The fashion for parquet SUVs without a frame structure has been actively developing since 2007-2008, and soon there was a demand for such cars from people who do not leave the city. But in urban areas, large cars are not held in high esteem, and manufacturers have offered compact and sub-compact crossovers specifically for residents of megacities.
It is in order to fill this niche that Mitsubishi has released the ASX crossover. The first concept model appeared in 2007 under the name Concept-cX. Already at that time, the model looked like a serial one, but the financial and economic crisis slightly changed plans, and the serial model itself debuted only in 2010 in Geneva under the name ASX. The Japanese, of course, are masters of throwing dust in the eyes and inventing loud names, and the ASX abbreviation stands for Active Sport X-over - an SUV for active driving, but it’s still worth saying that the technical characteristics of Mitsubishi asx really do not allow even few competitors to compare with him.
Geometric indicators of the car
As a true city dweller ASX has a very compact size:
- length 4295 mm
- width 1770 mm
- height 1625 mm
- ground clearance 195 mm
- wheelbase - 2670 mm
- luggage compartment volume is an impressive 415 liters
- tank volume - 63 l
- unloaded weight - 1300 kg,
- gross weight - 1870 kg.
After a cosmetic update that took place in 2013, the main dimensions have not changed. The luggage compartment has become slightly smaller - 384 liters (1219 liters with the rear seats folded down) and the volume of the fuel tank has been reduced to 60 liters. In addition, the front and rear bumpers were changed, more chrome appeared, and the geometry of the grille changed.
Changes in technical terms: shock absorbers were reconfigured, bushings-silent blocks were replaced and levers with increased rigidity were introduced. The hand brake mechanism is now integrated into the brake caliper on one of the rear wheels. Suspension changes were made due to customer feedback. Mitsubishi puts a big stake on our market, and therefore, before updating the model, brand engineers came to Russia to communicate with the owners and the focus group.
In the interior of the car, the shape of the transmission mode selection washer has changed, the navigation system has been upgraded - now it supports SD memory cards.
Despite its compactness, the ASX is built on a mature platform that has been tested and installed on the latest generation Lancer and the now discontinued Outlander XL.
Engines and gearboxes
The model, both before and after the update, was supplied to the Russian market with three gasoline units:
- 1.6 liters, 117 hp and a torque of 154 Nm at 4 thousand rpm. This engine can be described as calm, taking into account the mass of the car, it does not go fast - up to 100 km / h the speedometer needle will rise in 11.4 seconds. But the motor is quite economical and consumes about 8 liters in city mode and 6.1 liters in highway mode. This engine was developed jointly with the Daimler concern and was installed on the Mitsubishi Colt back in 2004. Paired with this power unit, a five-speed manual gearbox was installed.
- 1.8 liters with 140 hp (143 hp for Europe). The torque was 177 Nm at 4250 rpm. This unit was developed jointly with Hyundai and Crysler, and although it was more powerful than the base engine, it could not boast of the same dynamics. Acceleration to 100 km / h is a long 13.1 seconds, and 9.8 liters per 100 km in the city (6.4 liters on the highway). The possibilities of the motor are curtailed due to the non-alternative CVT transmission. Undoubtedly, such a transmission has its advantages - amazing smoothness, but you have to pay for it with mediocre dynamics with a fairly powerful motor. Another advantage of the variator is its reliability, subject to regular oil changes.
- The 2.0 liter is the most powerful ASX engine on the market, delivering 150 hp. and 197 Nm of torque. The names of this version have all-wheel drive, combined with the same CVT. The car accelerates to “hundreds” in 11.9 seconds and consumes 10.5 liters in the city and 8.1 liters on the highway.
- due to high requirements for diesel fuel, one of the most interesting power units is not supplied to our country: 1.8 liters with a capacity of 150 hp. and a torque of 300 Nm. It is the best selling ASX engine in Europe due to its excellent dynamic and performance characteristics.
