Keeping up with the crossovers
Mitsubishi has updated its popular ASX crossover to keep pace with new and coming rivals
MITSUBISHI is keen to keep its ASX the freshest and best-selling of its platform-sharing rivals, the Citroen C4 Aircross and Peugeot 4008. It dramatically outsells both of its siblings despite them all being essentially the same, bar the styling. Strangely the ASX range lacks a diesel option which is available from the French marques. It would appear that the market’s indifference to the French manufacturers continues, at least in this segment.
It is, of course, not only its siblings that it has to worry about. Nissan recently launched its new Qashqai which will continue to be a dominant force in the segment while Ford has updated its Kuga range. Hyundai also added a new 1.7 turbo diesel engine to its ix35 line-up but Mitsubishi has made a number of changes to stay with the pack.
The company says the ASX (Active Smart Crossover) now features an enhanced, sleeker exterior look matched by an improved centre console design with a more upmarket feel on the inside. All derivatives benefit from new black roof rails, chrome highlights inside and out, tinted windows and emergency stop signal brake lights. On GLX and GLS derivatives, new LED daytime running lights highlight redesigned front fog lamp surrounds, and new 17inch alloy wheels add pizzazz to the side profile.
A new Lightning Blue paint hue is also available, while on the mechanical side, an updated continuously variable transmission (CVT) system aims to enhance driveability and lower fuel consumption. A manual version is also still available.
“The ASX represented a new market for the Mitsubishi brand when we originally launched it in South Africa in 2011, where our renowned SUV roots could be experienced by a new buying audience for the brand,” said Mitsubishi Motors SA COO Wynand Pretorius.
Continuing as a five-model range, the ASX line-up features GL, GLX and GLS derivatives, all powered by the same 2.0l normally-aspirated petrol engine. The multi-point fuel injection MPi unit produces 110kW at 6,000r/min and 197Nm at 4,200r/min.
All derivatives are front-wheel drive, three of which feature a fivespeed manual gearbox, alongside the two range-topping GLS automatics which feature the CVT box. The most notable technical design change was made to CVT internals, where there is now a larger spectrum lock-up range to enhance driving and improve fuel economy. The company says these claims can be achieved due to the bigger selection of theoretical gear ratios available to the driver in auto mode, which are adaptive to driver input and driving style. As with the existing CVT derivative, manual shift mode is available, allowing the driver to manually override the transmission with six simulated gear ratios. The company says the new gearbox is also quieter and smoother.
The company is claiming fuel economy figures of 7.5l/100km on the combined cycle in the manual versions with carbon emissions of 175g/km. The CVT model’s fuel consumption is also claimed to be lower, at 7.4l/100km, with carbon emissions of 178g/km. The figures translate into the 63l fuel tank providing an approximate driving range of around 800km.
The ASX boasts 195mm of ground clearance, ensuring that it fits the bill as a member of the crossover genre for those who spend most of their time on tarred roads but occasionally head out of town where dirt roads are likely to be the order of the day.
Whether it is the school run or a weekend away, the ASX also has to match up to its rivals when it comes to boot space. It has 442l of boot space available with the rear seats up, and when the 60/40 split rear seats are folded down, this expands to 1,193l.
In terms of safety, it has received five stars in tests by both EuroNCAP and Australian NCAP thanks to seven airbags (including a driver’s knee airbag), ABS with EBD and brake assist, as well as Mitsubishi’s Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution body construction, whiplash-mitigating seats, a collapsible steering column and brake pedal recession protection. The electric power steering also features an anti-backlash system.
All models feature quite an extensive spec list with some models featuring a Rockford Fosgate sound system.
The ASX will definitely have its work cut out for it to compete in an ever increasing segment, however it has done well to prove its worth in recent years and while many will continue to opt for such models as the Qashqai, Kuga and even the larger Kia Sportage, it seems
to have already found its fans
Pricing
ASX 2.0 GL R299,900 ASX 2.0 GLX R329,900 ASX 2.0 GLS R342,900 ASX 2.0 GLS CVT R354,900