The 2027 Mitsubishi ASX VR-e GSR, which launches in mid- to late November, is claimed to be the quickest-accelerating Mitsubishi ever officially sold in Australia.
The top-spec dual-motor GSR is quoted to be capable of 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, and the brand’s local boss says the electric SUV will not be the last nod to the Lancer Evolution.
Speaking to media at a preview of the electric small SUV, Mitsubishi Motors Australia chief executive Shunichi Kihara said the company would keep its Evo heritage “in some shape or form”.
“Clearly, our brand heritage is around Pajero and Evo, and many people still talk about those products,” Kihara said.
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“That doesn’t mean we don’t do any kind of Evo type of vehicle, and that’s why we bring this VR-e with this strong performance.”
Kihara said the company has shifted its focus to SUVs and more adventure-oriented, capable vehicles, and that this would continue.
The brand’s new global flagship is the Pajero 4WD, powered by a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel priced from $68,490 before on-road costs and due in showrooms in December.
Australian pricing for the four-variant ASX VR-e range is yet to be announced.
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The ASX VR-e is a joint venture with Taiwanese company Foxtron, where it is sold as the Bria.
All four variants share a 57.7kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, with DC fast charging peaking at 134kW.
The LS, Aspire and Exceed trims are powered by a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, producing 171kW and 350Nm.
The flagship ASX VR-e GSR is a performance model, adding a second electric motor on the front axle, doubling the single-motor variants’ outputs to 342kW and 700Nm.
In Sport mode, the GSR’s torque split moves from 50:50 to 30:70 front to rear, though it reverts to an even split at full throttle, as the front and rear motors deliver identical peak power.
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“For twisty sections, it’ll have a rear-wheel-drive bias in that mode, which is quite fun and exciting to drive,” said Mitsubishi Australia product manager Tim Clarke.
Clarke said the VR-e badge calls back to the performance heritage of the Galant VR-4.
Asked whether a successful GSR could lead to an Evo-badged model, Clarke pointed to the Triton Raider as the template for promoting the brand’s motorsport heritage.
The Triton Raider program was developed and implemented locally, with a focus on handling on high-speed gravel roads.
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The ASX VR-e was tested and tuned locally at the former Holden proving ground at Lang Lang, where the dampers were retuned, the bump stops and electric power steering set up for local roads, and the springs potentially also changed.
“At the moment, we’re focused on the core model range,” Clarke said. “This is a new space for us, a new product, quite different.
“We need to make sure we get the fundamentals right for that product, and if it is a success, then we obviously look to build on that and expand it.”
Kihara said the company had noticed the demand for a performance revival, including in customer comments seen in Japan.
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“We are all aware of that desire in the market,” he affirmed.
In the June 2026 shareholder meeting in Tokyo, President and COO Keisuke Kishiura said the company wants to become capable of building another great car in the mould of the Lancer Evolution.
He called the Evo and Galant “treasures”.
The last Lancer Evolution performance sedan sold in Australia was the Evolution X Final Edition, which arrived in late 2015.
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