LA show: Mitsubishi uncovers new look ASX, Mirage

MITSUBISHI has revealed new faces for its Mirage city car and ASX crossover at the Los Angeles motor show, but only the tiny hatchback is locked in for an Australian launch.

The Mirage gets a restyled nose incorporating a redesigned bonnet, grille, front bumper, foglights and headlights, as well as a new rear spoiler and wheels. There is a prominent lower air intake featuring foglight surrounds that connect via an extended bar under the grille.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) head of corporate communications Shayna Welsh told GoAuto that the refreshed Mirage would arrive in local showrooms in the first half of 2016.

The mid-life update will replace the hatch that went on sale in Australia in early 2013, which was followed by a sedan version that arrived in July last year.

According to Mitsubishi, there are no changes to the 57kW/100Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, but it does get improvements to spring rate and dampers for added stiffness to the front end that the car-maker says has boosted handling and stability.

It also gets bigger front brake discs and the rear brake drums have increased by 23mm. Tweaks to the cabin include a new steering wheel, gauge cluster and new seat fabrics, while the US-spec versions also gain a new in-car display housing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the latter tech upgrades are unlikely to be offered in Australia.

While the Mirage is confirmed for Australia, MMAL is yet to sign on for the refreshed ASX, which was also shown in LA in its US-spec Outlander Sport guise.

Ms Welsh said Mitsubishi was in the process of determining if it will introduce the ASX styling changes to its Australian line-up.

“As far as the ASX goes, we are still looking at that particular styling,” she told GoAuto. “It is under consideration for the Australian market but we haven’ t made a decision on whether we will adopt the styling change. It is something that we are still considering.” Ms Welsh said the company's local arm would assess the public's response to the new-look crossover before it makes a final decision.

“We are trying to look at what is right for the Australian market, and the customers that like the ASX buy it because of the way that it looks, so we are going to wait and see what the reaction is like to the new look for ASX.” The Outlander Sport gains Mitsubishi's latest Dynamic Shield front design concept found on the Pajero Sport (formerly Challenger) and a number of concept cars, that features a blacked-out grille and lower air intake that houses the foglights.

Other tweaks include power folding exterior mirrors, new 18-inch wheel designs, wheel-arch mouldings, auto-dimming mirror and three new exterior colours. Inside it gets a new 6.1-inch display and new seat fabrics.

MMAL tweaked the ASX in June this year with minor trim changes, price adjustments and an upgraded audio system.

Ms Welsh said the facelifted Lancer, which was revealed last month, has been confirmed for Australia and it will arrive early in the New Year.

More details of Australian specification will be announced shortly, according to Ms Welsh.