Mitsubishi’s ASX offers better value

Mitsubishi is faring well in SA since being established as a standalone brand in the Imperial stable in July with sales figures showing strong growth.

Mitsubishi has more than doubled the retail sales volume in that time and launched over six derivatives to the market.

The compact SUV was co-developed with several European brands and offers excellent refinement and quality levels.

However, the Mitsubishi version of the model is globally the most successful due to the Japanese attention to detail and keen pricing. The Mitsubishi line-up, once dominated by big vehicles built to conquer Dakar, has done very well with the city styling and comfort of the compact ASX.

There are five models in the 2014 model year Mitsubishi ASX range in SA, all front-wheel drive and powered by a 2.0 litre petrol engine, with a choice of five-speed manual or six-step continuously variable transmission (CVT). The well-proven and economical power unit develops 110 kW of power at 6 000 rpm and 197 Nm of torque at 4 200 rpmn, sipping just 7.5 litres / 100 km – a big bonus with the current fuel prices.

The five models are the GL, GLX, a new derivative, the GLS with five-speed manual gearbox and Rockford audio system, GLS with CVT and GLS with CVT with a Rockford Fosgate sound system.

Oosthuizen said he expected a great deal of interest from buyers in the new GLS model with the manual gearbox and high quality Rockford Fosgate sound system as people buying in this price category – under R350 000 – are looking for a vehicle with all the convenience features as standard, instead of having to specify costly options as is the case with several brands on the local market.

All models now have a dark titanium colour centre panel, an upgraded audio system with four speakers and two tweeters on the GL and GLX models as standard. For the audiophiles there is the option of the Rockford Fosgate system on GLS derivatives, which incorporates a 500W subwoofer plus nine speakers.

This is all in addition to the wide range of other features that have been carried over from the previous models, including hands free Bluetooth connection to a mobile phone.

The Link system is available across the board. Link, is voice controlled, allowing dialling features through software which also has a learning component.

Park distance warning, fog lamps, multi-information display, rear luggage cover over the spacious luggage compartment and leather covered steering wheel and gear knob are also standard across the range.

All models now have heated exterior rear view mirrors, cruise control which is controllable from the steering wheel, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and automatic lighting control.

In addition the GLX models get a reversing camera with touchscreen radio/CD. The GLS offers HID headlamps (on CVT models), Active Stability Control and now also Electronic Traction Control.

As one has come to expect from a Mitsubishi product, the safety levels are very high and the ASX achieved a five-star rating in the Euro NCAP evaluation.

Standard safety features include seven airbags and Mitsubishi’s Dakar Rally developed Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) safety cell.

There are also ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BAS), with ISOFIX fittings for child seats.

The Mitsubishi ASX is covered by a three-year/100 000km warranty and comes with a five-year/ 90 000km service plan, with service intervals every 15 000km.

Pricing: ASX GL (MT) From R284 900; ASX GLX (MT) From R309 900; ASX GLS RF (MT) From R322 900; ASX GLS (CVT) From R339 900; ASX GLS RF (CVT) From R349 900.