Check Out This Mitsubishi Xpander Bodykit by Speedline Industries
When it comes to Mitsubishi Motors rally cars, we wonder what happened to them all. We had a whole series on “Mitsubishi Sports Cars from the Past”, starting with the Galant-AMG back when AMG was still taking orders from other automakers (not Mercedes-Benz), and covering the likes of the Mitsubishi Colt, Mitsubishi Eclipse, and a special edition on some Mitsubishi sports cars that didn’t last very long. Speaking of short-lasting special editions, a Mitsubishi XPander for the rally car treatment by Speedline Industries in Malaysia, and although not many changes took place past appearances, this one-off is rally race ready.
It’s always a little interesting to see what aftermarket companies can do to take a regular vehicle and turn it into something special. That’s what Speedline did with the three-row crossover, the Mitsubishi Xpander. Doesn’t sound familiar? We don’t blame any readers for not knowing of the Xpander crossover. Predominantly sold in Southeast Asia, plus several Latin American, African and Middle Eastern markets, we won’t be seeing this “multipurpose vehicle” in the states. One-and-done, Speedline took the Xpander and tuned it up to mimic Mitsubishi Ralliart, the aftermarket organization that sells products and components consumers can purchase to give their Mitsubishi Motors vehicle a boost.
The Misubishi Xpander is currently a hit overseas, known as the AP4 rallycar in Indonesia since 2020. Prior to this, the Xpander Cross was released in 2019, following sales that put the Mitsubishi Motors model as the fourth best-selling globally for the automaker in 2018 and 2019. Wondering what it would look like as an Evolution model, Speedline made some motorsport-inspired changes to Xpander features with a number of visual modifications. Interestingly enough, this Evo mod isn’t based on the AP4, but the original 2017 Xpander model. Probably for the bragging rights – where’s the challenge in taking an already rally race ready vehicle and modifying it with Evo style?
Working with a custom bodykit, the front fascia gets a sports car treatment with a prominent front splitter, new bezels for the lower headlights, a roof-mounted scoop, extended side sills, and wide fender flares. All of this gets a glossy-black treatment for a premium look, and it all rides on 10-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in performance tires. The suspension seems to have been lowered to help with the high center of gravity an MPV would naturally have, and in the rear, a massive rear wing, likening to a spoiler. Strictly for looks, the rear wing and diffuser don’t seem to be functional, or practical. The customization by Speedline may have overreached here, but reminds us of Mitsubishi’s rich motorsport heritage with red, gray, and black graphics on a white body.
As mentioned, the appearances are the main changes. Keeping the naturally aspirated 1.5-liter unit engine able to generate 103 horsepower, these specs don’t come close to the AP4 rally car, outfitted with an Evo X-sourced powertrain – a modified turbocharged 1.6-liter engine able to generate 350 horsepower – and comes with an all-wheel drive system. This Xpander mod is all Evo looks without the bite, which is probably why it will stay as a one-off. However, for anyone looking for a similar bodykit with a new grille, bumper extensions, extra LEDs, and faux exhaust pipes, Speedline Industries may be hard to track down, but we’re sure Ralliart has something similar to offer, and not just for an overseas model.
Want to know more about Mitsubishi Motors rally race days? Read up on our Mitsubishi Sports Cars from the Past series and learn about the automaker’s rich history on the raceway. If any other speedsters from the Japanese automaker ever make it to the streets, you can always find out first when you follow us on University Mitsubishi social media.