Mitsubishi Teases New 7-Seat SUV Concept For ASEAN, Debuts This Month

Mitsubishi has teased an upcoming new concept 7-seat crossover SUV destined for ASEAN markets.

Whilst gearing up to introduce its new third-gen Triton pick-up truck locally, Japanese automaker Mitsubishi is also poised to debut a brand new 7-seat SUV concept. Best of all is that this new concept previews an upcoming new ASEAN-specific model too.

Apart from the snazzy images released, the Japanese tri-diamond marque hasn’t shed too much details apart from confirming its statuses as both a concept 7-seat crossover SUV type vehicle and a made-for-ASEAN product. Nevertheless, there’s still much to gauge here.

Set to debut at this month’s Philippines International Motor Show 2024 (PIMS 2024), speculation is rife that the concept will adopt the 'Pajero Sport' nameplate. Moreover, the choice market for its debut also provided some strong hints.

This teaser of the new concept's front end shows off strong hints of the XForce compact crossover, likely suggesting it could be based on which.

In a recent report by PH-based motoring portal AutoIndustriya, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines’ president and CEO Ritsu Imeda noted that the Philippines was chosen for the new concept’s debut due to said neighbouring nation’s growing importance to Mitsubishi’s global operations.

"This new concept reflects Mitsubishi Motors’ vision of delivering top quality vehicles to the ASEAN region, and we are thrilled that this will be showcased for the first time in the Philippines,” added the exec further when speaking with AutoIndustriya.

From the images, it’s evidently clear that the new concept takes heavy design inspiration from the XForce model – Mitsubishi’s compact crossover SUV rival against the Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross. Key amongst which are the T-shaped LED head- and taillights, bonnet contour, and rear fender flares.

Also inspired by the XForce is this concept's upright and thick C-pillars.

This traits alone warrant suspicion that the new concept could be a new derivative based on the XForce model mentioned, albeit one that’s been stretched to accommodate a three-row seating layout. Notable here too is the Outlander-styled grille and the thick upright C-pillars.

Should said suspicion pan out as described, then Mitsubishi has perhaps readied itself direct competitor against the Honda BR-V – another ASEAN-specific 7-seat crossover SUV-type offering. Otherwise, your guess is as good as our for now.

The HR-V- and Corolla Cross-rivalling Mitsubishi XForce pictured. Would you fancy a larger 7-seat redux of which based on the teasers?

Given the stellar reception of the 7-seat offerings like the recently refreshed Xpander, we won’t discount the possibility of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) gearing itself up to induct this concept’s eventual production version for sale in the local market.

We’ll have more details on this concept once it debuts at PIMS 2024 which takes place from Oct 24 to 27 in the Philippine’s capital of Manila. In the meantime, what do you folks reckon then? Fancy a larger-sized derivative of the XForce? Hit the comments below, and our social media pages…