A new concept from Mitsubishi, already confirmed to be a preview for a production model, has given us a glimpse into what the next-generation ASX could look like.
The Mitsubishi XFC, as it’s called, was revealed ahead of the 2022 Vietnam Motor Show where it will be displayed from October 26.
The small SUV concept, which uses plenty of Mitsubishi styling cues and seems close to a production-ready design, is almost certainly a look at what we can expect when the current generation of Mitsubishi ASX ends its more-than decade-long run on sale.
Mitsubishi president and CEO Takao Kato confirmed the model based on the XFC will launch in the 2023-24 financial year throughout South-east Asia and beyond.
“In the future, we plan to add an electrified variant to the line-up and to also roll it out in regions outside ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations),” he said.
“We hope to grow the model from a vehicle for the ASEAN market to a global strategic vehicle, making it a core model like the sales-leading Xpander crossover MPV.”
While major specifications of the concept are under wraps, Mitsubishi has revealed details about its design, interior, and even a drive mode that it says was designed with flooding in mind – an unfortunately pertinent feature given Australia’s recent weather.
Wet mode, which hasn’t been used by Mitsubishi before, was “designed with use in ASEAN countries in mind, such as enabling safe driving even on roads flooded by sudden showers”.
Aside from this, Mitsubishi XFC features a fully digital driver display and centre console across a single screen with the ability to show three different sections of information.
From the outside, its LED light clusters and large wheels are typical of a concept car, though it’s not unreasonable to expect similar light designs in a T shape as seen on the new Outlander, nor is there anything particularly wild about its design that doesn’t appear suitable for production.
Notable is the lack of glass mirrors, instead cameras are shown on the concept with screens flanking the dash as mirror displays.
Its touchpad centre console controls and steering wheel buttons, as well as the sleek gear selector, are the most likely elements of the concept to be drawn back to something more traditional.
While Europe has recently been given its own next-gen ASX, a badge-engineered Renault Captur, Australia won’t see that version locally – likely due to the lower popularity of the Captur here compared to in Europe and the high pricetag of importing cars from that region of the world, as well as the enduring popularity of the current generation ASX here.
In 2022 so far (to the end of September) the Renault Captur sold 997 units, where the ASX boasts 9205 sales.
The ASX is expected to hang around for a year or so more yet, having just had a model refresh and price bump to carry it through to the reveal of the next generation proper.
Keyword: The next ASX? Mitsubishi will launch new small SUV based on XFC concept