After a period of time in which Mitsubishi did not have any significant impacts on Indian auto market, some new products seem to be ready to be provided for Indian customers by this automaker. To be more specific, it is intending to introduce several brand-new products belonging to different categories, the Xpander in the MPV segment and the Eclipse Cross in the coupe-SUV segment.
Uttam Bose, Managing Director of Mitsubishi India revealed that they are planning to launch the Xpander after 2020. The Expander has been sold in some Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand.
Mitsubishi Xpander will be released in India in 2020
Because of the large dimension and a crossover-like look, the new Expander has a somewhat robust appearance. The expected competitors of the Expander include the forthcoming Maruti Ertiga, Honda BR-V and the Toyota Rush in the nearby markets. Let’s take a look at Mitsubishi’s specifications versus its contenders.
DIMENSIONS (MM) (INDONESIA- SPEC) | MITSUBISHI XPANDER | 2018 MARUTI ERTIGA | HONDA BR-V |
---|---|---|---|
Length | 4475 | 4395 | 4456 |
Width | 1750 | 1735 | 1735 |
Height | 1695 | 1690 | 1666 |
Wheelbase | 2275 | 2740 | 2662 |
Ground Clearance | 200 | 180 | 210 |
It is obvious from the table that the new Expander will be the highest, longest and widest in its segment. Thanks to its longest wheelbase, it will be the roomiest. When going off-road, it will be only “defeated” by BR-V with a 210-mm ground clearance.
Mitsubishi Xpander will be the roomiest in all four cars
The Mitsubishi Xpander is a keyless car which has push start/stop button, autocruise, tilt and telescopic driving wheel, 7-inch touchscreen with GPS navigation, and all three rows with 12V power outlets and cup holders. Safety features include two airbags in the front, Anti-lock Brake System with Electronic Brakeforce Limitation, Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control System, Hill Start Assist and parking sensors with backup camera. It is equipped with 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder MIVEC petrol engine, which produces 105PS at 6,000rpm and 141Nm at 4,000rpm. There are two options of transmission available, 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic.
Mitsubishi Xpander will have many outstanding features
The Mitsubishi Xpander sold in the Indonesian market costs from Rs 9.33 lakh to 12.20 lakh (exchanged from Indonesian Rupiah at the current exchange rates). Its price in India might be also identical, ranging between Rs 9 lakh to Rs 13 lakh. No information about its production has been revealed but it is expected to be locally built or Mitsubishi may just begin the production at the Chennai plant in India.
With its impressive specifications and features, Mitsubishi Expander has a marvellous opportunity to be warmly welcome in the Indian commuting segment, marking the recovery of Mitsubishi in Indian auto market.
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