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- Exterior enhancements up style factor
- Revised CVT improves fuel economy
- ASX success set to continue in South Africa
20 JANUARY 2015 - The Mitsubishi ASX compact crossover is tackling the 2015 model year with a number of design and equipment updates, enhancing value and keeping in line with market trends.
Born out of core Mitsubishi brand values including reliability, integrity and practicality, the ASX (Active Smart Crossover) now features an enhanced, sleeker exterior look matched by an improved centre console design with a more upmarket feel on the inside.
All derivatives benefit from new black roof rails, chrome highlights inside and out, tinted windows and emergency stop signal brake lights. On GLX and GLS derivatives, new LED daytime running lights highlight redesigned front fog lamp surrounds, and new 17-inch alloy wheels add pizzazz to the side profile.
A bold new Lightning Blue paint hue is also available, allowing the striking design to be further exhibited. On the mechanical side, an updated CVT system enhances driveability and lowers fuel consumption in the automatic model.
“The ASX represented a new market for the Mitsubishi brand when we originally launched it in South Africa in 2011, where our renowned SUV roots could be experienced by a new buying audience for the brand,” comments Mitsubishi Motors South Africa COO, Wynand Pretorius.
“ASX has done well for us and with the 2015 model year enhancements, is set to continue to competitively attract younger, more upwardly-mobile buyers to our brand – it’;s a vehicle which possesses the SUV appeal and driving style valued so highly by South Africans, wrapped in the compact proportions and easy-to-drive nature most commonly experienced in compact hatchbacks.”
Pricing on the 2015 Mitsubishi ASX models remains ultimately competitive as well, and in the United States, the ASX has been named as one of the authoritative Kelley Blue Book’;s ’;10 Most Affordable SUVs’;.
ASX virtues continue unabated
Continuing as a 5-model range, the ASX line-up features GL, GLX and GLS derivatives, all powered by Mitsubishi’;s trusted 2.0-litre normally-aspirated petrol engine. The multi-point fuel injection MPi unit produces 110 kW at 6 000 rpm and 197 Nm at 4 200 rpm.
All derivatives are front-wheel drive, 3 of which feature a 5-speed manual gearbox, alongside the 2 range-topping GLS automatics which feature a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) which has the ability to simulate a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
For 2015, the CVT in particular has received extra attention. The most notable technical design change was made to CVT internals, where a larger-spectrum lock-up range provides for greater driving pleasure and enhanced fuel economy due to the bigger selection of theoretical ‘gear ratios’; available to the driver in auto mode, adaptive to driver input and driving style. As with the existing CVT derivative, manual shift mode is available, allowing the driver to manually override the transmission with 6 simulated gear ratios. NVH reduction has also been achieved with the new CVT.
Fuel economy is admirable on all derivatives, the manual models realising an average of 7.5-litres per 100 km on the combined cycle with carbon emissions of 175 g/km. The CVT model’;s fuel consumption is now lower at 7.4-litres per 100 km, with carbon emissions of 178 g/km. A 63-litre fuel tank ensures long driving ranges – around 800 km on typical mixed driving.
Embodying SUV design and practicality, the Mitsubishi ASX has excellent visibility for the driver and great agility with 195 mm of ground clearance available. The raised ground clearance means the ASX is equally at home on tarred city roads as well as out-of-town dirt roads, where superior ride comfort also contributes to a can-do attitude, thanks to the suspension design. Front suspension is an independent MacPherson setup with a stabiliser bar, and at the rear a multi-link independent system is employed, along with a stabiliser bar. The suspension configuration results in reduced NVH levels being achieved as well as a smoother ride.
Conducive to holiday trips as much as being expertly practical for the school run, the ASX features a spacious boot with a large, uninhibited opening for easy loading, with 442 litres of boot space available with the rear seats up. When the 60/40 split rear seats are folded down, a total of 1 193 litres are available.
The roomy cabin also features generous head- and leg room for all occupants, as well as ample storage compartments for ultimate practicality.
High specifications for all model grades
All ASX derivatives maintain high levels of standard specification, enhanced for 2015. Most importantly, the Mitsubishi hallmark of no compromise on safety sees all models featuring high safety levels.
The ASX features 5-star Euro NCAP and ANCAP safety ratings thanks to 6 airbags (including a driver’;s knee airbag), ABS with EBD and BAS, as well as Mitsubishi’;s Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body construction, whiplash-mitigating seats, a collapsible steering column and brake pedal recession protection. The electric power steering also features an anti-backlash system for smoother and safer steering control.
All ASX derivatives, from the entry level GL to the range topping GLS, are full specification SUVs – perfect for the family. The list of standard specifications is impressive – even for the entry level GL version.
The ASX 2.0 GL’;s feature highlights include dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, LED tail lights, a rear spoiler, front fog lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels with 215/65 tyres, electric windows all round, electric folding side mirrors, a multi-function leather-bound steering wheel with rake and reach adjustment, manual air conditioning, cruise control, a multi-info trip computer, rear parking sensors, remote central locking and a 6-speaker multi-media audio system which includes CD, radio and USB support as well as Bluetooth and voice control.
The mid-range Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 GLX features enhanced specifications on top of standard GL equipment, including the new LED daytime running lights, new 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/60 tyres, a panoramic glass roof with switchable LED illumination, leather upholstery, electric driver’;s seat adjustment, heated front seats, automatic climate control, heated side mirrors, touch screen radio, a reversing camera and a keyless operation system with one-touch start.
The range-topping ASX 2.0 GLS models raise the bar even higher with the addition of HID headlamps (CVT derivatives only), an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, integrated lights on the side mirrors, Active Stability Control and Electronic Traction Control, and Hill Start Assist for inclined pull-offs. In typical Mitsubishi tradition, the GLS manual is also available as standard with a fully-fledged 9-speaker Rockford Fosgate premium audio system – available as an option on the CVT.
All derivatives in the Mitsubishi ASX range come standard with a 3-year/ 100 000 km warranty and a 5-year/ 90 000 km service plan, linked to service intervals of 15 000 km.
| 2015 Mitsubishi ASX | Retail price incl. VAT |
| ASX 2.0 GL | R299 900 |
| ASX 2.0 GLX | R329 900 |
| ASX 2.0 GLS with Rockford Fosgate | R342 900 |
| ASX 2.0 GLS CVT | R354 900 |
| ASX 2.0 GLS CVT with Rockford Fosgate | R364 900 |
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