All-wheel drive system
The Mitsubishi company has been producing SUVs for several years, and therefore the technical characteristics of the Mitsubishi ACX are more reminiscent of the older models of the brand.
In the case of the ASX, there is one of the key features of all-wheel drive - the ability to switch modes. Even larger and more expensive crossovers do not provide the owner with a choice of drive, everything is run by electronics. But compact ASX is not like that, at its discretion, the owner can enable the following modes:
- The "auto" mode, which allows you to leave everything at the mercy of the computer.
- A front-wheel drive mode for driving on good roads, which also saves fuel.
- There is a 4x4 Lock mode that allows you to overcome various kinds of obstacles, and in which the rear-wheel drive is forcibly connected, and does not turn on when the front wheels slip.
ASX trim levels
It will not be difficult to choose an ASX package for a wide variety of budgets, the price range of the model is from 699,000 rubles to 1,249,900 rubles. This price range fits 12 different configurations of the model.
The model with a 1.6-liter base engine, front-wheel drive and manual transmission is sold in three versions:
- Inform 2WD - 699,000 r - is Spartan equipped and does not even have heated front seats or any audio system, which is amazing for such a price. Of the devices responsible for comfort, there is only air conditioning.
- Invite 2 WD - 779 990 r - is slightly better equipped and includes a set of the most necessary systems, but there are still 2 airbags for the driver and front passenger, as in the basic version
- Intense 2 WD - 829 990 rubles. - the most expensive version for this engine, it is noticeably richer equipped: the number of airbags increases significantly, including side curtains and a knee airbag for the driver. Fog lights, alloy wheels, roof rails, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob and a color display on the dashboard also appear.
Complete sets for the version with a 1.8-liter engine as a whole are equipped in the same way in increasing order, like the younger version with a 1.6-liter engine, but all have a variator installed:
- Inform 2WD - 849 990 rubles. In addition to the basic elements of the version with a smaller engine, it includes: a dynamic stabilization system, a hill-climbing system, virtual gearshift paddles, heated front seats and a 4-speaker audio system.
- Invite 2 WD - 899 990 rubles. Compared to the 1.6 Invite 2 WD, it has been supplemented with the following elements: a stability control system and an anti-slip system, a hill-climbing system, passenger and driver side airbags, curtain airbags for both rows, a driver's knee airbag, PTF, light alloy wheels wheels, roof rails, paddle shifters, leather steering wheel and gear knobs, color display on the dashboard.
- Intense 2 WD - 969 990 rubles. It differs from the younger version in the same configuration by the presence of the following elements: an exchange rate stability system and an anti-slip system, a climbing assistant, an electric rear-view mirror drive with integrated turn signals, tinted windows, gearshift paddles, cruise control, leather trim , power driver's seat, lamp for rear passengers, audio system with 6 speakers, USB connector, rear view camera, rain and light sensor, climate control.
Complete sets with a 2-liter engine are equipped only with a variator and a connected all-wheel drive. A total of 4 versions of this configuration are sold, the first three (from 979,990 to 1,099,990 r) are equipped exactly like the version with a 1.8 liter engine, but there is another version with the most complete optional set:
- Exclusive 4WD worth 1 249 990 r, which includes: xenon headlights with auto-corrector, light-alloy 17th wheels with a similar spare tire, Rockford Fostgate audio system with 8 speakers and a subwoofer, navigation system, keyless entry system and panoramic glass roof.
Conclusion
It is not surprising that the ASX is very popular with domestic buyers, according to the technical specifications, the Mitsubishi ACX clearance is 198 mm, which is simply an outstanding result for a compact crossover. Of the direct competitors, only the Skoda Yeti and Opel Mokka can be distinguished, but neither one nor the other will be able to compete with off-road capabilities with it and do not have such an impressive ground clearance. ASX sells well not only in our country, but also in Europe. Seeing this state of affairs, Peugeot and Citroen alliance allies even made their crossovers based on ASX: Peugeot 4008 and Citroen С4 AirCross.