Mitsubishi revives VR nameplate for latest EV

MANILA: Mitsubishi Motor Corporation has revived the age-old VR nameplate for its latest all-electric crossover that’s due to launch this year in New Zealand and Australia. The model is called the ASX VR-e. 

If these names sound familiar, the ASX moniker was once used on a subcompact internal combustion crossover that was sold in the Philippines but was discontinued sometime in 2018. Currently, it is sold as a gasoline-only model in the Land Down Under. The VR name, on the other hand, was once used on the Galant sedan’s VR-4 high-performance variant. 

Now in 2026, the Japanese marque announced the said model’s fourth-quarter launch in Oceania via a YouTube video. The said video showed off a very futuristic-looking crossover that nearly looks like a hatchback. It has LED light bars, a closed-off grille, and an aerodynamic design for its wheels. 

At the moment, however, the video of the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e remains to be a teaser. No specifications were provided by the marque, nor did the company share anything about an exact launch date. 

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On the one hand, the said nameplate was described as a sort of follow-up to the Outlander Sport hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), which was also due for New Zealand. This, the company said, will complement the Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and the Eclipse Cross PHEV. 

It will also come in four different variants in Oceania. There’s the top-spec “high-performance” GSR, the Exceed, XLS, and the entry-level LS. 

Additionally, the ASX VR-e is a product of partnerships. Specifically with Italian design house Pininfarina and electric vehicle manufacturer Foxtron. 

On that note, the closest equivalent of the ASX VR-e in Foxtron’s lineup is the Bria. So if we speculate, the upcoming Mitsubishi EV could share plenty of bits with the said Taiwanese EV crossover. 

This means a rear-wheel-drive layout for lower-spec models and an all-wheel-drive system with dual motors for its top-spec GRS trim. 

Moreover, the dual-motor setup the ASX VR-e will likely carry over from the Foxtron Bia produces up to 400 horsepower and provides a range of up to 466 kilometers, according to the New European Driving Cycle. 

For now, let's take everything here with a grain of salt and wait for more details as the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e nears its launch in the fourth quarter of the year. 

However, do you think this upcoming Mitsubishi EV will be suitable for the Philippine market as well? Let us know your thoughts. 

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