TOKYO: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation revealed on Monday the new Xpander MPV, featuring a refreshed design and improved eco-friendliness.
The facelifted model’s pricing will be announced at the 28th GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show to be held from Nov 11. It will also be on display there.
The new Xpander will be produced at Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia (Bekasi, West Java) and will be rolled out in Indonesia and to other Asean markets in stages.
The MPV with an SUV styling boasts an upgraded design inside and out, while a new high-efficiency continuously variable transmission (CVT) is adopted to reduce fuel consumption. It previously used a four-speed automatic.
The Dynamic Shield face has been tweaked, while a horizontal bumper gives an impression of a low centre of gravity. New to the facelifted model is a three-dimensional skid plate.
T-shaped headlights are incorporated as a new generation headlight unit shape, and for the higher trim levels, LED lights are used.
The rear design gives the impression of a wide and stable appearance with a new generation light shape and a horizontally styled rear bumper.
For the rear combination lights, T-shaped tail lights with homogeneous lighting are new, while LED stop lights are added to the LED tail lights and back lights to improve visibility at night.
For the top variant called Xpander Cross, 17-inch wheels and tyres are standard.
The front overhang is extended by 75 mm and the rear overhang by 45 mm to create proportions with a high-class feel.
Additionally, by raising the vehicle height by 15mm to 20mm compared to the current model, it gains higher ground clearance of 220mm to 225mm, while also improving off-road performance.
Blade Silver Metallic is a new colour. Other available colours include Quartz White Pearl, Graphite Gray Metallic, Jet Black Mica, Red Metallic and Deep Bronze Metallic.
Apart from a high-efficiency CVT, the 7-seat Xpander now gets an external EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system for the engine to achieve low fuel consumption without sacrificing engine performance.
The MPV is powered by the same 1.5-litre 16-valve DOHC Mivec engine that makes 104hp and 141Nm of torque.
An electric parking brake is newly added on selected variants. In addition, the new brake auto hold function allows the vehicle to continue the stopped state even when the driver takes their foot off the brake pedal when waiting for a traffic light or stopping in traffic jams, thereby reducing the burden on the driver and enhancing comfort.
For the suspension, the rigidity of the front strut mounting part is improved, and the cylinder size of the rear shock absorber is expanded, while high-performance valves are newly adopted at both the front and rear to provide a smooth and comfortable ride.
For an even more comfortable interior, storage space is further enhanced for greater ease-of-use. The center console is redesigned with a large-capacity open tray to easily hold a smartphone, and an armrest4 that can store four 600 milliliter plastic bottles is newly added for convenience.
To enhance comfort in the rear seats, Type-A and Type-C USB charging outlets are installed on the back of the center console for models equipped with armrests, and cup holders are newly added to the armrest of the second row seats.
Since its debut in Indonesia in 2017, the Xpander has continued to expand its presence in the Asean region, the Middle East, Latin America, South Asia and Africa.
In 2019, the Xpander Cross was added to the lineup as the top variant of the series, and the cumulative sales volume of the Xpander series has reached a total of 372,000 units as of October 2021.
Keyword: New Mitsubishi Xpander debuts in Indonesia