New 2023 Mitsubishi ASX confirmed for Europe with hybrid power, Australia unclear

An all-new Mitsubishi ASX small SUV has been confirmed for launch in Europe in early 2023, with the option of hybrid and/or plug-in hybrid power – but it remains to be seen whether Australia receives the new model.

Announced overnight, the new ASX will launch in Europe early next year – but rather than the ageing Mitsubishi-designed platform of its predecessor, it is set to be closely related to a "best-selling" Renault SUV, expected to be the city-sized Captur currently on sale in Australia.

It will be manufactured in a Renault factory, suggesting production will move to Europe – a departure from the current model, built in a Mitsubishi factory in Japan – and appears set to be available with hybrid and/or plug-in hybrid power.

Mitsubishi Australia is yet to confirm whether the new European ASX will make the journey Down Under, with a spokesperson telling Drive in a statement: "It’s currently too early to provide any local commentary in relation to the new European-market ASX and connected technology news, but these announcements point to an exciting future for the Mitsubishi brand and its role in the Alliance."

Should the new ASX only be built in Europe, the shift in location would increase shipping costs to Australia, compared to the current Japanese factory that's closer to local shores – making it harder for Mitsubishi Australia to make a business case stack up for a local launch.

Mitsubishi and Renault's media release only discuss the new model in reference to the European market, with no mention of Australia, the US or other regions.

However, the Mitsubishi ASX is the Japanese car maker's best-selling SUV in Australia, regularly topping its sales segment – and with the current model soon to enter its 13th year on sale, Mitsubishi Australia will likely be holding its hands up high for an all-new model.

A teaser image of the new Mitsubishi ASX shown alongside its announcement on Thursday night suggests it could eschew Mitsubishi's 'Dynamic Shield' front fascia in favour of a more rounded look with a central Mitsubishi badge and high-mounted LED headlights.

Keen-eyed readers will note the two bulged sections in the ASX's bonnet closely resemble those of the new Renault Captur on which it's based, as do the flared front wheel arches – suggesting the two vehicles could share bodywork, in addition to their common platforms and engine options.

While the Renault Captur wasn't officially named as the new ASX's twin under the skin, Mitsubishi CEO Takao Kato confirmed on stage the 2023 ASX would compete in the "core B-SUV segment" in Europe – a class in which Renault sells only one model in Europe, the Captur city (or 'light') SUV.

Underpinning the new Mitsubishi ASX will therefore be the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's shared CMF-B front-wheel-drive platform, also used by the Nissan Juke city SUV, Renault Arkana small SUV, and the Renault Clio and Nissan Note city cars not sold in Australia.

However, its positioning as a "B-SUV" suggests the new ASX could be smaller than its predecessor – one of the larger vehicles in the small SUV segment, at 4365mm long and 1810mm wide. The Captur, meanwhile, measures 4227mm long and 1797mm wide.

Mitsubishi has confirmed either the new ASX – or the Japanese brand's second collaboration model with Renault, due in late 2023 – will share its Renault donor's engine range, including the option of hybrid and plug-in hybrid power.

In Europe, the Renault Captur can be had in E-Tech Hybrid form, pairing a 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors for 107kW combined, and a fuel economy claim of 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres – a suitable rival for Australia's strong-selling Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid.

Meanwhile, the E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid pairs the same petrol engine with upgraded electric motors and a 9.8kWh battery for 117kW combined, and 50km of all-electric driving range.

It's worth noting Mitsubishi CEO Takao Kato confirmed on stage the two Renault-based Mitsubishi vehicles will be built alongside each other – and the only vehicle currently built in Renault's Valledolid, Spain factory is the Renault Captur, with all other CMF-B-based vehicles built elsewhere.

That means that should Mitsubishi build the new ASX alongside its Renault twin, the Japanese company's second Renault-based model would need to be manufactured in the same facility, potentially on the same platform.

"Renault and Mitsubishi Motors are collaborating to reinforce our presence in Europe by sharing two Renault platforms and powertrains, including hybrid and PHEV," CEO Takao Sato told global media.

"These vehicles will be manufactured in the same Renault plant, with the first model, [the] new ASX, to be launched in early 2023 in the core B-SUV segment. The second model will follow towards the end of 2023."

Confirmation of the new Mitsubishi ASX was announced alongside the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's future plans, which will see it adopt a 'leader-follower' model, with one brand to develop the basis of a vehicle in a particular segment "with the support of the followers, thereby allowing each member of the Alliance to access all the key technologies."

The 2023 Mitsubishi ASX is slated to go on sale in Europe early next year – suggesting sightings of the first prototypes could be mere months away – with Australian details still to be confirmed. Stay tuned to Drive for all the latest ASX news.