Mitsubishi Motors has unveiled the first-ever full hybrid small MPV in the form of the Xpander HEV and Xpander Cross HEV. These models have made their global debut in Thailand just a week after it was first teased.
Both the Xpander HEV and Xpander Cross HEV use a newly-developed, full series-parallel hybrid system loosely based on Mitsubishi’s Plug-In Hybrid or PHEV system.
The e:Motion system, as it is officially called, uses a 95-horsepower, 134 Nm 1.6-liter MIVEC 4-cylinder engine (4A92) running on the Atkinson cycle at its core. This engine alone is 10 percent more fuel efficient compared to the current 1.5-liter engine. Mated to that is a high output electric motor and 1.1-kWh lithium-ion traction battery located under the front seats. Combined, the generator (aka the engine) and electric motor produce a total of 85 kW or about 116 horsepower and 225 Nm. The transmission is essentially a direct drive with one fixed ratio for the internal combustion engine and one fixed ratio for the electric motor.
Depending on the level of charge available in the battery, the Xpander HEV and Xpander Cross HEV can switch to pure EV mode or even to an “EV Priority” mode. Aside from these two drive modes, there are five other driver selectable modes available: Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Mud, and Wet for a total of seven.
Due to the new electrified powertrain, Mitsubishi engineers have also modified the platform for increased rigidity, particularly in areas surrounding the engine bay area and high-voltage battery. The suspension tuning has also been modified versus the internal combustion model. Finally, they also have more sound absorbing material for improved NVH.
Further enhancing the drive, the Xpander HEV and Xpander Cross HEV come with Mitsubishi’s All Wheel Control technology which includes Active Yaw Control, Traction Control, Acceleration Control, and Steering Control.
Distinguishing the HEV models versus their non-electrified counterparts, the exterior features “HEV” badges on the front grille and tailgate, plus “HYBRID EV” badges on the front doors, while blue accent color has been added to the lower part of the front side as well as the side garnishes, rear bumper, and wheels.
White Diamond is as a body color to express the clean character of an electrified vehicle with its rigid yet luminous and vivid color, joining Blade Silver Metallic, Graphite Gray Metallic, and Jet Black Mica in the lineup of color options. For the Xpander Cross HEV model, Green Bronze Metallic is also available.
Inside, the HEV models get an 8-inch LCD instrument cluster and a revised gearlever with a shift-by-wire system. Other features include heat-reflecting leather heats (Heat Guard), a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, electronic parking brake with auto hold, and a PM 2.5 air filtration system.
As for pricing, the Xpander HEV and Xpander Cross HEV, Mitsubishi Motors made the decision to price it the same as its internal combustion engine counterparts, at least as an introductory offer, with the Xpander HEV priced at 912,000 Thai Baht (P 1.443 million) and the Xpander Cross HEV priced at 946,000 Thai Baht (P 1.49 million). Officially though, they command a premium of 15,000 Thai Baht (P 23,734) in the case of the Xpander Cross and 21,000 Thai Baht (P 33,228) in the case of the Xpander.
The Xpander HEV and Xpander Cross HEV go on sale in Thailand today where they are assembled at the Laem Chabang Plant. These two electrified models carry a 5-year warranty on the hybrid system and a 10-year warranty on the battery.
If they price this at 1.5 million here, this is probably a big brain move by Mitsubishi. Can't cough up 2 million for an Innova Zenix Hybrid? Buy this instead! They will even steal diesel Innova buyers at that price without sacrificing 7-seat capability (the battery sits under the front seats so the 3rd row isn't compromised). They will even have a competitor against the 2 best-selling hybrids in the country: the Kicks and the Yaris Cross. Those two don't have 3rd-rows at all and are smaller.
ReplyDeleteThe best part? The Xpander already outsold the Innova (even if you combine Zenix sales) for the first time last year. With the Hybrid Xpander, Mitsubishi is really going for the best-selling MPV title in the Philippines full-stop without a direct rival to the Innova. Can't wait to see how this does when it arrives.
Not only that but they finally put a bigger displacement engine for it's class and you can't ignore 225 Nm of Torque, Electric Torque from 0 RPM. From the looks of it they're using the same Planetary Gearset design from toyota's hybrid that mimics a cvt and no the belt driven one from Jatco. Great to see the nissan shifter tho because if you seen the Previous gen Outlander PHEV shifter it looks like a sex toy.
Deleteif it has 6 airbags, then im sold
ReplyDeleteIs this a series or parallel hybrid?
ReplyDeleteSeries-parallel similar to the Toyota or Honda system.
DeleteMitsubishi PH should offer a full option variant at an affordable price. So it can sway potential Zenix Hybrid buyers into their brand.
ReplyDeleteWell, Avanza/Veloz still sells more than the Xpander. Really don't understand why Toyota Ph considers these as separate models.
ReplyDeleteDaihatsu and Toyota in Indonesia or Asia Pacific intentionally separated Avanza and Veloz into two different models even though they are the same.
