Mitsubishi Unveils ASX VR-e BEV Ahead of New Pajero

Mitsubishi diverts attention to a new all‑electric ASX VR-e

Mitsubishi has surprised observers by confirming an all-new, fully electric ASX VR-e for the Australian market ahead of the long-anticipated return of the Pajero/Montero. Scheduled to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2026, the ASX VR-e marks the Japanese brand's first new electric model in Australia in more than a decade.

The reveal comes as Mitsubishi ramps up activity globally — the company recently launched the Leaf-based Eclipse Sportback in the US with NACS charging support and teased a rugged, body-on-frame Pajero for other markets. But for Australia, Mitsubishi is taking a different route: a compact, sporty BEV developed with partners and tuned locally for the market.

Partnerships and provenance

Rather than relying only on Alliance partners, Mitsubishi is collaborating with Foxtron Vehicle Technologies — the automotive arm tied to Foxconn — to bring the ASX VR-e to life. Design input comes from Italian studio Pininfarina, while Mitsubishi's global and regional engineering teams handled testing and local tuning in Australia.

This mix of international design and local calibration aims to deliver a car with sharp handling and everyday usability, a deliberate move to stand out in a crowded small-EV segment.

Design and aerodynamic focus

Official images suggest the ASX VR-e resembles a five-door hatch more than a typical compact SUV. Mitsubishi retains signature styling cues across the front and rear fascias, wheel designs and cabin trim, but the car also adopts a number of aerodynamic features intended to optimize range and efficiency.

Highlights include:

• A distinctive 'S‑Duct' that channels air from the center of the bumper up and over the hood
• Active grille shutters to reduce drag in different driving conditions
• Wheel and underbody treatments tuned for aero efficiency

The VR-e name nods to the historic Galant VR-4 performance badge, signaling Mitsubishi's intent to blend sportier driving dynamics with electric efficiency.

Powertrain, trims and local positioning

Mitsubishi plans to offer the ASX VR-e with both single-motor rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations, targeting buyers who want either efficient daily driving or sharper performance and traction.

Australia will get four trim levels at launch: LS, Aspire, Exceed and GSR — a lineup that suggests Mitsubishi will cover value-oriented buyers to those seeking higher equipment and sportier tuning.

Competitors in the target segment include the MG 4 and BYD Dolphin, both of which have pushed aggressive pricing and strong feature sets in the small-EV market. Local outlets expect Mitsubishi to price the ASX VR-e around AUD 40,000 (roughly US$28,000), positioning it to compete directly with Chinese rivals on affordability.

"This car represents Mitsubishi's pragmatic approach: world-class partners, Italian design flair, and Australian calibration to create a compelling BEV for local buyers," one industry analyst commented.

Why this matters

Mitsubishi's ASX VR-e launch shows the brand is flexible: badge-engineering and alliance strategies remain part of the playbook, but so does collaboration with external manufacturers and designers to accelerate electrification. For Australian buyers, the VR-e will be the freshest Mitsubishi EV on offer and an important test of the brand's ability to reclaim relevance in the growing EV market.

More images, full technical specs and official pricing will be released closer to the Q4 2026 launch. Until then, the ASX VR-e stands as a statement that Mitsubishi intends to compete in the mainstream electric hatchback market with a distinctly tuned, locally relevant product.