Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand has confirmed pricing and specifications for its new all-electric ASX VR-e, with the four-model range scheduled to arrive in dealerships this December.
The new EV lineup starts with the rear-wheel-drive LS at $57,990 plus ORC, followed by the XLS at $63,990 and Exceed at $67,990. Topping the range is the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive GSR at $72,990 plus ORC.
Despite sharing the ASX name, this new model is a dedicated electric vehicle developed through a partnership involving Taiwanese EV manufacturer Foxtron and Italian design house Pininfarina.
All models use a 57.7kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. Mitsubishi claims the entry-level LS offers up to 403km of WLTP range, while the XLS is rated at 398km and the Exceed at 380km. The flagship GSR trades some range for performance, with a claimed 328km WLTP figure.
The three rear-wheel-drive variants produce 171kW and 350Nm, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds. The GSR adds a second electric motor, boosting output to 342kW and 700Nm. Mitsubishi says that makes it the fastest production Mitsubishi sold in New Zealand, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds.
Fast charging capability is rated at up to 134kW DC, with Mitsubishi claiming a 10-80% recharge can be completed in around 30 minutes under suitable conditions. Five levels of regenerative braking and a one-pedal driving mode are also included.
Inside, every ASX VR-e receives a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and 9.2-inch digital instrument display. Higher-grade models add features including heated and ventilated seats, power-adjustable front seats, a surround-view camera system and remote parking functionality. Exceed and GSR grades also gain a panoramic glass roof, hands-free power tailgate and 12-speaker audio system.
The ASX VR-e will also be the first Mitsubishi in New Zealand to offer Mitsubishi Connect. Through a smartphone app, owners can check charging status, pre-condition the cabin, locate the vehicle, view tyre pressure information and remotely lock or unlock the doors. Over-the-air software updates are also supported.
A vehicle-to-load (V2L) function allows the battery to power external devices at up to 3.6kW through an accessory adapter, potentially useful for camping, worksites or outdoor events.
Mitsubishi backs the ASX VR-e with a five-year/130,000km vehicle warranty, a 10-year/160,000km powertrain warranty and an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty. The company says owners will also have support through its nationwide dealer network of more than 60 locations.
Pricing
| Model | Price (+ORC) |
|---|---|
| ASX VR-e LS RWD | $57,990 |
| ASX VR-e XLS RWD | $63,990 |
| ASX VR-e Exceed RWD | $67,990 |
| ASX VR-e GSR AWD | $72,990 |
The Mitsubishi ASX VR-e range will go on sale nationwide in December 2026.
My initial take? The pricing is aggressive by current EV standards, particularly the $57,990 entry point. The bigger question will be whether buyers are comfortable with Mitsubishi applying the familiar ASX badge to what is essentially an entirely new electric vehicle rather than a successor to the petrol-powered compact SUV Kiwi buyers already know.
