Mitsubishi made its all-new compact crossover RVR available in dealerships in its home country of Japan yesterday – but Europeans won’t have too long to wait for the vehicle either.
A European spec version of the RVR, known as the ASX, is scheduled to debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, which kicks off on March 2. It has a lightweight, compact body with a 1.8litre, 16valve engine with intelligent and innovative vehicle electronic control system and sport mode six-speed CVT.
Among its fuel-saving features are a regenerative braking system, electric power steering and improved aerodynamics, which, alongside other low-fuel consumption technologies, mean the vehicle exceeds the 2010 fuel efficiency requirements in Japan by 15 per cent. The regenerative braking system generates electricity during deceleration with the system decreasing the burden on the engine by not running the alternator while stored energy is consumed.
The engine’s maximum output is 102kW at 6,000rpm; with maximum torque at 172Nm at 4,200rpm. Fuel economy in the Japanese cycle is the equivalent of 35.8mpg and it qualifies for the Japanese eco-car tax reduction, which is a 50 per cent reduction to promote environmentally friendly cars.
