It is not often that Mitsubishi launches an all-new car locally. It has a small model offering in South Africa and, with the recent departure from its local ties with Mercedes-Benz, there are several new challenges laying ahead for this importer.
During the local launch of the ASX, the management team seemed quite upbeat about the brand's future and South Africans can look forward to several new model offerings launched from Mitsubishi during the next year.

Design
If you look at the ASX (Active Sporty Crossover), you can’t help but think this is exactly what several people would like to buy, right now. It is compact, attractively designed (apart, maybe, for that aggressive front nose) and, once you get into it, it definitely feels much more like a car sitting a few centimetres higher off the ground than an SUV. This is also the message that Mitsubishi would like to portray to its customers, that it is a crossover and not an SUV.

One engine
The local model line-up will include only a 2,0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with two specifications levels, while the third model will offer an automatic CVT transmission.
During the launch, the CVT did a fine job, especially if you are a more relaxed kind of driver. Keep to the national speed limit, and the tachometer shows a very low 2 200 r/min. This obviously also helps with fuel consumption. During traffic you might get a little annoyed with the way it chases revs, but even so it is one of the better CVT gearboxes we have experienced.
We are currently driving a manual ASX down from Gauteng to Cape Town, and the manual version, with its five speed transmission, sits at just over 3 000 r/min at 120 km/h.

Seating
The seats are fairly firm, and immediately remind me of those you can find in the Outlander. The leather seats’ (cloth is standard on the base model) upper and lower side bolsters are clearly designed for big people, as they don’t offer a lot of support. All models offer 60/40 split rear seats.
On the highway intrusive road noise was kept at bay, while only serious bumps infiltrates the cabin. Somehow there also seems to be less squeaking noises compared to, for example, Outlander models that I have driven.
It is the gearshift action of the manual that really impresses. It slips with a direct action through the gears while the throws are short with a positive feel. Overtaking on the highway takes some work, as there is not a lot of torque and you have to use the gears. Still, it is relatively quiet inside, and with a radio/CD sound system, USB and auxiliary input you easy pick your choice of music.

Depending of which model you choose, there is 16- and 17-inch alloy wheels, while the spare wheel, located the beneath the flat boot floor, is a full size alloy.

Safety
All cars come standard with seven airbags while the ASX has also been awarded a five star EuroNCAP rating. Active safety features include Active Stability Control (ASC), Brake Assist and a Hill Start Assist system that prevents the car from rolling backwards on steep inclines.

Future
We ask Mitsubishi about a possible future turbodiesel variant, and its new CEO, Jaco Oosthuizen, admitted that there are plans to import such a model in the future.

The pricing ranges from R279 900 to R319 900, and includes a three-year/100 000 km warranty and a five-year/90 000 km service plan. Service intervals are every 15 000 km.

Specifications: *
Engine: 2,0-litre naturally aspirated petrol
Power: 110 kW at 6 000 r/min
Torque: 197 N.m at 4 200 r/min
Combined consumption: 7,5 litres/100 km
* Manufacturer’s figures

Original article from Car