Mitsubishi launches the powerful electric crossover ASX VR-e in the market

The Japanese company Mitsubishi has unveiled a new flagship electric vehicle that differs significantly from all previous eco-friendly models developed by the brand. Rather than designing the car from scratch, Japanese engineers collaborated with the Taiwanese consortium Foxconn to create a licensed version of the Foxtron Bria model, named Mitsubishi ASX VR-e. The new vehicle will first hit the Australian automotive market, where buyers will have access to four different trims: LS, Aspire, Exceed, and the top-tier sports version GSR.

The exterior design of the crossover closely mirrors the original Taiwanese model, whose styling was crafted by designers from the legendary Italian studio Pininfarina. The vehicle features a sleek silhouette with a European flair, sophisticated LED lighting, and hidden door handles.

The crossover’s interior features a large 15.6-inch central touchscreen multimedia system, a 9.2-inch digital dashboard, and a sport steering wheel. The Exceed and GSR trims are additionally equipped with a panoramic glass roof, power-operated trunk doors, and a premium audio system with 12 speakers. The cabin is available in gray or black finishes with contrasting blue accents. The factory warranty lasts 5 years or 100,000 kilometers and can be officially extended to 10 years or 200,000 kilometers with maintenance at authorized service centers.

All four versions use the same lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 57.7 kWh. The LS, Aspire, and Exceed trims are equipped with a single rear electric motor delivering 229 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.8 seconds.

The flagship ASX VR-e GSR model features a two-motor all-wheel-drive system with a combined output of 459 horsepower and 700 Nm. This exceeds the performance of the most powerful factory-built sedan in Lancer Evolution history, the exclusive British Evo X FQ-440 MR with 440 horsepower. The sporty electric crossover accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

The Sport mode control unit algorithm automatically distributes power between the axles in ratios ranging from 50/50 to 30/70. Range is limited to around 400 km due to the modest battery capacity, and the maximum power for DC fast charging is 134 kW.

Official prices will be announced at the end of this year, when the first production units begin arriving at dealerships.