The Star: April 05, 2018

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Mitsubishi ASX not
to be outclassed
Best
Motorbuys
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Thursday April 5 2018
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• By Ross Kiddie
MITSUBISHI Motors New
Zealand has initiated a
solid marketing campaign
for its new sport utility
vehicle, the Eclipse Cross.
That doesn’t surprise me,
the newcomer is a smart
piece of kit and it deserves
to command a big slice of
the mid-size SUV market.
However, it must
be remembered that
Mitsubishi here has
another mid-size SUV
contender – the ASX –
and it has been heavily
facelifted for 2018.
Meaning active smart
crossover, the ASX was
introduced to New Zealand
in 2011 and has also been
a popular seller, its concept
appeals to family buyers at
a value-based entry point
as well, the new series
tempts from just under
$30k.
There are four models
in the ASX line-up, two
petrol and two diesel, the
latter in four-wheel-drive.
This evaluation focuses on
the entry-level two-wheeldrive
XLS at $29,990; an
extra $10,600 will get you
into a high-spec VRX,
while the two 2.3-litre diesel
models list at $41,990
and $45,990 respectively.
While I’d far prefer the
diesel, the carryover 2-litre
petrol engine is still a fine
unit, it is the same engine
which has powered Lancer
through the years.
The 1998cc unit develops
112kW and 200Nm,
and is paired to a six-step
continuously variable automatic
transmission and
drives through to the front
wheels. These power and
torque outputs are traditional,
they arrive tall in
the rev band at 6000rpm
and 4200rpm respectively;
nevertheless, when you
have the benefit of CVT
there is a constant point
of gearing which instantly
meets throttle request.
The ASX feels lively and
will cut out a standstill to
100km/h time in 9.9sec, it’s
also quite smart on a highway
overtake, 6sec to make
120km/h from 80km/h is
about the norm for a vehicle
such as this.
I took the test car inland
to Hororata and back
to my home through
Dunsandel and Coes Ford.
It cruises quietly at highway
speed and affords a
smooth ride. Sprung on
a fully independent front
strut/rear multiple link
system, the suspension’s
mechanical elements have
been developed without
compromising the ASX’s
function.
Body movement is
controlled without the
firming needed to arrest
gravitational force. Instead,
the ASX has spring and
damper rates engineered
so that the occupants reap
a comfortable ride without
being presented with a
lurch mid-corner.
• Price – Mitsubishi
ASX XLS, $29,990
• Dimensions –
Length, 4365mm;
width, 1810mm;
height, 1640mm
• Configuration –
Four-cylinder, frontwheel-drive,
1998cc,
112kW, 200Nm,
continuously variable
automatic
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 9.9sec
• Fuel usage –
7.6l/100km
The ASX is fitted with
tall 18in wheels, and shod
with quality Bridgestone
Dueler rubber (225/55),
there is strong steering
feel and plenty of grip on
offer.
I pointed the test car at
some tricky corners along
my test route, it turns nicely
and feeds to the steering
wheel positive information
as to how the tyres react
under pressure.
Even without four-wheeldrive
there is still the feel
that grip levels are elevated,
while balance and control
are fully retained. I like the
way the ASX drives, it’s no
MITSUBISHI ASX:
Choice of petrol or
diesel engines.
sports car but it does have
performance and handling
ability which is far in
excess of its purpose.
Although the XLS misses
out on leather trim and
a few other niceties, it
still gets a healthy level of
specification, and fabric
trim is by far my preference.
Mitsubishi has upped
the specification level in
the ASX; although most of
those additions are hidden,
they are electronic inclusions
for safety and infotainment.
In terms of fuel use,
Mitsubishi has done well
to lean out the engine. As
I remarked previously, it
has been around for some
time, but it is a fuel miser
and carries a 7.6-litre per
100km (37mpg) combined
cycle claim.
This is much the same
figure as the previous
generation model and
although I didn’t replicate
it, I did get close. The
fuel usage readout was
constantly listing around
8.1l/100km (35mpg)
during my time with the
test car, and I can report
a 5l/100km (56mpg)
instantaneous figure sitting
at a steady 100km/h. At
that speed the engine is
working over at a lazy
1700rpm in the tallest part
of the gearing.
