Mitsubishi is relaunching in Europe thanks to one of the stars of the urban SUV market quickly rebadged for the occasion. Discovery of the new ASX, a clone of the Renault Captur.
Sold nearly 380,000 copies in Europe until its discontinuation in 2020, the Mitsubishi ASX starts from scratch and changes its appearance for its new generation. It takes up the base and style of the second-generation Renault Captur, thanks to the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Thus, the Japanese becomes a B-segment SUV, and loses a few centimeters in the battle. It goes to 4.23 m, 13 cm less than the older generation (4.36 m) who boxed rather in the upper category.
In terms of style, it’s a bit of a disappointment. The various teasers had let us imagine some changes to the light signature and the shields, but that’s not the case. This new ASX is a carbon copy of the Captur, like the “engineering badge” between Toyota and Suzuki (Corolla Touring Sports/Swace and RAV4/Across) or Toyota and Mazda (Yaris/Mazda 2 Hybrid). Only the logos change, as well as the very slightly modified grille. But then why does this twin model exist? In fact, according to the management of the brand, it is a transition model, developed at low cost, in order to get back on track and prepare for the new generation of models. It must be said that Mitsubishi almost left Europe, and was saved in extremis by this decision to collaborate with Renault.
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To define its front face, Mitsubishi evokes the “Dynamic Shield” of other models. The three-diamond logo replaces the Captur’s diamond. On the grille, three small chrome V appear. The C-shaped LED optics are exactly identical, as are the 17 or 18 inch rims. At the rear, we note the arrival of a Mitsubishi logo in full, very fashionable today. But that makes the rear-view camera integration (usually built into Renault’s diamond on the Captur) quite wonky, with a protrusion in the middle of the tailgate. Six body colors are taken from the Captur range, ranging from white to black via blue or red. Mitsubishi also takes up the possibility of two-tone customization thanks to a black roof on the high-end variants.
On board, we find without great surprise the dashboard of the Captur. Only the central logo of the steering wheel makes it possible to distinguish the French from the Japanese. The central touch screen is the same, with 7 inches in horizontal format or 9.3 inches in vertical format depending on the finish chosen. It integrates Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. On the top end, a Bose sound system is available. For the instrumentation, three possibilities: entry-level needle counters with 4.2-inch on-board computer, configurable 7-inch digital instrument panel in the mid-range or fully customizable 10.25-inch screen, with the possibility of duplicating the navigation instructions. The modularity is identical, with several tricks including a sliding bench seat, retained unlike the Nissan Juke cousin. The trunk is 332 liters, and gains 69 liters (401 l) when the sliding seat is moved forward to the maximum.
Engines: petrol or hybrid but no LPG
Thanks to the use of the CMF-B platform, the ASX logically resumes the same engines as the Captur, except for LPG which remains exclusive to Renault. Thus, the SUV has an entry-level three-cylinder 1.0 petrol engine with 90 hp, only associated with a six-speed manual gearbox. Above, the four-cylinder 1.3 develops 140 hp (manual transmission) or 160 hp (seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission) depending on the version chosen. A simple hybrid variant of 145 hp is also offered, as well as a rechargeable hybrid modeled on the Renault E-Tech Plug-in. This combines two electric motors with an atmospheric 1.6 four-cylinder for a combined power of 160 hp. The PHEV engine allows up to 49 km of electric range (combined cycle) thanks to a 10.5 kWh battery. Like the Captur, the ASX does not have a diesel engine.
The 5-year warranty, an argument for Mitsubishi?
Produced on the same Spanish chains in Valladolid as the Renault Captur, the new ASX will be marketed in March 2023. It will be followed in the fall by the new Colt, based on the Renault Clio following the same recipe. To stand out from the French, the Japanese should offer a price range slightly lower than this, now displayed at €23,400. The manufacturer should also emphasize its 5-year warranty, longer than most builders who stop at two or three years.
Photos : C. Choulot / Mitsubishi
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