 passengers), leaving the tougher challenges to the well-known Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero/Shogun and L200 heavy-duty 4x4s line.

ASX/Outlander

As it carries over most of Outlander’s lower structure as well as the basic architecture of its chassis (MacPherson front suspension, multi-link rear suspension...), the new ASX compact crossover keeps the same 2.67 metre wheelbase dimension of the larger Outlander brother (sold also under the Peugeot 4007 and Citroën C-Crosser badges), while reducing the length by 34.5cm, from 4.64 metre in the Outlander to 4.295 in the ASX.

ASX / Outlander: longitudinal and vertical differences.

Most of the length difference between the Outlander and the ASX lays in the back, since the rear overhang is 250mm shorter in the ASX, compared to a 95mm difference at the front (different bumper shape).

Yet, this does not prevent the compact ASX crossover from offering 416 litres (14.7 cu. ft) of boot (trunk) volume with the rear seat back angle at 17° (forward position), or 393 litres (13.9 cu. ft) with the rear seat back angle at 23°.

Targets


Mitsubishi ASX Preliminary specifications

Body length	4.295m

Wheelbase	2.67m

Width	1.77m

Height	1.615m (1.625m with roof rails)

Tracks	1.525m (front and rear)

Weight	1,270 to 1,525 kg

Cd	0.32

Tire size	215/65R16

Trunk (boot) volume*	416 litres (14.7 cu. ft) at rear seat back angle at 17° (forward position), or 393 litres (13.9 cu. ft) at rear seat back angle at 23°.

*VDA measured, all seats in place. Source: MMC.

Mitsubishi says that one of the main missions of the new ASX is to reach out to new customers, as the recently revised Outlander achieved for the brand an 82% conquest rate (130,166 units sold in Europe since launch, vs. 328,212 units worldwide, making it its largest market). Outlander is perceived and adopted by European customers as an alternative to D-segment (upper medium, midsize) station/sports wagons rather than the midsize SUV it was supposed to be.

Mitsubishi adds that this perception dictated Outlander’s evolution half way through its product cycle towards a "more mature, better appointed, even more on-road oriented all-weather “mid-size crossover”, customers caring clearly more for its passenger car driving dynamics and its MPV-like interior flexibility than whatever soft/off-road capabilities it may have".

Electric power steering with tilt and telescopic adjustments.

Amongst others, the “ASX” name refers to the Mitsubishi ASX show car unveiled at the 2001 Detroit Auto Show: previewing the first generation Outlander - and as such the actual forerunner of the new car - this concept was also one of the first vehicles to coin the term “crossover”.

As the latest vehicle developed from it’s “Project Global” mid-size platform, ASX aims at "blending Lancer’s passenger car on-road attitude with Outlander’s commanding driving position and convenience of its clever AWC electronically-controlled 4-Wheel Drive system", as both 2WD and 4WD versions will be available, depending on market and specifications.

Wide Vision xenon headlamps.

Normal (top) versus Wide Vision xenon headlamps lighting.

Mitsubishi adds that a notable improvement comes through the introduction of an electric power steering (EPS) mechanism to further lower emissions, also fitted with both tilt and telescopic adjustments, the latter being a first for Mitsubishi Motors’ current range of vehicles.

Thanks to the electronic architecture of its “Project Global” platform, ASX combines a palette of active & passive safety devices, including (availability according to model and market): 160° Super-HiD “Wide Vision” xenon headlamps, Active Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Start Assist system, ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist, Emergency Stop signal System and 7 airbags (incl. driver knee airbag).

Body


Mitsubishi ASX

Engine	1.8 DiD	1.8 DiD	1.6 petrol
Drive	2WD	4WD	2WD
Gearbox	6-speed M/T	6-speed M/T	5-speed M/T

Displacement	1,798 cc	1,798 cc	1,590 cc

Output (PS)*	150	150	117
Output (bhp)*	148	148	115
Output (kW)*	110	110	86
At rpm	4,000	4,000	6,000

Torque (Nm)*	300	300	154
Torque (lb-ft)*	221	221	114
At rpm	2000-3000	2000-3000	4000

Top speed	200 km/h 124 mph	198 km/h 123 mph	183 km/h 114 mph

0-100 km/h 0-62 mph	9.7 sec.	9.7 sec.	11.4 sec.

