Mitsubishi reveals next-gen MPV ahead of GIIAS 2017 – 1.5L MIVEC engine, seven seats, keyless operation

Mitsubishi reveals next-gen MPV ahead of GIIAS 2017 – 1.5L MIVEC engine, seven seats, keyless operation

At long last, Mitsubishi has unveiled the first official photos of the production version of the Mitsubishi XM Concept. The carmaker isn’t ready to reveal the model’s official name just yet (reportedly called the Expander), and has labeled it as its “next-generation MPV” in the meantime.

Said to offer the best of both MPV and SUV worlds (a la Honda BR-V), the model offers seating for up to seven occupants spread across three rows. Despite competing in the “Low MPV” segment, the interior certainly appears to have an upmarket feel to it.

From what we can see, the dashboard’s design scheme is largely made up of surfaces finished in beige, accompanied by a black upper dash and touches of faux wood, silver and gloss black trim.

This multi-colour approach is also applied to the doors, but the seats are upholstered in beige fabric instead. Unlike the concept’s free-standing infotainment display, the one on the finished product is integrated into the centre stack (likely only for higher variants). Even though we weren’t provided with more photos of the interior, Mitsubishi claims the MPV will offer generous cabin and luggage space, the former further supported by convenient access to the third-row seats.

Mitsubishi reveals next-gen MPV ahead of GIIAS 2017 – 1.5L MIVEC engine, seven seats, keyless operation

Stepping out of the vehicle, the bold front end that was present on the concept appears to be carried over, albeit with production-ready revisions. The brand’s Dynamic Shield face sees the adoption of a triple-tier lighting arrangement, with the upper area being taken up by LED daytime running lights and thick-slat grille.

Meanwhile, the main halogen reflector headlamps occupy the outside of the ‘X’ design, and are certainly generously proportioned. The lower apron doesn’t have the concept’s large skid plates, and instead accommodates the car’s fog lamps and front brush guard.

The rear also appears to be a carbon copy of the concept, also featuring the ‘X’ look, although there isn’t a two-tone paint scheme. The sculptured taillights also come with conventional graphics here, but you still get the floating roof look courtesy of the blacked-out section of the D-pillars.

In terms of dimensions, the Expander measures 4,475 mm long, 1,750 mm wide and 1,700 tall. The carmaker says the first two figures “surpass many competitors without getting unwieldy,” and the MPV is “wider and larger than common MPVs in its class.”

Mitsubishi reveals next-gen MPV ahead of GIIAS 2017 – 1.5L MIVEC engine, seven seats, keyless operation

However, Mitsubishi did not reveal the vehicle’s wheelbase, but did quote a class-leading ground clearance of 205 mm. By comparison, the BR-V has a ground clearance of 201 mm, with a length of 4,456 mm, width of 1,735 mm and height of 1,666 mm. The BR-V has a wheelbase spanning 2,662 mm, so we’d expect the new Mitsubishi MPV to be within proximity.

On the specifications front, a 1.5 litre MIVEC four-cylinder petrol engine provides the motivation, paired with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic that sends drive to the front wheels.

The vehicle will also come with keyless operation, which can also remotely turn on the LED lights on at the touch of a button, something that should come in handy in a car park. Furthermore, the headlights come with a welcome home, remaining on for 30 seconds when exiting the car at night.

Full details of Mitsubishi’s next-gen MPV will be revealed later on August 10, when it makes its first public debut during the 2017 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). The MPV is set to be launched in Indonesia in fall of 2017 (priced around 189-246 million rupiah (RM60k-79k), and will be produced at the company’s new Indonesian factory in Bekasi Prefecture, West Java Province.

GALLERY: Mitsubishi XM Concept at IIMS 2017


GALLERY: Mitsubishi XM Concept official images

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Lexus just called…they ask to change the front design

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 8
    • Periasamy on Jul 24, 2017 at 5:25 pm

      Wow now everything new launched in Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) or Thailand.

      In KLIMS, nobody launches anything anymore…..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 34 Thumb down 32
    • andrw on Jul 25, 2017 at 12:39 pm

      from the side mirror, the body crease that runs thru the body and the rear lights. looks too much of a honda jazz.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Hamster called. They want their cheeks back.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 8
  • jinggo on Jul 24, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    Wow! Very beautiful siot!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
  • Need more speed on Jul 24, 2017 at 5:43 pm

    4 speed auto? how to compete?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
    • Papa G on Jul 24, 2017 at 6:38 pm

      Ertiga oso 4 speeder

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • Yeah, I am puzzled by Mitsubishi’s decision to equip it with an outdated 4AT. Why not use their INVECS III CVT instead? If the cheaper Mirage 1.2 can come with the CVT, surely Mitsubishi can equip the more expensive and bigger-engined MPV with the more efficient CVT. Another missed opportunity, Mitsubishi.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
  • The center cockpit console fails to match with the exaggerated exterior design…the air con louver looks like 30 years old proton saga’s one.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 1
    • jinggo on Jul 24, 2017 at 5:58 pm

      and they copy the fake stitching from proton Iriz dashboard..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 6
    • No rear air con vents as usual?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
    • But the cockpit still looks better than almost all the small MPVs currently in the market. Only the BR-V comes close. Avanza/Xenia/Rush no need to mention at all!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • pakcik on Jul 24, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    Beautiful! Sadly 4 speed auto..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • Dylan Ch'ng on Jul 24, 2017 at 5:53 pm

    Unibody vs Body On Frame?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
    • Since it’s FWD, most likely it’s using a monocoque (unibody) chassis. It’s rumored to be a lengthened chassis of the Eclipse Cross.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • hyundai89 on Jul 24, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    the interior design..lol…..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 5
    • honda89 on Jul 24, 2017 at 8:34 pm

      I know, right. Doesn’t look like plastic. So, that is a lol. What we want is plastic interior, so we can comment “the interior is outdated and look like plastic.”

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • thepolygonal on Jul 24, 2017 at 6:01 pm

    Best looking car award in the world. Looks like a transformers half way stuck while transforming.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 1
  • jasper chong on Jul 24, 2017 at 7:08 pm

    i wanna buy this car. too bad the full top sun roof is missing

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Miss Kumquat on Jul 24, 2017 at 7:14 pm

    The front looks like transformer robot. My kids will love it!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Cheap look getting cheaper!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
  • Lee Kum Kee on Jul 24, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    #&+@ u Mitsubishi. I just went temporary blind…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Jul 24, 2017 at 9:19 pm

    exterior epic…interior like uncle car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • 1.5 and 4 speed auto..lol

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • Jazz on steroids….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
  • Every car maker shld have their own design look & signature but this one..Lexus front,BMW side & Volvo rear!Mitsubishi…Pls be creative

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 6
  • one year later..
    facelift with rear aircond and CVT..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • mitsu design following footsteps of toyota now? ^^

    over-designed car

    bet its co-eff of drag is very lousy :D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • jinggo on Jul 25, 2017 at 8:53 am

    Mitsu Malaysia, please sell this at RM80k otr. Sure will tapau BRV gaogao..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Mr. Octopus on Jul 25, 2017 at 10:30 am

    Is this a car or a boat?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Your dad on Jul 25, 2017 at 11:30 pm

    Not enough info.. How much in RM once launched in SG? Very keen on this car. Great specs

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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