Mitsubishi ASX VR-e introduced to keep the Lancer Evolution legacy alive
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Mitsubishi ASX VR-e has been introduced to help keep the Lancer Evolution legacy alive in “some form”, according to a company executive.
According to automotive publication Drive on Saturday, the top-specification 2027 Mitsubishi ASX VR-e GSR, due to launch in November 2026, is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia chief executive Shunichi Kihara said the electric SUV was not the final tribute to the Lancer Evolution. He said the company would seek to preserve the Evo legacy “in some form”.
“Clearly, our brand heritage is associated with the Pajero and Evo, and many people are still talking about both products,” he said.
“That doesn’t mean we won’t make an Evo-type vehicle. That’s why we’re bringing out the high-performance VR-e,” Kihara said.
The Mitsubishi ASX VR-e will be available in four variants in the Australian market, although pricing has yet to be announced.
All four variants use a 57.7 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, with DC fast-charging capability of up to 134 kW.
The LS, Aspire and Exceed variants have a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, producing 171 kW and 350 Nm of torque.
The range-topping ASX VR-e GSR adds an electric motor to the front axle, doubling output to 342 kW and 700 Nm of torque.
In Sport mode, the GSR’s torque distribution shifts from 50:50 to 30:70 between the front and rear wheels.
However, the distribution returns to an even balance when the accelerator is fully pressed, as the front and rear motors produce the same peak power.
“On a twisty section of road, that mode gives the car a more rear-wheel-drive character, making it quite fun and exciting to drive,” said Tim Clarke, product manager at Mitsubishi Australia.
As part of the development process, the dampers were retuned, while the bump stops and electric power steering were adjusted for Australian road conditions. The suspension springs may also be revised.
Kihara said the company recognised market demand for the return of high-performance models.
Mitsubishi president and chief operating officer Keisuke Kishiura described the Evo and Galant as “treasures”.
At a shareholders’ meeting in Tokyo in June 2026, he said the company wanted to retain the capability to make great cars with the character of the Lancer Evolution.
The last Lancer Evolution saloon sold in Australia was the Evolution X Final Edition, which arrived in late 2015.