Mitsubishi revives iconic VR nameplate with Pininfarina-designed, Taiwanese made ASX

Mitsubishi has re-introduced its performance-focused VR moniker on its new all-electric ASX VR-e hatchback, which packs up to 400bhp and has an optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrain in top-spec form.

Meaning ‘Viscous Realtime’, the VR badge was introduced on the hot version of the Japanese firm’s four-wheel-drive Galant VR-4 saloon, which was manufactured from 1987 to 2002.

However, this latest VR model – the ASX VR-e – is an electric crossover, and is based on the lesser-spotted, Pininfarina-penned Taiwanese Foxtron Bria. Before this latest iteration, the ASX was first launched in 2010 as a family SUV.

The differences between the Mitsubishi and the Foxtron are negligible. The front-end gets a new headlight design, along with Mitsubishi badging. The lower grille boasts active shutters to reduce drag or improve cooling depending on the driving conditions. At the same time, a Ferrari Luce-esque S-duct in the nose directs airflow over the bonnet.

Around the back, the rear has undergone a series of small tweaks to separate it from the Foxtron, and inside, the changes are also minimal.

The Mitsubishi ASX VR-e will be offered exclusively to the Australian and New Zealand markets, and it is unlikely to make its way to Europe or elsewhere. In Australia, entry-level LS, mid-tier Aspire and Exceed, plus range-topping GSR models are set to be available, while LS, XLS, Exceed and GSR trims are poised for New Zealand.

Across the range, the Bria’s 57.5kWh battery is standard and can offer up to 321 miles of range on China’s lenient CLTC efficiency cycle. The battery has a maximum charging speed of 134kW.

Base and mid-spec cars are rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and have 229bhp, but in GSR guise, the ASX packs 400bhp and 516 pounds-feet of torque courtesy of a twin-motor, AWD powertrain. Here, the the 0-62mph sprint is managed in under four seconds.

Overall, the Mitsubishi ASX stands out as somewhat of an anomaly, given that the brand is part of the three-way Alliance with Renault and Nissan. Before the tie-up with Foxtron, the previous generation ASX was based on the Renault Captur.

Following several years of absence due to poor sales, Mitsubishi has returned to the UK with two new models, the Outlander plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and the electric-only Renault Megane-based Eclipse Cross.