New Mitsubishi ASX VR-e EV to go on sale before end of 2026

The first time Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) sold a fully electric vehicle in large numbers was in 2009 with a model called the i-MiEV. It was a small EV and the world’s first volume-produced EV which was sold to the public in some countries (including Malaysia).

The i-MiEV was also sold with Peugeot and Citroen badges in Europe and produced up till 2014. Thereafter, MMC didn’t develop another EV but instead collaborated with Nissan and had a model called the eK X EV out of the partnership.

Developed with Foxtron
Last May, Mitsubishi Motors announced that it would collaborate with Foxtron Vehicle Technologies (a joint venture between electronics manufacturing giant Foxconn and automaker Yulon, both Taiwanese) to develop a new mass-market EV.

Known as the ASX VR-e, the new EV sits on the same platform as the Foxtron Bria which was unveiled in December 2025 as Taiwan’s first EV for the global market. Pininfarina, the famous Italian design house (owned by the Mahindra Group), styled the model but MMC’s designers have added their own styling elements to differentiate the ASX VR-e from the Bria.

‘ASX’, if you remember from the model sold in Malaysia some years back, stands for ‘Active Sports Crossover’. More interesting is the ‘VR’ suffix which references the Galant VR-4, a high-performance, AWD Galant that Mitsubishi’s legendary Lancer Evo series.

Same size as Xforce
The ASX VR-e is a subcompact crossover roughly similar in size to the Xforce and BYD ATTO 2. It measures 4315 mm in length, 1885 mm in width, and 1535 mm in height, with a 2800 mm wheelbase.

Full technical details are still not revealed but from the Bria specs, we can expect the ASX VR-e to have a 57.7 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack. The single-motor variant produces 171 kW with an estimated driving range of up to 561 kms on the NEDC cycle. The dual-motor AWD GSR variant generates 299 kW, can take the EV from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds, while delivering an estimated range of up to 466 kms.

From MMC’s press announcements, it seems that the first markets to get the ASX VR-e will be Australia and New Zealand. Whether it will sell the model in Japan remains to be seen as it has the eK EV. But that’s a kei car model and its range is only 180 kms, so the greater performance of the ASX VR-e may have stronger appeal.

Unlikely for Malaysia
As for the Malaysian market, it is unlikely that the model will be assembled locally anytime soon, so it will be subject to MITI’s tougher conditions for EVs imported in CBU (completely built-up) form. MITI requires CBU EVs to have a motor output of at least 180 kW so that rules out the single-motor version.

While the 299 kW dual-motor variant comfortably satisfies the power requirement, its higher specification could drive up the price, especially with the RM200,000 minimum CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) pricing floor. It would become very expensive for a small EV, so it is unlikely to be offered, and Malaysians would be denied of another EV choice.

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