Mitsubishi XR-PHEV II Concept: A Preview Of The Next-Gen ASX?

In 2013, Mitsubishi introduced its XR-PHEV concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. At the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, they brought along an updated version of that concept. This is the Mitsubishi XR-PHEV II concept and it could serve as a preview for the next generation Mitsubishi ASX.

The company has made alterations to the exterior with revised headlights, grille, and skid plate. Along the sides, the concept now has wing mirrors and has included a small window in the C-pillar. The blackened A-pillar in the previous concept has also been omitted.

At the rear, a diffuser now takes its place of the previous aluminium bumper and a see-through tailgate blends in with the sharp aggressive cuts on the vehicle.

Moving into the cabin, the original concept has now been replaced with a whole new, almost production ready one. With a cockpit-style layout, there are three displays – one for the instruments one for the air-conditioning, infotainment, and the final to display data on the vehicle’s plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Yes, the PHEV stands for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and in its previous iteration, a turbocharged 1.1-litre three-cylinder engine and 120 kW electric motor pairing was in place. In the XR-PHEV II, Mitsubishi say that its new PHEVE system is designed for use in front-engine/front-drive models and comprises of a MIVEC engine, a new electric motor/generator and a new power drive unit.

No mention was made as to MIVEC engine used but the 120 kW electric motor with a 12 kWh battery capacity can be found. The powertrain is capable of running in all electric mode and can call upon the petrol engine to recharge the car’s battery pack.

Interestingly enough, the Mitsubishi XR-PHEV II’s dimensions (4,490 mm length x 1,890 mm width x 1,620 mm height) are just a little larger than that of the current Mitsubishi ASX (4,295 mm length x 1,770 mm length x 1,615 mm length) but they both share the same wheelbase of 2,670 mm. Whether or not this points to what the next generation ASX could come to resemble, we’ll have to wait and see.