Mitsubishi has an important new model heading to Australia, though it probably isn't the one enthusiasts have been refreshing their browsers for. While anticipation continues to build around the return of the Pajero/Montero, the automaker has previewed the all-electric ASX VR-e - a car that revives a familiar name for a very different kind of vehicle.
As reported by Australian outlet Drive, the ASX VR-e is scheduled to join Mitsubishi's Australian lineup in the fourth quarter of 2026. Rather than another compact SUV, the newcomer takes the form of a low-slung electric hatchback. Because nothing says "off-road legend" like a sleek, aerodynamic hatchback.
Here's the plot twist: the ASX VR-e isn't entirely a Mitsubishi creation. The EV is being developed through Mitsubishi's partnership with Foxtron Vehicle Technologies and is closely related to the Foxtron Bria. So it's basically a Foxtron with a Mitsubishi badge, which is either a savvy move or a branding exercise in futility, depending on your tolerance for badge engineering.
Mitsubishi has so far released only a limited preview, with complete specifications and pricing still to come. Four trim levels have already been confirmed for Australia: LS, Aspire, Exceed, and GSR. Because nothing says "electric revolution" like trim levels that sound like they were ripped from a 1990s sedan brochure.
The connection between the ASX VR-e and Foxtron Bria is immediately apparent from the exterior. Apart from Mitsubishi-specific branding and details, the two vehicles share their fundamental design, which was created with input from Italian design house Pininfarina. That's right - Pininfarina, the folks who made Ferraris beautiful, have now lent their talents to a Mitsubishi that's actually a Foxtron. The world is a strange place.
That isn't necessarily bad news for buyers, as the result is a sleek and distinctive hatchback. The front features a full-width lighting signature, lower-mounted headlamps and an aerodynamic S-Duct designed to channel air from the bumper over the hood. Active grille shutters are also used to help reduce aerodynamic drag depending on driving conditions. Mitsubishi says its global and regional teams have carried out local testing and tuning to give the ASX VR-e responsive handling suited to Australian roads - because nothing says "responsive handling" like a car tuned for roads that are mostly dirt and potholes.
Mitsubishi has not yet released complete powertrain specifications for the Australian-market car. Its Foxtron Bria sibling uses a 57.5-kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery and is available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The rear-drive Bria produces 229 horsepower, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version makes a considerably stronger 400 hp. Similar configurations are expected for the Mitsubishi, although final specifications will need to wait for the company's official announcement. Because we all love waiting.
Inside, the Foxtron influence remains easy to spot. Preview images show a large central infotainment screen, digital instrument cluster and four-spoke steering wheel, although the Mitsubishi has naturally been configured for right-hand-drive Australian roads. So you'll be able to reach the screen with your right hand, which is nice.
The ASX VR-e represents a notable step for Mitsubishi Australia because it will be the company's first battery-electric model in the market since the i-MiEV. That's right - the last time Mitsubishi sold an EV in Australia, the i-MiEV was a thing. Remember the i-MiEV? Exactly.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia CEO Shunichi Kihara described the new model as an important part of the company's refreshed product range. The automaker is also borrowing from its performance heritage for the name. Mitsubishi says the "VR-e" designation pays tribute to the Galant VR-4, although buyers shouldn't expect this electric hatchback to be a direct spiritual successor to the rally-bred performance sedan. Because nothing says "rally heritage" like a front-wheel-drive hatchback with a battery pack.
Pricing hasn't been announced, leaving one of the biggest questions unanswered. The ASX VR-e will enter an increasingly competitive Australian EV market populated by affordable models from Chinese manufacturers, including the MG4 and BYD Dolphin. So it's not like Mitsubishi is entering a crowded field or anything.
For Mitsubishi enthusiasts, however, the ASX VR-e may feel like an appetizer before the main event. The company has continued teasing a new Pajero, keeping anticipation high for the return of one of its best-known off-road nameplates. Until then, Mitsubishi is expanding its range through partnerships that allow it to bring new vehicles to market without developing everything independently. The ASX VR-e is a clear example of that strategy, combining Foxtron hardware, Pininfarina-influenced styling and Mitsubishi branding into a new electric offering.
Would you consider the ASX VR-e despite its Foxtron origins? Or would you rather Mitsubishi focus its attention on getting the new Pajero into showrooms? Let us know in the comments. If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.