The Nikkei newspaper announced on February 14, 2024 that Mitsubishi Motors will end production of the crossover SUV “RVR” around April 2024. The overseas model will undergo a full model change and will continue to be sold in its fourth generation, becoming an overseas-only model.
Mitsubishi Motors “RVR” to end sales in Japan
According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Mitsubishi Motors has seen sales of its model slump as other domestic manufacturers have launched SUVs, and it is no longer clear that it will be able to recover the development costs required to comply with regulations.
Mitsubishi Motors “RVR” History
It is a tall wagon/crossover SUV type passenger car manufactured and sold by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.
The “RVR” was announced in February 1991 during the RV boom.
It was a tall wagon with a crossover SUV-like design, featuring a shortened chassis structure from the second-generation Chariot, two rows of seats, and a sliding door on one side. Two rear seat configurations were available: a standard three-seater (for a total of five passengers) and a two-seater with long sliding seats (for a total of four passengers). The four-seater version offered ample interior space with ample legroom in the rear seats, depending on the seating arrangement. Sales of the model ended in November 1997, replacing the second-generation model.
Full model change in November 1997
Like its predecessor, it used shortened parts from the Chariot Grandis, its successor. While the Chariot became a 3-number size, the RVR was divided into two models: the 5-number minivan-like “GDI RVR” and the 3-number crossover SUV “RVR Sports Gear.” While it retained the features of its predecessor, such as the long sliding seat and rear sliding door, the shift lever was changed from a floor shift to an instrument panel shift to achieve a walk-through layout like its rivals. Sales ended in January 2003.
February 17, 2010: Full model change
Nissan announced that the new compact SUV scheduled for release in spring 2010 will be sold in Japan as the “RVR,” marking the revival of the “RVR” name after an eight-year absence. Outside of Japan, the car will be sold as the ASX ( short for Active Sports Crossover ( X -over)) in Europe, South America, Australia, Jamaica, China, Taiwan, Russia, and Brazil, the Outlander Sport in the United States , and the RVR in South Korea and Canada, the same as in Japan . Production will end in April 2024.
Mitsubishi Motors “RVR” overseas model
On September 21, 2022, leveraging the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, the new Mitsubishi ASX, based on the Captur, was unveiled in Europe, with sales beginning in March 2023. Mitsubishi Motors Europe announced the new ASX (known as the RVR in Japan) on September 20, 2022. Giving new meaning to the term “badge engineering,” the new model is virtually identical to the Renault Captur, with differences in the front grille trim.
Mitsubishi new “ASX (RVR)” full model change European model
The new CMF-B platform will be adopted, following the fifth-generation new Clio . CMF (Common Module Family) is a platform jointly developed by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Renault. CMF is basically composed of five modules: “cockpit,” “engine,” “front underbody,” “rear underbody,” and “electronic architecture.” It is equipped with an “E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid System.”
New CMF-B platform
Conventionally, platforms were designed, developed, and manufactured for each segment, but by increasing the number of modules common to multiple platforms, components can be shared and the system was developed to increase the number of vehicles per platform. This makes it possible to deploy a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars to large sedans and SUVs, and at the same time, it also plays a role in reducing expenses for all items by taking advantage of economies of scale that are characteristic of the Renault-Nissan Alliance and efficiently reducing development costs, the number of parts, manufacturing costs, and construction times.
The interior is available in three versions: a 7-inch screen, a 7-inch with navigation, and a 9.3-inch with navigation, and features the new “Easy Link smartphone-style infotainment system.” It is compatible with “Android Auto” and “Apple CarPlay.” The meter is equipped with a “7- or 10-inch TFT digital screen.” Luggage capacity is 536L.
Mitsubishi new “ASX (RVR)” full model change equipped engine
The plug-in hybrid model “Capture PHEV” is equipped with a 1.6L gasoline engine and two electric motors. It has a 9.8 kWh battery, a maximum EV speed of 135 km/h, and a WLTP mode EV range of 45 km when using charging power. Of course, a gasoline model is also available.
| Specifications | 100TCe |
|---|---|
| engine | 1.0L inline 3-cylinder turbo engine |
| Maximum power | 100ps |
| Maximum torque | 160Nm |
| transmission | 6-speed EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) |
| Drive system | 2WD/4WD |
| Specifications | 130TCe |
|---|---|
| engine | 1.3L inline 3-cylinder turbo engine |
| Maximum power | 130ps |
| Maximum torque | 240Nm |
| transmission | 7-speed DCT/6-speed MT |
| Drive system | 2WD/4WD |
| Specifications | 155TCe |
|---|---|
| engine | 1.5L inline 3-cylinder turbo engine |
| Maximum power | 155ps |
| Maximum torque | 270Nm |
| transmission | 7-speed DCT/6-speed MT |
| Drive system | 2WD/4WD |
Mitsubishi’s new “ASX (RVR)” Advanced Driver Assistance System
It comes with a host of standard and available safety features, including Traffic Sign Recognition with Speed Alert, Active Emergency Braking, Cruise Control with Speed Limiter, LED headlights with automatic high beams, Highway & Traffic Jam Companion, Adaptive Cruise Control, Departure Warning, Lane Assist, 360-degree Parking Camera and more.
Mitsubishi News Release
https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/jp/newsrelease/2022/detail5651.html
Mitsubishi Motors
