Mitsubishi Motors Reveals Six Models for Release in 2023
Mitsubishi Motors has been pretty busy planning its new lineup. With a reveal of 16 models to be released over the next few years, it doesn’t seem like many of them are brand new just yet. Many of them seem to be refreshed versions of models currently in the lineup, but according to the automaker’s new mid-term business strategy “Challenge 2025”, battery-electric vehicles (BEV) are coming. For now, Mitsubishi announced six of the 16 models coming to the lineup will be released this year (2023), and there’s a good mix of overseas and North American models.
Here’s what we know so far – Mitsubishi Motors will be making new investments in its Research & Development (R&D) department, increasing the budget by 30-percent. 70-percent of that funding will be for the design and production of BEVS, starting in 2026, followed by another investment of $1.5 billion in 15 GWh worth of batteries to power these new vehicles. Mitsubishi may be releasing 16 new models, but by 2030, ten BEVs should be added to the lineup. So, why is are there only two new hybrid options being released?
It’s a mystery. When Mitsubishi Motors started releasing new generation models of vehicle in the lineup, it all started with the Mitsubishi Outlander and the Thunderstruck campaign. Following the Outlander SUV, the Outlander Sport, Outlander PHEV, and eventually the Eclipse Cross all received new and refreshed versions. The Mitsubishi Mirage and Mirage G4 were left to bite the dust, but the former is coming out with a special edition Ralliart-inspired model. Several models in the 2023 Mitsubishi lineup will get a Ralliart edition, including the Outlander, Outlander Sport, and Eclipse Cross. Another model entering a new generation, the Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck is entering its sixth iteration. The new generation of the Triton even inspired the Triton XRT concept, planned to enter the 2023 Asia Cross Country Rally.
Back to the six models being released, they are the Mitsubishi Xpander, Colt, ASX/Outlander, Triton, Delica Mini, and an unnamed compact SUV. The Mitsubishi Xpander is a cross between an SUV and a minivan, and it seems that a new hybrid model is being added to the model lineup. Overseas models, we haven’t talked much about the Xpandeer or the Delica van. The Triton pickup truck is also only sold overseas, but with the near-empty midsize pickup truck segment in the North American market, the Triton would be the best choice if Mitsubishi wanted to reintroduce its pickup truck to other regions.
Then there’s the Outlander, known as the ASX overseas. It seems that this new model could be based a little more off of another Renault model, the Captur. With the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance sharing resources, the second Renault-based model is the Mitsubishi Colt. Once a sports car loved by all, reintroducing it as an SUV or a crossover is going to be tricky. When the Mitsubishi Eclipse returned as a crossover, the Eclipse Cross, fans were initially furious, but recent sales for the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross would beg to differ.
The automaker has shared very little information for the new Colt, based off of the Renault Clio Hybrid. More than likely, powertrain options will be the same – a turbocharged 1.0-liter gasoline engine able to generate 90 horsepower and a 1.6-liter hybrid able to generate 143 horsepower. The unnamed compact SUV looks flashy with a new LED headlight signature and cameras instead of side mirrors, but that’s all we can see for now. We’re sure Mitsubishi will be releasing more information about both models over the next nine months, and if we’re lucky, the new compact SUV will make it to North America.
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