#2021 Mitsubishi ASX Changes | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

mitsubishifever · 2 years

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Why Buy A Mitsubishi ASX Now Before It's Too Late

Mitsubishi Motors will unveil an all-new ASX sometime in the near future, but it will be nothing like the current Mitsubishi ASX for sale that has become one of the biggest success motoring stories over the past decade.

This is already casting some doubt as to whether the newcomer can replicate its predecessor’s sales performance, and even over the viability of importing it given the extent of change the model is undergoing.

As reported in late January during the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s announcement stating its intention to introduce 35 new electric vehicles to market by 2023, the long-awaited replacement for the 12-year-old small SUV will be derived from one of “Renault’s bestsellers”.

All bets point to that being the Renault Captur II that landed a few years ago, but the implications of this raise far more questions – and eyebrows – than answers for consumers.

As with the closely-related but British-built Nissan Juke II that launched in 2020 as well as the recently released Renault Arkana from South Korea, this means that the 2023 ASX is set to switch to the CMF-B (for Common Module Family – B-segment vehicles) modular platform by the French manufacturer rather than Mitsubishi.

This changes everything, beginning with packaging. Will it be big enough?

The current ASX is based on the GS platform that first saw the light of day in 2005, underpinning scores of C- and D-segment models from various manufacturers, with the most pertinently for Australians being Mitsubishi’s now-defunct Lancer small car, two generations of the Outlander mid-sized SUV (until the latest model arrived in late 2021) and today’s Eclipse Cross.

So what, you say? Well, the MY22 ASX’s length/ width/ height/ wheelbase measurements are 4365/ 1810/ 1640/ 2670mm, while the latest Captur II’s equivalents come in at 4227/ 1797/ 1567/ 2639mm. Or, in other words, the future ASX could be substantially smaller in every dimension and thus will shrink a segment size down, from the C SUV to the B SUV class.

The consequence of this is that, while we can’t say for sure as yet, the next-gen version may end up being significantly less spacious inside. Think going from a Mazda CX-30 to a CX-3… or Holden VF Commodore to ZB Commodore. This would have major ramifications for people seeking a family-friendly SUV. The fact that Australians buy the ASX because it offers one of the bigger interiors for the money cannot be underestimated. This has been a key unique selling proposition against key opponents for years, and one that the next ASX is on track to lose.

Then there’s the question of pricing and exchange rate issues. Will it still represent compelling value for money?

The ASX will most likely have to be imported from Europe (probably Spain, since the Captur II is sourced from Renault’s Valladolid facility) rather than from Japan like today’s version, so it’s best to forget about the rock-bottom pricing that has been the lynchpin of the existing ASX’s success in recent years.

Why is the Mitsubishi currently so comparatively inexpensive? Considering it was globally unveiled in Japan as the third-generation RVR in December 2009, the current ASX has had years to amortise its initial investment, making it now very cheap to produce and market.

Of course, the next ASX’s relationship with the also-CMF-B-based Renault Arkana could lead to less-expensive South Korean sourcing – courtesy of Renault Samsung Motors, which also supplies us with the established Nissan X-Trail-derived Renault Koleos – to serve non-European markets like Australia and North America (where the ASX is sold as the Outlander Sport). But this is pure speculation, with no confirmation from the Alliance.

However, regardless of where it’s imported from, part of the anticipated extra expense is down to the ASX stepping up in technology and sophistication, adopting more modern safety and updated, advanced petrol powertrains. Mitsubishi isn’t saying, but the Alliance’s circa-84kW/180Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo or 118kW/270Nm 1.3-litre four-pot turbo engine (shared with Mercedes-Benz) are very strong possibilities, along with various electrification options further down the track.

Along with requiring better-quality and higher-octane fuel, these turbo powertrains use efficient, if complicated, dual-clutch transmissions, making them a far cry from simple and proven 110kW/197 2.0-litre and optional 123kW/222Nm 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated units offered today, sending torque to the front wheels via either a five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT). Besides driving and feeling very differently compared to today’s ASX, rising servicing and upkeep costs may also impact buyers’ wallets.

Ultimately, for all the advancements that come with it, embodying a much-more modern Renault (or Nissan) ultimately undermines the Mitsubishi-ness of the ASX.

Besides connecting with brand pillars like the Lancer, the current model adheres to a decades-long company policy of persisting with reliable, reputable and durable vehicles that proved their mettle over time, even if they ended up being outdated as a consequence. It happened with the Australian-made Sigma and Colt in the 1980s and Lancer and Magna in the 2000s. That’s how cash-strapped organisations survive, garnering legions of loyal Australian consumers along the way.

Maybe the best thing that Mitsubishi South Africa could do is change the name to manage consumer expectations. With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps Holden would have been wiser to do the same when it stuck on the wholly-unsuitable ‘Commodore’ badge on the imported 2018 Opel Insignia that replaced the locally-made icon.

Of course, the next ASX is still at least two years away from any local launch activity that might be being planned, and in that time, maybe Australians might tire of its age-related deficiencies against far-newer alternatives.

Finally, there’s the Eclipse Cross factor.