Deletethis is surprising. I honestly thought they were going with the Nissan hybrid tech.
ReplyDeleteThese are likely priced at 1.5 Million up to 1.6 Million Pesos
ReplyDeletePeople are still gonna buy it as its a Mitsubishi
Considering the other hybrids in that price range are only 5 seaters, then its gonna be a good deal regardless
DeleteI find it very weird that Mitsubishi is introducing an all-new powertrain for a car that is due for an all-new model really soon (even more surprising, it is their own hybrid instead of taking an existing setup from the alliance). Maybe they are pulling a similar strategy with what Ford did with the Ranger/Everest, introducing the 2.0 engines late in its lifecycle to carry over the powertrain to the next generation model.
ReplyDeleteI believe this setup will be used for the Xforce HEV to go toe-to-toe with the Yaris Cross HEV. This is good, more competition the better.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I think so as well. The main benefactor of the e:Motion powertrain is the Xforce more than the Xpander/Xpander HEV.
DeleteI took a closer look at some of Mitsubishi's promotional images, and I see rear disc brakes! Finally nakahabol na sa 21st century 😂. Kulang pa rin sa safety features for a family car (no ADAS, no side airbags) pero atleast they are heading towards the right direction with the introduction of disc rear brakes. I wonder what took them so long.
ReplyDeleteI think the ADAS and additional side and side curtain airbags will be offered on the second generation Xpander. We just don't know when will Mitsubishi launch it, perhaps 2-3 years from now?
DeleteIs it still a 4-speed?
ReplyDeleteGearlever with a shift-by-wire system = AKA '1' gear hehe
DeleteOne gear ... just like the 5-seater Kicks E?
DeleteOnly 33k premium (converted from THB) over the regular model is encouraging news. I think Mitsubishi will track closely to the Ertiga strategy for pricing at, or close to, regular engine models. They are able to do this as high volume production gives them economies of scale.
ReplyDeleteThe 33k is because the HEV is manufactured in Thailand, while the regular Xpander they have is imported from Indoensia, which is subject to higher taxes. I expect the price difference here to be higher, probably around 150k at least.
DeleteHi mitshibishi phil. kelan po available sa pinas ang Xpander HEV?
ReplyDeleteSame question beforre I get another brand.
DeleteIs this 1.6 the 4A92 from the old Lancer?
ReplyDeleteConfirmed. Yes. 4A92. We updated the article to reflect that.
DeleteSeriously? The 1.5L 4A91 @ 104hp is more powerful than the 1.6L 4A92 @ 95hp?
DeleteBecause it runs on the Atkinson cycle for fuel efficiency.
DeleteDoes that 4A92 engine need higher octane fuel (i.e. @95RON)? If that's the case, operating cost on fuel might just be the same with the 4A91 @91RON. It could be more fuel efficient, but it needs the more expensive type. That, coupled with the more expensive maintenance of hybrid systems, the conventional xpanders might still be a better proposition.
DeleteAlso, how about the emission of that Atkinson 4A92 when operated independently?
Emissions hasn't been mentioned, only fuel efficiency which is 34 percent better in urban driving and 15 percent in a combined urban/extra-urban cycled. For the Thai market, the Xpander HEV requires just 91 octane.
DeleteMitsu needs to publish the required octane and the emission data.
DeleteThe Xpander hybrid might appear environment friendly, but its probably just smoke and mirrors...lol!
ADAS and curtain airbags are available on xforce which is of the same platform with the xpander so probably next gen xpander or hopefully nxt refresh.
ReplyDeleteI hope mistsubi fixes their quality issues. I remember a top gear ph comparo wherein the hosts kept on laughing because the xpander steering column shakes like crazy.
ReplyDeleteWhen will it be released in the Philippines? When the hybrid battery dies, can it still run?
ReplyDeleteYes, it should. That's the beauty of hybrids...even the battery eventually loses the ability to store a charge, they can still run...the fuel economy will suffer though. This would be different from a full BEV setup or a series setup like the Kicks e-Power. In those cases, once the battery goes kaput, the vehicle will not be able to start.
DeleteThough based sa video (1:26 mark), baka kaya pa din mag limp mode using electricity from ICE generator(?).
Deletehttps://youtu.be/4i8_74QREDc?feature=shared
Looks like a good deal but the article does not mention the size of the battery.
ReplyDeleteThis is because the details on the powertrain were released way later than the vehicle's release. We did update the story along the way to include more details, but it's said to be 1.1 kWh. This makes it bigger than the Yaris Cross (0.7 kWh) but smaller than the Kicks e-Power (2.13 kWh).
DeleteProbably the best selling MPV in the market soon. Mitsubishi has nailed it with this Expander new 1.6L 116Bhp and 250 NM of torque. You can never complained anymore as to those hungry for more power. Il buy one when it Launched.
ReplyDeleteIt'll surely sell very well even if its priced like an Innova E
ReplyDeleteMy next car if this HEV model is coming to the PH this year.
ReplyDelete