Mitsubishi Australia is gearing up to launch its latest automotive partnership with the ASX VR-e electric small SUV, and it's willing to expand the collaboration if that first vehicle proves successful.
The Japanese brand has partnered with Taiwanese manufacturer Foxtron to deliver its first electric vehicle (EV) in nearly 15 years, with Australia and New Zealand identified as key markets in which the VR-e needs to find success.
The VR-e is a rebadged version of the Bria, one of Foxtron's first passenger vehicles. It has since revealed others, like the larger Cavira SUV and several intriguing concepts, but Mitsubishi says it's firmly focused on the VR-e for now.
"At this moment, our project scope is basically VR-e; that’s the agreement we have," Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shunichi Kihara told media at the VR-e's first local preview.
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"We have to focus on continuing to work with them and focusing on the success of the VR-e in the short term, and after that, so far there’s nothing discussed. It depends on how much success we can deliver for ASX [VR-e].
"Basically, it’s one model at this moment. We have to focus on this product and then see what kind of potential we can have moving forward. That’s the current status."
While the VR-e will publicly launch Mitsubishi's partnership with Foxtron, the Japanese brand has long been involved in a three-way Alliance with Nissan and Renault. It already leverages that agreement to rebadge the Renault Captur as the non-electric ASX, for example.
Foxtron, meanwhile, is a relatively new brand. It was launched in 2020 as a joint venture between iPhone maker Foxconn and Taiwanese carmaker Yulon, focused primarily on producing electric cars and buses.
Mitsubishi Australia was therefore involved in the ASX VR-e's development, primarily to tune its steering, suspension, and safety system calibration to suit the Australian market. This partnership was initiated by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) in Japan.
As such, Mitsubishi Australia ASX VR-e product strategy manager Tim Clarke says the vehicle's local launch will inform the feasibility of future collaborative work with Foxtron, which would likely use learnings from the VR-e program.
"MMC is obviously watching us very closely to see how this product is received by the Australian market, and if it is a success, then that leads to further discussions," he said.
"That’s the position we’re in at the moment with this product and with our collaboration with Foxtron. They’d be very eager to have more conversations with us, and if this product is a success, then the doors will open for that."
Mitsubishi Australia has so far confirmed only preliminary specifications for the ASX VR-e, with pricing likely to be announced in the coming weeks. It'll be available in LS, Aspire, Exceed, and GSR grades, with two powertrains to feature across the lineup.
The LS, Aspire, and Exceed will be available exclusively with a single-motor, rear-wheel drive powertrain, producing 171kW of power and 350Nm of torque for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds.
Energy comes from a 57.7kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, providing a claimed WLTP driving range of up to 403km in rear-drive variants. The GSR gets the same battery, but upgrades to a more powerful dual-motor, all-wheel drive configuration.
Mitsubishi claims its 342kW and 700Nm can get it from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, making it the fastest-accelerating Mitsubishi ever sold here. Naturally, it has a reduced range claim of 328km.
For context, the Foxtron Cavira gets a larger 82.7kWh LFP battery, providing a claimed driving range of up to 578km on the WLTC test.