Less than two weeks before its official global debut at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation pulled the covers off its all-new compact crossover.
The yet unnamed B-segment SUV stays true to the XFC Concept’s exterior design. The “Silky & Solid” design concept results in a stylish yet powerful SUV design that combines elegance and robustness. The upper part of the body is meant to look visually light, while the lower part adopts a solid and powerful proportions. Key features include a top-class ground clearance of 222 mm while 18-inch alloy wheels and “large diameter tires” enhance its handling.
Measuring in at 4,390 mm in length, 1,810 mm in width, and 1,660 mm in height, it is squarely in the same category as the Toyota Yaris Cross, Honda HR-V, and the Nissan Kicks. That said, Mitsubishi has opted for a more conventional powertrain: a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder mated to a CVT. Having said that, this new B-SUV has been designed with ASEAN roads in mind with driver adjustable driving modes (including a dedicated Wet Mode) and even Active Yaw Control.
At the front, the trademark Dynamic Shield front face has been evolved in line with the design concept. The design has now been extended to the bumpers that are made to “protect” the front grille. This results in a face that projects a sense of depth. The LED daytime running lights, meanwhile, combine into an L-shape with slitted accents. Illuminated, it turns on in a T-shape making it instantly recognizable as a Mitsubishi while emphasizing its stance.
Onto the sides, the B-SUV has sculpted fender flares and character lines to express the strength and dynamism of the SUV. At the back, it gets the same T-shaped design for the LED taillights as the front.
Inside, it will come with a premium sound system co-developed with the help of Yamaha. The Dynamic Sound Yamaha Premium, as the sound system is officially called, offers special tuning for the acoustic characteristics of the new SUV. This will help it deliver an immersive sound experience making rides more comfortable and enjoyable for those on board. Infotainment duties will be handled by a large free-standing tablet-like screen.
Mitsubishi has confirmed that the all-new B-segment SUV will be built at Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia with delivery to start in November 2023 for the Indonesian market first.
This needs an HEV variant as the yaris cross has one. Also, props to them it actually looks like the xfc concept, at least from what I remember. Just hope it has buttons inside unlike the concept.
ReplyDeleteWe still can't tell if it's actually similar to XFC concept. The image above is still a graphic model, not the actual unit. To compete with Yaris, I agree it needs to have HEV variant. At least Nissan Kicks and this will be the direct competitor to Yaris cross.
DeleteIt's actually real, you can check the Indonesian review (although only the exterior to be allowed to review)
Deletehuh, no panoramic roof, one of the fancy trifecta gone
ReplyDeleteNo panoramic roof in our climate setting is actually acceptable. Iwas headache if the unit comes to age.
Delete^ Thats what buyers in this segment want though, heavy on tech and features, as confirmed by Sir Uly. Not sure what the trifecta is but if toyota, who is stingy on features, gave yaris cross a pano roof, then this one, as an all new, should have one too. Or maybe mitsu thinks the sound system is cool enough to attract buyers, hmmm.
DeleteYung mga naghahanap ng sunroof, yan ang mga buyers na walang alam sa sasakyan.
DeleteHello! Disconnect and comment mo ang layo......
DeleteTalagang walang alam ito.
DeletePanoramic roofs also eats away the headroom, maybe Mitsubishi was considering that as well
Deleteit could have been better if the design of newly launched strada is similar to this dynamic shield with bulkier front and grille....
ReplyDeleteIt's confirmed to be based on the Xpander platform which worries me. The Xpander platform was not designed for 6 airbags, active safety, etc, so I wonder if these very basic features will make it to the production model of XFC.
ReplyDeleteHere is a quote from Mitsubishi global vice president of product development, Hiroshi Nagaoka (I got this from an Australian automotive publication)
"The XFC concept … is based on the current Xpander [people mover] platform that's really focused on ASEAN [South-East Asian] markets and some other countries, but not Australia, New Zealand or those developed countries. So honestly speaking, some of the equipment – electrical equipment, [electrical] architecture and so on – it's not enough to comply with Australian regulations. If we want to comply with Australian regulations or other countries like the United States or Europe, we need to significantly modify those components or even the architecture itself"
This is the kind of standard that this SUV will achieve, even Mitsubishi themselves admit to the product's shortcomings and lack of substance. It has an outdated electrical architecture that is already common in the industry, even Chinese crossovers at a lower category will have these features.
I consider mitsubishi a loser brand. Loser in the sense that its not popular in 1st world countries.
ReplyDeleteYes, as given how Mitsubishi Motors already withdrew from the British and Irish markets two years ago (2011) means even after Mitsubishi merged with Nissan (2016) in line with renaming the "Renault-Nissan Alliance" as "Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance", it seems that Nissan's interest in Mitsubishi after Carlos Ghosn left the building in 2018 instead didn't help Nissan and even Mitsubishi themselves either - especially with Mitsubishi a very, very slow seller in all of Europe (even after leaving the UK/Ireland) and U.S./Canada means that Nissan's QUEST to emulate Toyota and Honda (not to mention Mazda in addition) in sales globally instead went downhill either... (By surprise Renault and its Romanian Dacia sibling earns earned more sales in their respective and key regions of Europe and North Africa so it seems the "Alliance" between Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi only made itself laughable unlike how Toyota does with itself thanks to owning Subaru, Mazda, Suzuki and even Isuzu...)
DeleteLooks like the production version stayed true to the concept. I'm pretty sure that a hybrid won't be immediately available after the launch but hopefully it's coming down the road. I also really like that Mitsubishi has done away with the horrendous overuse of chrome in their past vehicles, resulting to a much cleaner look. I'm also glad it doesn't adapt the black top trend because the way this design currently is suits a body-colored roof instead of the black top trend.
ReplyDeleteBut based on the pictures, there seems to be no radar up front, no camera up front or side mirrors (no 360 cam) and also no front parking sensors. The competition for tech in this class is very strong, but Mitsu seems to be playing it weak. And knowing that Mitsubishi PH opted to use the 4-speed auto for the new Xpander instead of the CVT, we might see that also to be the case when this new SUV comes to the Philippines, downgraded to 4-speed auto instead of the CVT that other markets get. I also bet that it will have rear drum brakes like the Strada and Xpander. Not looking good in my book.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Mitsubishi is late into the game.
ReplyDeleteNothing new to this brand. Mitsu had long product cycles and is slow to market. There seems to be a struggle to find a location where to import it from. Nice if plans for local production will shift to this XFC, not just platform mate Xpander.
DeleteThese may cause only new troubles for Mitsu. But i'm ok on the passive tech. Like if they upgrade to more SRS bags,(which is already a norm even for entry vehicles) not just 2, all disc brakes or touchscreen audio. Not worries on eating into Xpander's market as this is 7 seater to which XFC is just a 5 Str. Those engines from PRC offerings of course are way higher though.
ReplyDeleteFor me, Mitsu should upgrade their 1.5L to 120+HP at least. Just to have an edge over fellow slow pokes like Toyota Veloz, Suzuki XL-7. And to be at par with Honda BR-V and Hyundai Stargazer/X. No contest vs China's engine offerings. No need yet for active tech niceties. These may cause only new troubles for Mitsu. But i'm ok on the passive tech. Like if they upgrade to more SRS bags,(which is already a norm even for entry vehicles) not just 2 but 6, all disc brakes, touchscreen audio or bumper sensors. Not worries on eating into Xpander's market as this is 7 seater to which XFC is just a 5 Str.
ReplyDeleteHas anybody did a dyno on the actual power output of the chinese engines?
ReplyDeleteHas anybody did a dyno on the actual power output of the chinese engines?
ReplyDelete