Mitsubishi Australia to evaluate new small SUV, as ASX ‘stalwart’ continues for now

Mitsubishi has announced the production version of its XFC concept will debut in Indonesia next month.

The all-new small SUV is intended for sale in developing markets, with Mitsubishi Australia confirming it will announce its plans for the small SUV segment “in due course”.

It currently sells two vehicles in the popular segment – the 13-year-old ASX and the six-year-old Eclipse Cross – with no successor plans announced globally or for Australia.

“[Mitsubishi Australia] is working closely with [head office] on the future model portfolio and this includes the small SUV segment where ASX has been a stalwart,” said the brand’s local arm.

Earlier this year, Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott said the company has no plans to replace the ASX at present because the current model continues to sell so well in Australia.

"I can't reveal details [for ASX] other than to say that it's still smashing records. It's still sitting extremely well. It's a really popular car in Australia and a very important car for us," he said.

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"We continue to explore multiple and various options around what is the right [replacement] car to bring to Australia."

In addition, Mitsubishi's general manager of its product strategy division Koichi Namiki, told Wheels a successor to the ASX is "not likely".

“We could come up with a totally new car, but it’s not likely"

Namiki-san was honest that, as futuristic as it may look, the production version of XFC will need safety and performance upgrades to satisfy markets like Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Mitsubishi has announced the unnamed small SUV is “first planned for launch” in its core South-East Asian region – including Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines – which has less stringent safety standards.

It will feature four drive modes – normal, gravel, mud and a Mitsubishi-first wet mode – with active yaw control.

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Other confirmed features include LED exterior lighting, a new infotainment system, a large instrument cluster display, a Yamaha audio system and “versatile storage spaces”, while ground clearance is said to be a class-leading 222 millimetres.

“In developing the all-new compact SUV, we enhanced road performance through repeated testing in Japan on a course that mirrored the road conditions of the ASEAN region, as well as thorough, extensive road testing in the region itself,” said chief product specialist, Masahiro Ito.

The new Mitsubishi small SUV will be unveiled at the Indonesia auto show on August 10.