2027 Mitsubishi ASX VR-e. Everything We Know About Mitsubishi’s First New EV in Over a Decade Before It Launches in Australia and New Zealand.
Mitsubishi is finally returning to the EV fray with an intriguing proposition, which is set to launch in Australia and New Zealand with a surprising backstory. The new ASX VR-e is set to become the first zero-emission vehicle for the region in more than a decade, having been released after the discontinuation of the minuscule i-MiEV in 2012, and it already has a price in one of the two markets.https://www.profitableratecpmnetwork.com/jxaq6zhvc?key=9bc35af4095c0d2ee72bca89c253bf2d
Where the ASX VR-e Was Actually Made.
Despite the Mitsubishi badging and the three-diamond emblem on the front fascia, the ASX VR-e is not a Mitsubishi creation. Rather, it was developed jointly with Taiwanese Foxconn, which has been responsible for manufacturing Apple’s iPhones and iPads. More precisely, it was created by Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, a joint venture between Foxconn and Yulon Motor, and it is based on the Foxtron Bria EV concept. This concept was also styled by none other than Pininfarina, the legendary Italian design house responsible for supercars and executive vehicles from Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and Volvo, among other brands. Adsterra ad'
Apart from the badging and the subtle differences in the LED lighting signatures, the rest of the front bumper and headlights appear to be taken from the concept. The car also appears to use active air vents, air curtains, and an “S-Duct” design that channels the air to reduce drag, which suggests that there is aerodynamic tuning from Pininfarina. According to Mitsubishi, the collaboration helped the company to deliver a competitive EV faster than it would have been able to do in isolation.
Furthermore, the company notes that the independent tuning of the suspension has been done in Australia to maximize the capability on local roads.
As far as the name is concerned, VR-e references the high-performance Galant VR-4, a front-wheel-drive hot hatch that was sold in Australia from 1990 to 1993. Meanwhile, the electric ASX VR-e has nothing to do with its current petrol-powered namesake, which is set to continue its sales in parallel with the new EV.
Size, Design, and Efficiency
With the length of 4,315 mm and the wheelbase of 2,800 mm, the new Mitsubishi ASX VR-e is only slightly smaller than the rival Kia EV3. The aerodynamic design and features mentioned above contribute to the drag coefficient of just 0.26, which is right in line with other competitive electric vehicles. Inside, the car features a 9.2-inch digital dashboard display, a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, and a unique LED lighting panel that stretches across the fascia and the windshield. The car also offers heated and ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, a wireless phone charger, and a panoramic glass roof, depending on the grade and the market.
Batteries, Range, and Performance
A 57.7 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack powers the car, and it is capable of DC fast charging at up to 134 kW. As such, a conservative 10-80 percent charge only takes 30 minutes. The standard single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version utilizes a 171 kW/350 Nm electric motor and has a driving range rated between 380 km and 403 km on the WLTP test cycle. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds.
At the top end of the spectrum, the GSR grade uses a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain with an astonishing 342 kW and 700 Nm of torque, allowing it to launch from standstill to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. For comparison’s sake, the claimed acceleration figure of the Holden Commodore SS is between 5.1 and 5.5 seconds. As expected, the increased performance comes at the expense of driving range, which is reduced to 328 km for the flagship GSR grade on the same WLTP test cycle.
New Zealand Prices Have Been Revealed.
Although the Australian prices are yet to be announced, those in New Zealand provide a fair indication of what to expect on the other side of the border. The single-motor ASX VR-e LS starts from NZ$57,990 before on-road costs, while the range-topping dual-motor GSR flagship tops out at NZ$72,990 plus on-road costs. In total, there are four trim levels available in New Zealand, including LS, XLS, Exceed, and GSR.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia’s CEO, Shunichi Kihara, was clear about his expectations for the new electric car in Australia. He noted that the ASX VR-e would not be positioned as a value-for-money option, given the announced prices. He also mentioned that buyers should not expect to buy the cheapest possible car in Australia, with the brand promoting an alternative approach to value. He also noted that buyers would be able to experience the value of ownership when purchasing the ASX VR-e. As such, the LS, Exceed, and GSR grades would utilize slightly different trim levels in Australia, with the XLS renamed to Aspire.
When Is It Coming?
The Mitsubishi ASX VR-e is set to launch in Australia and New Zealand during the fourth quarter of 2026 (October to December). It comes at a particularly opportune time for Mitsubishi, which is set to benefit from the shift toward electric powertrains. More precisely, electric powertrains have overtaken petrol, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants as the most preferred form of propulsion among Australians.
As mentioned, the ASX VR-e is only one half of Mitsubishi’s plan for 2026, which also includes a refreshed Pajero. As such, it is a crucial step for the brand, which has struggled to sell vehicles in Australia in recent years.
Final Thoughts
The Mitsubishi ASX VR-e represents an unusual but pragmatic return to the electric vehicle market for the brand, which has opted to rely on Taiwanese engineering and Italian design rather than developing an in-house solution. With compelling range figures and acceleration figures on the flagship grade, and a price to be announced shortly, the ASX VR-e will be a competitive force in the local electric car market.
FAQs
Who actually makes the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e?
The ASX VR-e is based on the Foxtron Bria EV concept, which was created by Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, a joint venture between electronics manufacturer Foxconn and local Yulon Motor. The design of the car is courtesy of Italian Pininfarina.
What is the driving range of the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e?
The single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version offers a range between 380 km and 403 km on the WLTP test cycle. On the same cycle, the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version offers a range of 328 km.
How fast is the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e?
The single-motor version can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, while the dual-motor flagship GSR grade can do the same in 3.9 seconds.
How much does the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e cost?
The cheapest single-motor ASX VR-e LS costs from NZ$57,990 before on-road costs for the base LS trim, rising to NZ$72,990 plus on-road costs in New Zealand, while the local prices in Australia are yet to be announced.
When does the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e go on sale?
The launch of the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e is set for the fourth quarter of 2026 in both New Zealand and Australia.
Is the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e related to the regular Mitsubishi ASX?
Not in the slightest. The regular ASX petrol-powered car has nothing to do with the ASX VR-e electric vehicle, which shares neither components nor architecture with the current ASX model. The latter is based on the Renault Captur and will continue to be sold in parallel with the ASX VR-e.
How fast can the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e charge?
The car supports DC fast charging at up to 134 kW, which allows for a conservative 10-80 percent charge in just 30 minutes.https://www.profitableratecpmnetwork.com/jxaq6zhvc?key=9bc35af4095c0d2ee72bca89c253bf2d
#MitsubishiASX #MitsubishiEV #ASXVRe #ElectricSUV #EVAustralia #EVNewZealand #Foxtron #Pininfarina #ElectricCars2026 #MitsubishiMotors #NewEV #EVLaunch #CompactEV #CarNews2026 #ElectricVehicles
Ford's F-150 Lightning: The Electric Truck America Didn't Know they Needed
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
