Mitsubishi will unveil a new seven-seater SUV at the Philippines Auto Show later this month. The details of the new seven-seater are far from revealed in the picture. However, it does hint that the new seven-seater might be a derivative of the XForce five-seater SUV.
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The aesthetics of the vehicle are somewhat similar to the XForce. However, there are a few distinct design features. The headlight is similar to that of the XForce but has a Y-pattern and a more aggressive bumper.
However, key details with regard to this new SUV’s engine specs, features, and variant list remain under wraps but are probably the same as the XForce SUV. The XForce SUV is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine churning out 103 hp and 141 Nm of peak torque. Mitsubishi has kept only a CVT automatic on the XForce. This five-seater SUV, being front-wheel-drive, boasts four driving modes – Normal, Wet, Gravel, and Mud.
The XForce is a smart-looking, feature-loaded SUV. The top-of-the-line GT trim is packed to the gills: There’s a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a semi-digital instrument cluster with an 8-inch display. You get ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless smartphone charging, USB Type-A and Type-C charging ports, among other things. The XForce is also loaded with safety features.
For the GT trim, six airbags and an advanced driver assistance tech suit can be expected, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation system, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Mitsubishi discontinued its range in India back in 2020 with BS6 emission regulations coming into force. The Japanese company, however, hasn’t spelt out any details about re-entering the Indian market. Thus, on the lines of the XForce SUV, the new seven-seater will remain restricted to the ASEAN countries and won’t touch the Indian shores, at least in the near future.
Mitsubishi SUV concept: what does the teaser say?
A teaser preview of the general form of the SUV reveals that it resembles an XL version of the XForce sold in other markets such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and a few other ASEAN countries. The XL version of XForce will be Mitsubishi’s response to Creta in said markets. It would have posed a serious fight to the Japanese automobile brand’s Alcazar model.
This New SUV will look largely similar to the XForce but will have its styling bits and of course, a stretched wheelbase as the main differentiators.
On the inside, the new seven-seater SUV will carry forward the XForce’s dashboard and feature list with a few add-ons. The XForce offers a 12.3-inch touch infotainment screen, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 8-speaker sound system that Yamaha has developed as part of its collaboration with Mitsubishi. Multiple USB ports and smartphone holders are also on offer, along with a wireless charger. Its rear seats are also foldable to provide ample reclining.
The new SUV will come with the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that also produces 105hp and 141Nm of torque in the XForce. It gets a CVT automatic gearbox as standard and comes with four drive modes: Normal, Wet, Gravel, and Mud.
Will Mitsubishi bring the SUV to India?
Though it is a part of the Renault-Nissan global alliance, there is no official word on Mitsubishi’s possible comeback to India. The brand is currently focused on emerging markets like Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Renault and Nissan, the other sister brands of Mitsubishi, are doing well in the Indian market with Renault Kiger, Triber, and Nissan Magnite. Next year, the all-new Duster and its Nissan variant will come on board, along with their seven-seater variants.
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