by New Mitsubishi Electric Car: Powerful, Stylish, and from Foxconn
The Japanese automaker Mitsubishi, whose model range has been rather monotonous lately, is preparing a surprise. The company plans to revitalize its offerings with a new fully electric car. Interestingly, this model, as has become a trend, will not be the brand’s own development.
Key facts about the upcoming novelty:
Collaboration with the iPhone Manufacturer
Mitsubishi has joined forces with the Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn, best known for assembling iPhones. Together they will present an electric hatchback based on the recently introduced Bria model from Foxtron, whose design was created by the famous Italian studio Pininfarina. This car, based on the impressive Model B concept, has already debuted in production form in Taiwan and could bring a much-needed dose of individuality to the Mitsubishi lineup.
Foxconn’s Pininfarina-Designed Model B Could Steal Tesla’s Thunder In The Small Segment
Technical Specifications and Power
The heart of the Bria is a 57.5 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery. Three model variants are currently confirmed. The Elegant and Emerge versions use a single 229-horsepower electric motor on the rear axle, allowing them to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. For those who want more power, there is the Pioneer model with two motors. With all-wheel drive and a combined output of 400 hp, it reduces the 0-100 km/h sprint time to just 3.9 seconds.
Testing in Australia and Possible Names
It is not yet clear whether the Mitsubishi version will retain the same technical specifications, but there is reason to believe so. Several months ago, a Model B prototype was spotted during testing in Melbourne, Australia, without any Foxtron branding. This is explained by the fact that the two companies view Australia as one of the most important markets for this car and are likely tuning the suspension for local road conditions.
The name of the electric car under the Mitsubishi brand has not yet been confirmed, but recent trademark filings point to a possible direction. According to data, the automaker has secured rights in Australia to the names “ASX GT-e” and “ASX VR-e”.
Dimensions and Design
In terms of dimensions, the Bria is 4315 mm long, 1885 mm wide, and 1535 mm high. This makes it slightly longer and wider than the Volkswagen Golf and comparable in scale to the electric MG 4.
Given that this is Foxconn’s first mass-produced electric car, the Bria makes a strong visual impression. It has nothing in common with what is currently in Mitsubishi’s model range, but this is unlikely to be a problem. Mitsubishi has a long history of selling rebadged models, so it is quite likely that the company will be happy to sell the Bria in its current form.
The appearance of such a car could be a real turning point for Mitsubishi in the electric vehicle market. Collaboration with Foxconn, which has vast experience in precision electronics manufacturing, could ensure high build quality. For consumers, important factors will be not only performance characteristics but also real-world range, charging speed, and, of course, a competitive price. The success of this model could largely depend on how successfully Mitsubishi can position it against established competitors such as the Volkswagen ID.3 or the aforementioned MG 4.