CO2*	145 g/km	150 g/km	135 g/km

*Internal test result. Source: MMC.

The three-diamond brand says that its designers, "unencumbered by any marketing pressure to simulate an SUV look through heavy detailing (since the Pajero/Montero/Shogun and L200 fulfil the tougher missions), they further developed (the) concept... towards a less polarizing yet sharp, expressive... sports hatch".

At the front, the Jet Fighter grille – a nod to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.’s F-2 jet fighter and now a feature for most of Mitsubishi Motors on-road vehicles in Europe, Colt, Lancer and Outlander – is now framed within a more substantial looking clip, itself merging with a sculptured bonnet featuring a double bulge for better pedestrian safety and also to make the front body limits more visible in city driving.

Diesel

ASX will also inaugurate a new family of all-aluminium DOHC 16v 4-cylinder Common rail Direct injection Diesel engines, jointly developed by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Available double stitched leather, depending on models/markets.

MHI, which celebrates this year its 140th anniversary, provided its engineering expertise in industrial and marine Diesel engines, as well as in gas turbine technologies (MMC was spun off MHI in 1970).

Initially offered in 1.8 litre form - first with ASX and later on during the second half of 2010 in the related Lancer family - this “4N13” set of powerplants is a derivative of MMC’s recent petrol engine and features a new variable geometry turbocharger as well as high-efficiency combustion characteristics.

The 1,798 cc “4N13” Mitsubishi Diesel MIVEC engine will get – standard on all versions – a ClearTec low CO2 package, consisting of an Automatic Stop & Go system, a closed-flow Diesel particulate filter, an electric power steering, LED rear lamps (lower consumption and faster response) as well as low resistance tires.

Petrol

ASX will also be proposed with a new 1.6 litre DOHC 16v MIVEC engine: another in-house development, this time of Mitsubishi’s own 1.5 litre engine as fitted to Colt. In this ASX application, it will also be made available with the full ClearTec package, with a 5-speed manual transmission.

At a later stage, a 116ps (114 bhp, 85 kW) / 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) “low power” version of the 4N13 Diesel engine will also be made available in selected markets.

Interior

Inside, the cabin aims to reflect a sense of “dynamic quality” through the hooded metre cluster shared with Outlander, the soft padding around the centre instrument panel itself extending to the door trim or the silver accents applied either side of the audio system or along the door panels.

60:40 split rear seat with easy-fold rear bench.

While the interior colour scheme is based on a black monotone, contrasting use of textures and materials is meant to generate dynamism.

To achieve a soft trim for areas touched by the occupants, a new type of two-tone textured padding was developed, with contrastive undulations for a sporty feel.

The same approach prevailed for the seat upholstery with a new embossed woven material (double stitched leather is also available, depending on models and market) to add to the overall sense of sporty dynamic quality.

Panoramic glass roof with “Moonlight” LED lighting.

With its long wheelbase (2.67m, compared to its compact length), the 5-seater ASX offers practical aspects such as adjustable rear back rests, rear armrest with ski slot and cup-holders, 60:40 split rear seat, easy-fold rear bench, under floor tray (approx. 30 litres) and convenience hooks + lighting.

The ASX will also offer an available panoramic glass roof (a first for Mitsubishi Motors). Its wide UV-proof glass panel can be used during day time as a sun roof or, at night time, as a moon roof with the ambient “Moonlight” LED lighting (opposite picture) that frames it. The panoramic glass roof comes with a power sunshade.

Other equipments include standard items such as radio CD/MP3, AUX-in and 4 speakers, manual air conditioning, 7 airbags, Active Stability Control & Traction Control systems.

Further up the line, standard or optional equipment (depending on markets and versions) include automatic air conditioning, rain & dusk sensors, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, rear parking monitor, Bluetooth & USB connectivity, privacy glass, Super HiD “Wide Vision” xenon headlamps, keyless operation system, engine stop-start button, leather upholstery, Mitsubishi Multi-Communication System with HDD navigation system & music server and Rockford Fosgate Premium audio.

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