The synergies of the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance benefit all its members and are clearly beginning to take shape in the catalog of the three-diamond firm. The Japanese manufacturer has just started marketing in our country the new generation of ASX, directly derived from the Renault Captur and called to inherit the success of the previous model (which sold 380,000 units in the Old Continent) by now fully integrating into one of the fastest growing segments in Europe: the B-SUV.
The new member of the Mitsubishi family joins the European range of the Japanese brand, made up of the Space Star and the Eclipse Cross PHEV. However, it will not be the only novelty of this 2023, since in the framework of the current expansion of the company, the new Colt will join in the autumn, in this case based on the current Renault Clio.
The new ASX (Active Sports X-over) responds to two of the factors that set the current market trend in Europe: the growth of SUVs and crossovers, and electrification. Thus, the new generation of the ASX –based on the Alliance’s CMF-B platform– makes it possible to offer a wide variety of engines, including the plug-in hybrid (PHEV), the self-recharging hybrid (HEV) and the micro-hybrid (MHEV), as well as such as advanced security systems and the latest infotainment and digitization features.
In this way, the ASX (manufactured at the Renault factory in Valladolid) adapts to the different priorities of urban SUV drivers in Europe, offering everything from low emissions and fuel savings to high performance, but always with a chassis configuration that emphasizes ease of driving.
The entry powertrain option (100T) is a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine, available in combination with a six-speed manual transmission. This unit provides 90 CV of power and a torque of 160 Nm. Its records in the official WLTP cycle are 5.7 liters/100 km on average with CO2 emissions of 130 g/km.
For customers looking for more performance, the 130T MHEV offers a 1.3-liter direct injection turbocharged gasoline engine combined with a micro-hybrid system. It is equipped with a belt-driven starter alternator coupled to a 12V lithium-ion battery, which facilitates energy recovery both during deceleration and braking, as well as electrical torque assist.
This variant can be chosen with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (7DCT). With the first transmission option, the engine provides 140 HP of power and 260 Nm of torque, while associated with the DCT box it yields 160 HP of power and 270 Nm of torque. Consumption remains contained at 5.7 and 5.8 litres/100 km with CO2 emissions of 130 and 132 g/km, respectively.
And to meet the growing interest in sustainability and the demand for greater efficiency and reduced emissions from customers who are more committed to the environment, the brand also offers a self-recharging hybrid configuration on the ASX. Called the 160 HEV, it is the first Mitsubishi Motors model in Europe to combine a 1.6-litre petrol unit with two electric motors and a multi-mode automatic gearbox. This variant offers 145 hp and also has electric assistance that helps reduce CO2 emissions (only 104 g/km) and improve fuel consumption efficiency: estimated at only 4.7 litres/100 km.
Finally, the last stage in the electrification of the ASX is reached in the plug-in hybrid version (160 PHEV). In this case, the mechanical scheme is made up of a 1.6-liter gasoline engine accompanied by two electric motors and a 10.5 kWh battery. This combination of technologies allows you to switch between different power modes to maximize efficiency and comfort.
Thanks to its powerful battery pack, the ASX PHEV, with 160 HP and which can recover its full recharging capacity in just 3 hours, enjoys a range of up to 63 km in pure electric mode during city driving or 49 km in combined cycle. Its official efficiency records correspond to a volume of CO2 of only 30 g/km and 1.3 litres/100 km of average consumption.
It is already available from this same month of March in the Spirit, Motion, Kaiteki and Kaiteki finishes from 23,490 euros (or 19,490 with campaigns and discounts applied). The brand’s sales goal in Spain is to reach around 3,500 units in 2023, with an estimated sales mix of 45% for the MHEV, 25% for the 100T, 20% for the PHEW and the remaining 10% for the 160 HEV.
