The Mitsubishi Xpander is still fresh in its primary market of Indonesia, so what’s it doing here with a new grille and black tape on its nose? All signs point to this mule – sighted by Instagram user Indra Prasetya in Indonesia – being a prototype of the next-generation Nissan Grand Livina.
Nissan holds a big stake in Mitsubishi Motors after rescuing the latter from the brink, and both are members of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, so a co-operation makes sense. Also, the Xpander has been a winning product for MMC in the MPV-driven auto market of Indonesia, while Nissan’s Livina is an ageing product in dire need of a reboot.
Now let’s take a look at the picture above. It’s clear that the MPV in question is the Mitsubishi Xpander, but the front end of the seven-seater appears to be slightly altered. Much of Mitsubishi’s “Dynamic Shield” cues are here – including the slim top tier lights sitting above big main beams in a three-tier lighting arrangement – but the trademark chrome strips that give the sunken cheeks look is absent.
Without this frame, the grille is bowl-shaped rather than X-shaped, conveniently morphing into Nissan’s “V-Motion” nose. Also different from the Xpander is the lower bumper, which has a full-width silver lip and angular fog lamps at each end (vs round fogs on the Xpander, arranged narrowly). The top-tier daytime running lights appear to have a different design, and the front wheel arches are round instead of squared-off on the Mitsubishi.
On the side, the deep wedge of a signature line is present, along with the “floating roof” look brought about by the small black strip joining the side and rear glass areas. No emblems can be seen at the rear, which design has been unaltered. The orange-bronze hue of this test mule (which isn’t a current Xpander colour) is a favourite of Nissan, which used orange on the original Livina NP300 Navara pick-up truck and recently-facelifted X-Trail.
The Mitsubishi Xpander competes in Indonesia’s core Low MPV segment against the Toyota Avanza, Daihatsu Xenia, Honda Mobilio and Suzuki Ertiga. It’s powered by a 1.5 litre engine with 104 PS and 141 Nm. Power goes to the front wheels via a five-speed manual or a four-speed torque automatic. What do you think of the Xpander/new Livina compared to the Perodua Aruz?
GALLERY: Mitsubishi Xpander in Indonesia
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Sleek and modern! When new Xpander, Livina and Avanza comes here, habisla outdated and boring Proton Exora and Ertiga.
Mitsubishi rebadging? Maluapabo55kurr…
Wut? Spender?
Undies?
Yay, more choices for the market. Looks good and should sell well, esspecially with torque converter box.
Actually its a surprise to see Nissan using MMC. Nissan cars is way too aging in Malaysia. MMC is getting improved especially Dynamic Shield Concept but not many car being intro in Malaysia by MMC since our neighbor have more choice. Perodua Aruz being ask by Paul Tan towards us? Actually its the same concept, using Toyota tech. Even this Nissan also use MMC. Comparison btw Aruz and this car, both have similar concept just differ by FR and FF. Engine very similar as well, only drive train is absolutely 4AT dino age for both. Which is a let down. Safety wise will be Aruz. Design wise will be MMC/Nissan. Nothing can be judge much by us, bring in to Malaysia and we compare.
They will sell it with about same price or what? Can see here Aruz-Rush have substantially price different so expect more to buy Aruz than Rush. There are no Expander here so it will make sense people will buy Livina when this come to Malaysia.
I think with the flat floor when the seats are down is its biggest advantage which both the Aruz and BRV doesn’t have.
with this design, no need to think. aruz surely absolute winner!
i’m prefer livina in wagon style compared to this one. nissan should maintain that style. the most good looking livina was 1st model livina (fl) tuned by impul. nissan should looking into that. but it is late already
disappointed
Rm60k Mitsu Xpander & Rm70k Livina incoming!
Eh.. hello.. ASX and Triton already RM100k so its impossible for the Xpander to be RM60k mabye RM75k to 90k would be great
Rather pointless for Nissan to bring this here.
the Aruz is THE undisputed runaway price/value champion in this segment given the specifications that come standard and on the uplevel trim.
the only upsell with the Xpander/G Livina would be the FWD platform offering somewhat better fuel economy and ride and handling characteristics as compared to the RWD Aruz/Rush twins. How much that would work in their favour would depend on how TCM prices this here.
Knowing TCM, it would probably take them 5 years to bring it here, so by that time, this model wont be relevant anyway. And knowing TCM, they might even soldier on the existing G livina for that very 5 years with no sense of urgency
Their entire sales strategy is built on bad-mouthing other brands, why would they consider bringing newer cars, eh?
I beg to differ here – as long as Honda is willing to SPRUCE its BR-V (likewise with Nissan with their Grand Livina or Mits with the Xpander) with a minimum SIX airbags including curtain airbags covering ALL THREE ROWS to complement with the ABS/EBD?Stability control for the MINIMUM as imported brand names, I am with that idea – and hope that a 1.6L turbo engine can fit into the front for at least better torque capability compared to our much-endeared Aruz
Hope that they’ll launch the livina x-gear successor too..
I was called by Nissan people. They say it will not be coming to Malaysia in 2019 :( …. Mitsu people also say the same. Whyyy? Whyyyyyy?
sure or not? got some article state that xpander coming this year.
1. I put up a question on Nissan’s contact us (or something) webpage. Was quite surprised, early the next morning they called and said, “Nope… it ain’t a coming…” – A sad morning for me
2. I went to Mitsu’s Facebook and asked there. Same answer… Not coming to Malaysia in 2019.
This is what both parties said lah :) If they lie, the I ter-lie oso. Hehe. But I got it straight from them horses mouthes. So… maybe true lah… Which is why I am still a sad man.
Should rename as “Nissan Spender”
‘Nissan Lavender’
We all still have much time so save money for this because it will only arrive in 2021 according to TC
Aiya… Why so late oneee :(
No more mere TWIN airbags without ESC anymore ya! Period
Tenang je bro, i dah punya here in Indo. Dua trim teratas dapat VSC + HSA + ABS + EBD lengkap lah hehe. And for the matter of drive, its somekind like Innova i think.
Livina X Xpander = Lavender