Mitsubishi may choose to concentrate on this last vestige of pre-Alliance engineering, with sharper pricing and minor updates to help boost this 2017-vintage small SUV crossover’s appeal to South Africans.

And why not? After all, using the same GS platform down to an identical 2670mm wheelbase, the Eclipse Cross was originally created as the ASX’s replacement back in the middle of last decade, before the latter’s unexpected popularity surge worldwide coupled with mounting company financial woes led to the decision to run old and new concurrently.

While managing fewer than half of the 14,764 sales accumulated by the far-older ASX last year, the Eclipse Cross’ 6132 registration tally represents a 36 per cent rise over 2020, aided by that year’s much-needed facelift.

Whatever Mitsubishi decides, and despite falling far behind the best in its segment, the ASX is now regarded as a pioneer, being one of the first small SUVs on the market when it arrived in mid-2010 to be pitched as an alternative to regular small car hatchbacks like the Toyota Corolla. Back then, the larger Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester were classed as ‘compact SUVs’, with only oddball models like the Suzuki SX4 offering something truly urban-sized.

Of course, since then, copycats ranging from the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3 to the Hyundai Kona and MG ZS have proliferated, but with regular improvements and updates, the ASX rose from a sales outlier to segment champion heading into the 2020s.

Is there even hope that the Renault Captur-based replacement can achieve the same degree of success?

Originally posted by https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/

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qohow · 4 years

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the 10 automotive news not to be missed this summer

Didn’t follow the automotive news this summer? As the automotive world has not stopped spinning over the vacations, here’s a quick catch-up session to bring you up to speed before the recovery.

Gilles Vidal went from Peugeot to Renault

Mercato is not only in soccer. In the automotive industry, too, talent goes from one team to another. One of the surprises of the summer is the transfer of Gilles Vidal. He has been at the head of Peugeot’s design department for 10 years, with many successes to his credit, such as the 3008 II, and has decided to leave PSA. He will join Renault in November! At the same time, the Losange has also taken on the services of the former design boss from Seat.

The scrappage premium has changed

A victim of its own success, the generous scrapping bonus put in place to boost sales after containment ended at the beginning of August. The government has reverted to the old system, which reserves the best aid for the lowest incomes. However, one novelty of the exceptional bonus has been kept: all French people can be helped by scrapping a pre-2006 gasoline or pre-2011 diesel.

Mitsubishi ready to leave Europe

At the end of July, Mitsubishi announced that it was freezing the introduction of new models in Europe. A decision that took the French network by surprise, which will gradually see the vehicles disappear from the range. This is already the case for the ASX and Eclipse Cross, then it will be the turn of the Outlander and the Space Star. In 2021, only the L200 pickup will be left! Before a total disappearance?

Nissan, Opel and Toyota change logo

This summer, several brands reviewed their identity. On the side of Toyota, this only concerns communication, with a new “flat” logo. At Opel, it is the emblem on the cars that has changed with the arrival of the new Mokka. The evolution is subtle, with a refined lightning bolt and a refined disc. Nissan redesigned everything when it introduced the Ariya electric SUV. The logo for communication has been oversimplified, and this minimalist aspect is found in the Ariya’s grille, in a luminous version.

Frenchman Takes the Lead in Jaguar Land Rover

To run Jaguar and Land Rover, Tata, owner of the British duo, called on a Frenchman. The Frenchman was Thierry Bolloré, who had been unceremoniously ousted from the position of CEO of Renault in October 2019. Bolloré’s task looks set to be a tough one, as Jaguar and Land Rover are in great difficulty, impacted in particular by the drop in diesel sales.

BMW Announces M3 Touring

In the fall, BMW will unveil the new M3 sedan. We specify sedan because there will soon be a station wagon! The manufacturer confirmed it itself, before scoop hunters tracked down the first prototype, which ventured onto open roads a few days ago. However, you’ll have to be patient if you want to have a more practical M3, since it will be marketed in 2022.

Gendarmerie: the Cupra Leon ready to replace the Mégane RS

According to our colleagues of La Revue Automobile, the Gendarmerie is looking for a replacement for the Mégane RS. And after tests, it would have chosen the Cupra de la Leon. Advantage of the Spanish: a station wagon variant. 17 station wagons have been ordered and should join the rapid intervention brigades in the coming months.

Audi unveils the new S3

New products have become rare this summer. The brands are waiting for the new season! Among the few models presented this summer were the Nissan Ariya, the BMW iX3, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series and the Audi S3. Already shown in Sportback and sedan, the S3 gets a 310 hp 2.0 TFSI.

The Smart factory for sale, Ineos ready to take it over

Thunderclap at the beginning of summer. To everyone’s surprise, Daimler announced its intention to sell the Smart plant located in Lorraine. One candidate for the buyout quickly made itself known, namely Ineos, which plans to manufacture a new adventurer, worthy heir to the Defender! Ineos should ensure the continuity of production of the Fortwo for a few years, and maintain almost all the jobs for a while.

BBS files for bankruptcy

The rim manufacturer BBS is in trouble again. Since 2015, the German company has been owned by a South Korean company (Nice Holdings Co), which no longer wishes to provide financial support. A positive outcome is hoped for this big name in the automotive industry.

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