Mitsubishi 7-seater SUV to be launched this year; next-gen Xpander, Pajero Sport coming to ASEAN

The Mitsubishi DST Concept, shown in the Philippines in October, is set to go into production this year, the Japanese carmaker has confirmed. The news was announced during the company’s presentation of its full-year financial results, in which it also announced a couple of new models for the Southeast Asian market.

Based on the Xforce B-segment SUV, the car will complement the Xpander SUV and is set to compete with rivals such as the Toyota Rush, Daihatsu Terios and Perodua Aruz triplets. With a monocoque construction, it should offer greater comfort and better handling than its body-on-frame competition.

Expect the car to utilise the same powertrains as the Xforce – either a 105 PS/141 Nm 1.5 litre 4A91 naturally-aspirated MIVEC four-cylinder engine with a CVT or a hybrid system. The latter pairs a 116 PS/255 Nm electric motor with a 95 PS/134 Nm 1.6 litre 4A92 Atkinson-cycle mill that primarily functions as a generator, but can also drive the car on its own at higher speeds through a two-speed transaxle.

Mitsubishi also confirmed that a next-generation Xpander is coming beyond 2025, likely also based on the Xforce and using the same powertrains. Expect greater sophistication and a much higher level of safety kit, including six airbags (up from just two currently) and driver assists such as autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. All this will help it better compete with the likes of the Perodua Alza, which comes with these features as standard.

Also on the cards is a next-gen Pajero Sport, which will be based on the latest third-generation Triton pick-up. It should share that truck’s aggressive Beast Mode styling, more upmarket interior and new 2.4 litre 4N16 turbodiesel. The mill is available with twin sequential turbochargers and up to 204 PS and 470 Nm of torque, mated to six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

GALLERY: Mitsubishi DST Concept

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