New Mitsubishi ASX arrives

Mitsubishi’s new small SUV car, the new 2012 ASX, arrives in the UK this week. Labelled an ‘urban crossover vehicle’, the ASX is designed to offer the best possible choice of practical, stylish and environmentally responsible family cars.

Based on the same platform as the Outlander, Lancer and Lancer Evolution X, the ASX bridges the gap between Mitsubishi’s conventional passenger cars and its rugged off-roaders. With a wheelbase to match the Outlander, passenger space is generous, with the flexible seating inside.

Offered with a choice of petrol or diesel engines, the 2012 1.8-litre diesel engine benefits from a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions, whilst improving fuel economy. This results in a new VED band (from Band F to Band E), thus reducing the annual road tax cost to £115. Although there is no reduction in VED banding on the petrol derivative, there is an increase in braked towing capacity from 1100kg to 1200kg. The 116PS 1.8-litre DiD now achieves 54.3mpg (from 51mpg) and 136g/km (from 150g/km) on the official combined cycle, with the 1.6-litre petrol engine managing 47.1mpg (from 47.9mpg) with CO₂ emissions remaining at 139g/km.

With  low rolling resistance tyres, regenerative brakes and intelligent power management, all ASX models are geared to deliver strong fuel economy.

Safety-wise the ASX incorporates Mitsubishi’s RISE safety technology (which dissipates the energy from the impact away from the passenger compartment) as well as ABS anti-lock braking, Active Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist an Emergency Stop Signal System and 7 airbags as standard.  All of this helps the ASX achieve its 5 Star Euro NCAP rating.

Lance Bradley, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, said: “The crossover marketplace has grown rapidly over the last 18 months. The Mitsubishi ASX has helped this growth by offering a stylish, well priced, practical and enjoyable to drive contender in this marketplace.

“With the ASX delivering excellent economy and emissions, versatility, as well as comprehensive standard equipment, and not to mention the reassuring safety features, the ASX has everything the crossover buyer is after.”

Prices for the new model start from £16,499. The first allocation of ASX 1.8 DiD 4WD diesel variants are available to the Mitsubishi dealer network from mid-January, followed by the 2WD derivatives at the end of March and the petrol units in Quarter 2 2012.

Author: Faye Sunderland, January 11th, 2012
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