Update for popular Mitsubishi ASX crossover

MITSUBISHI has given its popular ASX city-SUV an update for the 2012 model year, most notably offering a reversing camera on the volume-selling entry-level front-wheel drive variant for the first time.

The system incorporates a monitor in the electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, rather than the more traditional in-dash screen, to display footage from a rear-mounted camera while reversing.

It is fitted to the base 2WD model – which Mitsubishi says accounts for 70 per cent of all ASXs sold - as part of the $3700 Luxury Pack, which also includes steering wheel-mounted Bluetooth phone and audio controls, leather seat trim (the front pews are also heated) and a power-operated driver’s seat.

The Luxury package also includes cosmetic upgrades such as 17-inch alloy wheels, front foglights and chrome details that mimic the flagship Aspire AWD variant.

The entry-level ASX can now also be had with the more affordable Convenience Pack, which forgoes the reversing camera, 17-inch alloys, foglights and leather/heated seats but includes reverse parking sensors, Bluetooth phone connectivity with remote control and steering wheel-mounted audio controls for $500.

Further up the model tree, all ASX all-wheel drive variants now get the electro-chromatic mirror/monitor as standard with the exception of the Aspire, which instead retains the same dash-mounted rear-view camera display that was previously a standard feature on that variant.

The flagship variant also receives additional chrome touches to the instrument cluster and panel.

As part of the update, all two- and four-wheel drive, petrol and diesel variants in the ASX range gain new seat trim, a new rear-seat armrest with cupholders and various interior updates.

President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Australia, Genichiro Nishina, said: “With the growth in popularity of SUV vehicles, rear-view monitoring is an increasingly important safety factor, so we are very pleased to ensure a rear-view camera is available on all models in the ASX line-up.” Reversing camera availability bolsters the already generous list of standard safety equipment fitted to the ASX, which has achieved a maximum five-star rating from independent crash safety body ANCAP.

These features include Active Stability Control with Traction Control, Hill Start Control, Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist and seven airbags (driver, front passenger, side, curtain and driver’s knee-bag).

The drivetrain line-up for the ASX range is unchanged, with the front-drive variant continuing to be offered only with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 110kW of power and 197Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to either a five-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission.

Both the ASX AWD and AWD Aspire models are available with the choice of the 2.0-litre petrol engine with standard CVT transmission, or a 110kW/300Nm 1.8-litre turbo-diesel matched with a six-speed manual only.

The frugal oil-burning ASX has claimed fuel consumption of 5.9 litres per 100km and emits 155 grams of CO2 per km travelled.

The well-equipped range includes standard features on all variants such as climate-control with air filter, cruise control, an auxiliary and USB-compatible sound system and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The mid-range AWD variant gets these features plus an electronically controlled four-wheel drive system, foglights, Bluetooth compatibility, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and rear parking sensors.

The Aspire additionally receives a premium Rockford audio system with nine speakers, satellite-navigation, DVD player and reversing camera mounted into the dashboard.

Mitsubishi’s compact ASX has been a sales hit since it landed in Australia in August last year, giving the Japanese manufacturer a potent combination in the compact SUV segment alongside the bigger Outlander five- and seven-seater.

According to industry statistician VFACTS, the ASX has captured 5.3 per cent of the compact SUV segment so far in 2011 with 3616 sales.

MY2012 Mitsubishi ASX pricing:
ASX 2WD	$25,990
ASX 2WD (a)	$28,490
ASX 4WD petrol (a)	$31,990
ASX 4WD diesel (m)	$31,990
ASX Aspire petrol (a)	$36,990
ASX Aspire diesel (m)	$36,990