New Mitsubishi Compact Crossover Unveiled – Launching on Aug 10

After several teasers, Mitsubishi has finally unveiled its new compact crossover model to the world. While we get to see the new car with no camo drapes, the marque has yet to unveil the name of this new model, which is touted to be the ASX’s successor.

Rumours indicated that this new crossover will be known as the ‘Destinator’ in the Indonesian market, as suggested by a trademark application made by Mitsubishi. But nonetheless, this new crossover appears to look somewhat similar to the XFC Concept that it was based on, combining “elegance and robustness”.

At the front, the new model sports a new take on Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield front face design, featuring LED headlights with distinctive T-shaped DRL signature illumination. Said lamps are flanking the new model’s front grille, which comes with chunky dash inserts, adding some ruggedness to this futuristic-looking crossover.

Unlike the XFC Concept, this final production model comes with conventional door handles and side mirrors, while its roofline remains pretty much the same as the aforementioned concept model. The prominent wheel arches are mated to the 18-inch wheels the car rides on, featuring five-spoke design and dual-tone finish.

At the rear, this new model comes with chiselled tailgate, featuring roof-mounted spoiler and T-shaped LED taillights with segmented lighting elements inside them. Elsewhere, the lower part of the rear bumper comes with faux diffuser and skid plate – both matching with the ones found at the front bumper.

Unlike many modern compact crossovers, this new model features class-leading ground clearance of 222 MM, which allows some light off-roading. Compared to its segment rivals, this new model measures 4,390 MM long, 1,810 MM wide, and 1,660 MM tall – making it slightly larger than the Honda HR-V, which measures 4,330 MM long, 1,790 MM wide and 1,590 MM tall. Aptly, this puts the new model comfortably in the B-segment SUV category.

As for its powertrain specs, this new model employs a1.5-litre engine, with Mitsubishi not mentioning its cylinder numbers and layouts, as well as the types of induction used. However, at least we know that it’ll be mated to a CVT gearbox that helps in sending drive to its front wheels (FWD). 

While the absence of an all-wheel drive (AWD) system might frustrate few off-roading enthusiasts out there, at least the new model comes with four selectable driving modes – Normal, Wet, Gravel, Mud. This, plus its Active Yaw Control (AYC) and aforementioned high ground clearance, makes the new model to be a promising light off-roader.

Mitsubishi’s latest compact crossover fighter is poised to make its global debut later in Aug 10 at the upcoming 2023 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). Only by then we’ll get to know this mysterious model’s true name, as well as other details that’s concealed for now…