YOU must have seen the Mitsubishi ASX on our roads for the past ten years plus. Launched in November 2010 for RM139,980, this fully imported all wheel drive compact crossover arrived even before the Honda HR-V was first shown in Japan and when the term ‘crossover’ was not yet popular in Malaysia.
Yes, the ASX was probably the first crossover in Malaysia and until the middle of last year, you could buy one at a Mitsubishi showroom from RM118,000 (before a hefty discount negotiation).
It started showing its age a few years ago and despite some six localized facelifts over its 10-year plus lifetime in our market, we still see a few Malaysians wanting ownership.
So, the next question is when will there be a new ASX model? Ten years is a long time to have a product in the showroom. Ten years is a long time for any product to continue selling.
Well, in early 2019, Mitsubishi in Japan did unveil a whole new ASX and it was powered by a 2.0L MIVEC 16-valve engine equipped with the INVECS-III CVT with 6-speed Sports Mode. Both 2 and 4-wheel-drive versions were available. When we contacted the local Mitsubishi office, there was no clear indication of its arrival.
So, this new ASX was not destined for a Malaysian launch and instead Mitsubishi Malaysia looked at making a big ‘splash’ with their 7-seat Xpander MPV.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi had another crossover in its portfolio. The Eclipse Cross.
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Sized a little bit more than the ASX and a less than the larger 7-seat Mitsubishi Outlander, this crossover was powered by a new 1.5L direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine mated to a new CVT with 8-speed Sport Mode manual override.
It was launched in Singapore in January 2018 and sold reasonably well in the island state.
This was followed by a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version in October 2020 that could be driven in 3 modes: EV, Series Hybrid or Parallel Hybrid. In EV mode, the powertrain should be able to deliver more than 35km of just electric driving range.
Now, for 2021, Mitsubishi Japan has unveiled a new version of the ‘Eclipse Cross’, which offers a sleek, sporty appearance and improved driving confidence and comfort.
The front end adopts an evolved version of Mitsubishi's signature Dynamic Shield design concept, expressing strength and security. A new front bumper guard and refreshed light layout completes the front design with a bold, dynamic look.
Inside the cabin, a new black interior with silver accents and light gray leather seats create a more sophisticated look.
A new 8-inch smartphone-link display audio (SDA) system comes standard, giving the driver a better view of the information and easier operation.
The screen has been moved closer to the driver and front-seat passenger for ease of use, and now incorporates volume and turning knobs for fast reference. The touchpad that was previously used for multiple functions has been removed to allow for more storage space on the center console.
Carried over from the previous model, this latest Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is fitted with the company's 1.5-liter MIVEC direct injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Paired with an eight-speed sports mode continuously variable transmission (CVT), this new Eclipse Cross optimizes driving dynamics while also achieving low fuel consumption.
Will Malaysians get this crossover? Well, if Mitsubishi Malaysia brought this crossover to our shores in early 2019 when it was first shown in Singapore, it would have the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Toyota C-HR to compete with.
With the growth of the crossover segment in Malaysia, this first Eclipse would have seen a decent amount of sales.
However, right now with the rebadged Proton X70 SUV and X50 Crossover from Geely, this segment has shrunk fast for all the rivals. Price is the main issue and the rivals cannot compete with the ‘national car tax incentive’ that Proton enjoys. – The Vibes, February 15, 2021
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