It had just last month launched the Pajero, which made a comeback as a luxury SUV, after a long absence. Mitsubishi now wants to wrap up 2010 with the November rollout of the ASX crossover following the introduction of the Lancer hatch last week. 

Back in July, Star Motoring was in Japan to sample the three vehicles ahead of their entry into Malaysia. We had written about the Pajero that same month and all that was left to do was to give our two-sen’s worth about the other two models. 

Hokkaido was where much of the action was taking place. Japan’s northernmost main island is pretty much its countryside, with vast nature parks, hotsprings and farmlands dotting the landscape. 

Except for Sapporo city, many of the areas we travelled to were rather rustic, the sort of places that would be a balm for frazzled nerves but city slickers would steer clear of.  

It was in this setting that we sampled some of Mitsubishi’s own at its sprawling Tokachi proving ground.  

The ASX will be launched in November.

The ASX, known as RVR in Japan, was a 2.0-litre front-wheel drive CVT and 4WD CVT. The Lancer Sportback made available were front-wheel drive cars with either a CVT or a manual gearbox. 

Cross over to ASX 

Going by what Mitsubishi execs have to say, the ASX or Active Smart Crossover is the result of meeting the global market demand for a compact SUV that is versatile yet sparing in its pollution of the environment. 

Its so-called “Smart Size” is taken to mean the softroader’s dimensions are somewhere between those of a regular SUV and those of a compact car. In other words, the in-between vehicle is neither big nor small.  

It looks like an elevated Lancer Sportback when seen from behind but still retain elegant lines. 

Based on the same platform as the Lancer and Outlander, the ASX is widely seen as just a smaller Outlander though you would think they look about the same in size. 

The ASX uses the same brakes, similar suspension, same 4WD system and many other features of the Outlander.  

Although it has the same 2,670mm wheelbase as the Outlander, the ASX has a much shorter rear overhang, a lower roofline, a more modest ground clearance of 195mm and is about 200kg lighter than the Outlander. 

The ASX with the AWD comprises selectable 2WD, 4WD and (50/50) Lock modes and an electric rear coupling that employs steering angle and wheel speed sensors to deploy engine torque front to rear, which should prove useful in wet conditions and offroad.  

The cabin is typical Mitsubishi but the dashboard and doors have been upgraded with soft touch plastics, which go a long way to give the ASX a more upscale feel. 

Its estimated RM140,000 pricing puts it in the playing field of the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Ford Escape.  

The 2.0-litre 16-valve engine with Mitsubishi’s proprietary MIVEC system has 150bhp and 197Nm of torque to lay on. Paired to an INVECS-III CVT gearbox with 6-step Sports Mode, it has more than enough tug to haul a 1,500kg body on tarmac.  

On the move, the engine provides a steady stream of performance through a wide rev range. When pushed through corners, the two-wheel drive version suffers from torque-steer, resulting in a steering that has a rather dull feel. 

Understand that a CVT is designed for fuel economy and to provide more useable power and a smoother driving experience than a traditional automatic. It simply doesn’t do well in outright burst of speed. That much was shown in the ASX, as it was put through its paces on the test circuit.  

The engine gets boisterous as you push it harder in the quest for instant gratification.  

Seconds later when the gearbox and motor meet up, the ASX gathers momentum quickly and progressively, and you don’t really feel the vehicle is lacking in power despite the CVT peculiarity. 

Come next month, the ASX to be sold in Malaysia will be fitted with equipment levels that would be considered generous in its attempt to stay competitive.  

Adding to the upmarket aspirations, the ASX will come with standard Active Stability Control (ASC), Hill Start Assist and dual front airbags plus a driver’s knee airbag.  

Also included will be leather seats, 2 DIN Wide touchscreen audio system, reverse camera, automatic air conditioning and cruise control. There is also a full colour LCD multi information system in the instrument panel. 

Lancer with a difference 

A spoiler rounds off the tail nicely.

The Lancer Sportback joins the party as a five-door, five-seater alternative to the sedan version, which up to now has done respectably in the local market. 

There’s the usual inverted slant nose and trapezoidal grille that defines the Mitsubishi Motors design identity. 

Based on the same platform as the current Lancer, the Sportback is boot-less. Instead, it comes with a sloping rear hatch that flows through to the rear bumper, resulting in a rear view that’s a tad less visible than a sedan. 

Mitsubishi seems to be very optimistic that the Sportback will do well in a country where there’s, yes, a fair number of hatches that are still largely outnumbered by sedans.  

The front is typical Lancer,  while the rear is done Sportback style.

While some people are wont to think the lower-priced Proton Inspira based on the current Lancer sedan will steal Lancer’s thunder, it’s not the case as they are in different market segments altogether. The Sportback is also a statement that differentiates the Lancer model further. 

The rear hatch defines the flexible cabin layout that’s accessed via a Smart Key entry. The door opens wide and high, maximising loading space.  

It also has a number of versatile storage options, numerous bins, door and seat pockets, consoles and stowage boxes, and a large cargo area. It even has a cargo floor height adjustable feature, which adds 90mm to the depth . Like an MPV, the rear seats can fold 60:40 to increase cargo space. 

The units we tried out in Japan were kitted up with a rear-roof spoiler, side skirts and a front lower lip. They are also fitted with 18-inch sports tyres that improve the overall look considerably. 

The Sportback’s long overhangs and heavy rear end may not be a vision of a sporty car but that’s how Mitsu plays the polarising feature. The rear spoiler, thankfully, helps to sharpen up the ample back.  

The brief stint at the Tokachi track suggests the ride and handling haven’t been undermined by this different bodystyle.  

While Japan has a 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre Sportback in FWD and 4WD versions, Malaysians are getting a meatier 2.4-litre DOHC MIVEC engine with FWD and a CVT. The advantage is obvious: more low-end power for a lot less revving. And this translates to good fuel economy with minimal engine noise.  

The 2.4-litre engine delivers 170hp, compared to the 150hp of the 2.0-litre engine, and has a maximum torque of 226Nm at 4,100rpm against the 197Nm at 4,200rpm from the 2.0-litre engine. 

The Sportback gains ASC (acceleration skid control), a feature the 2.0 Lancer doesn’t have. What the ASC does is to stabilise the vehicle while maintaining optimum traction through the regulation of engine power and the braking force at each wheel.  

The Lancer Sportback dashboard looks clean and attractive.

Taking a step beyond the previous generation Lancer Evolution, the fitting of a brake pressure sensor at each wheel allows more precise and positive control of braking force. ASC improves traction under acceleration by preventing the driving wheels from spinning on slippery surfaces. It also elevates vehicle stability by suppressing skidding in an emergency evasive maneouvre or the result of other sudden steering inputs. 

Going a few laps into corners, the Sportback shows it has low levels of body roll, a good sign for a car with sporty intent. The suspension dampens most of what the road dishes up, leading to a fairly good ride quality.  

For those who want a Lancer that stands out from the crowd, the RM133,000 Sportback is assuredly a prime candidate for consideration. More so when it’s arguably the cheapest 2.4-litre passenger car in Malaysia that comes fully imported from Japan.