Mitsubishi Motors
New Zealand is the
only new car company
operating here which
offers a 10-year/160,000km
powertrain warranty across
its entire range.
To me that says a lot
about the quality of the
product, and if you look
at how long the Lancer,
Outlander and ASX have
been available in our market,
that suggests they have
not only been well received
but have been built to last
the distance.
Car City
EST. 1973 ChCh
$91
pw
noW
$9,990
2006 Honda Crv
2.4, auto, alloys, ABS, twin airbags.
$10,990
NZ NEW
NOW
OPEN
Prestige
$14,999
2008 toyota hilux 5/cab 2wD
3.0 Turbo Diesel, 5 Speed, P/S, good size
galvanised deck, clean and tidy ute.
www.carcitychch.co.nz
* NO DEPOSIT SUBJECT TO NORMAL LENDING CRITERIA (no on road costs)
$148
pw
noW
$6,990
2005 toyota Will
1.3, auto, ABS, twin airbags
Plus orC $300
Cash Price $7,290
$7,990
275 Colombo St, Christchurch.
Cnr Colombo & Milton Sts. Ph: 337 9629.
$21,999
1998 toyota laNDcRuiSER Vx
4.2 Turbo Diesel auto, p/s, factory alloys,
last owner had 13 years,
new tyres, tidy all round.
354 St Asaph Street
Phone: 027 433 4404
2001 niSSan PriMEra S/W
2.5, auto, alloys, ABS, twin airbags.
$7,990
NZ NEW
Christchurch Commercials & 4x4's MVT
Quality, classic, luxury
www.magnumprestige.co.nz
Viewing by appointment
Phone: 03 379 3465 Text/Call: 027 533 7771
Email: paul@paulwallaceeuropean.com www.paulwallaceeuropean.com
$83
pw
noW
$6,990
$18,999
2003 toyota hilux x/cab 4x4
3L EFi, Diesel 5spd, p/s, new blackwells
flatdeck, new tyres, one owner ute.
20 Opawa Rd, Christchurch, Ph (03) 379 2675 • 361 Wilsons Rd, Christchurch, Ph (03) 982 8674
2013 ford rAnger wildtrAk
Chilli orange, heated leather seats,
60,000kms.
$41,999
2004 toyotA rAv4 4Wd
2000cc, cam chain, overdrive, tinted glass,
one NZ owner, ABS brakes,
excellent condition.
from No dep
now only
$9,990
Brand New MG 3 Style
Brand New, Stylish & Spacious 1500cc, multi airbags, all electrics,
sport leather trim, LED Daytime running lights, Multi-function
steering wheel, smartphone dock, so many features, test drive today!
ruN ouT SPECial $16,990
2005 ford territory tx AWd
from No dep
now only
$9,990
2009/10 toyotA PrAdo
New model, 4.0L, only 70,000kms,
sunroof, 7 seater, towbar. $39,999
4 litre, auto, AWD tiptronic, A/C, multiple
airbags, cruise control,
traction control, tints.
NZ NeW
Brand New MG GS Core
Brand New British designed, fun mid-size SUV, 6 year unlimited
kms factory warranty, rear parking sensors, 17” alloys, 6 airbags,
Bluetooth, ready to hit the road for a fun-filled adventure.
EvaluaTioN Car $27,990
$18,999
2011 ford fAlCoN fG xr6
4 litre, 6 speed auto, tiptronic, multi bags, ABS,
cruise, CD, A/C, travelled just 95,000kms,
like new.
from No dep
now only
$17,990
loW kms
Cnr Moorhouse Ave & Ferry Rd
Christchurch
03 379 4254
2007 BMW 120i Motorsport
Immaculate low km example, Full Motorsport specification,
looks superb in Blue Mica wih Msport black sports trim,
MSpec Alloys with Pirelli tyres. Only 30,000kms.
$15,550
Toyota Hiace Campervan
2 berth camper with low km diesel, roof rack, sun awning, very easy to drive.
Immaculate Condition – viewing will impress!
www.GATEWAYMOTORS.co.nz
296 Breezes Road, Christchurch (Cnr Breezes & Pages Road)
Phone: 03 421 5600 | Mobile: 027 631 2540