Mitsubishi ASX 2015 News

Tesla has issued a voluntary recall for its electric Model S sedan and Model X SUV after discovering a potential manufacturing issue that could stop the electric park brake from functioning properly.

Half-time is typically a time for reflection.With six months of 2015 gone — and the official sales results arriving last week — it's time to look at what was hot and what was not in showrooms this year.At a glance, small cars are out and tiny SUVs are in. Diesels and hybrids are out, and turbocharged petrol cars are in. Luxury brands are in demand, local cars are not.Honda and Isuzu sales are surging, Ford and Holden have hit new lows.Sales of baby SUVs are up by 23 per cent in the first half of the year, thanks to the arrival of new offerings from Mazda and Honda. The surprise last month was that Honda's HR-V outsold Mazda's CX-3, despite a get-in price that is $5000 more than the baby Mazda. Buyers are no doubt attracted by the roominess of the Honda's cabin, which shares the clever design of its donor vehicle, the Jazz. Mitsubishi has also benefited from the increased showroom interest in this type of vehicle, with sales of its ASX surging by more than 45 per cent.They share their underpinnings with the new breed of SUVs, but they haven't been hurt by their arrival. Honda again leads the charge, with sales of its City sedan and Jazz hatch surging. Sales of the all-new Mazda2 are also strong and it remains best-selling car in the class. Other models that have captured the imagination of buyers are the evergreen Suzuki Swift and Toyota Yaris, as well as the Volkswagen Polo, which is up by more than 50 per cent thanks to sharp pricing.Low interest rates mean that a luxury badge is now within reach of more car buyers. As a result Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus are all enjoying double-digit growth. Understandably, most of the action is at the lower end of the market, with models high on the shopping list including BMW's Mini (up 59 per cent) and Audi's A3 (up 23 per cent). BMW's new 2 Series coupe and Lexus's NX small SUV have also launched with a bang, but the biggest success story is CarsGuide's 2014 Car of the Year, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which has doubled its sales in the first half of the year.Somebody is cashing in on Australia's property boom, with sales of sports cars costing more than $200,000 rising more than 20 per cent, albeit off a low base. Ferrari and Lamborghini dealerships are busy this year, with Ferrari logging 95 local sales compared with 52 in the same period last year and Lamborghini jumping from just seven sales to 60. The segment's most popular car, the Porsche 911, also enjoyed solid growth. At the other end of the spectrum, sales of affordable sports cars slumped as the initial shine predictably wore off the Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ and Hyundai Veloster. That will change, though, when Mazda's all-new MX-5 arrives in the second half of the year.They're big news in Japan and Europe, but micro cars haven't captured the Australian car buying public's imagination. Despite the arrival of an all-new model in the Suzuki Celerio and a midlife update for the Nissan Micra, sales are down by almost a third.They're still the nation's car of choice, but the arrival of baby SUVs has put a dent in the popularity of the small-car brigade led by the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3. This time last year, the Mazda3 was the top-selling vehicle in Australia, but sales this year are down by almost 10 per cent, cannibalised by the newer and funkier CX-3. Toyota, which has no mini-SUV in its range, fared better with the Corolla, which almost held its own in a market segment that shrank by 10,000 cars.When locally made cars began to slide in popularity, most pundits said it was because they were too big and thirsty, but the figures show otherwise. Large cars are down by 14 per cent this year, but medium and large SUVs have enjoyed solid growth. Toyota's Camry, which has a hybrid version, has fared better than the rest of the locals, but the Holden Cruze small car has experienced a bigger sales slide than Ford's Falcon and Territory. Overall, the prognosis remains bleak. Australians bought almost as many German-made cars as locally-made ones in the first six months.The Europeans are mad for it — and most 4WD utes use it too — but Australians, it seems, don't like getting their hands dirty. After an initial spike in interest in diesel passenger cars and SUVs among private buyers and fleets between 2005 and 2010, the interest continues to wane. Sales of diesel passenger cars grew sixfold from 2005 to 2010, while diesel SUV sales more than doubled. But in the first six months of this year — and on the back of a decline last year — sales of diesel cars fell by more than a quarter. Diesel SUV sales were stagnant despite big growth in overall SUV sales.Honda - up 33.4 per centIsuzu - up 30.3 per centSkoda - up 30.2 per centRenault - up 30.1 per centLexus - up 24.9 per centFord - down 17.6 per centVolvo - down 16.6 per centFiat - down 16.4 per centHolden - down 8.9 per centNissan - down 0.6 per centToyota - 101,714 - up 0.6 per centMazda - 56,591 - up 9 per centHolden - 51,737 - down 8.9 per centHyundai - 50,099 - up 1 per centMitsubishi - 35,866 - up 9.8 per centFord - 34,810 - down 17.6 per centNissan - 32,950 - down 0.6 per centVolkswagen - 32,020 - up 12.1 per centSubaru - 21,659 - up 8.1 per centHonda 20,602 - up 33.4 per centToyota Corolla - 21,750Mazda3 - 20,427Toyota HiLux - 18,781Hyundai i30 - 15,801Ford Ranger - 14,144Holden Commodore - 13,769Mitsubishi Triton - 13,709Mazda CX-5 - 12,489Volkswagen Golf - 11,829Toyota Camry - 10,426

June is by far the biggest month for new-car sales as dealers push hard to close their books for the financial year.The devaluing Aussie dollar means the deals for all brands are not as sharp as in previous years — but if you know where to look you can still drive a bargain.Some models are in run-out, so there is an extra push on those, while other brands have taken the knife to the RRP because they're chasing volume for their overseas parent companies.Here are the 15 best deals for the end of the financial year plus a few tips on those either to avoid or to haggle harder on.Suzuki CelerioThe cheapest car from a mainstream brand isn't discounted — because it launched with such a sharp price: $13,990 drive-away with automatic transmission effectively makes this a $10,000 car plus on-road costs. Astonishingly cheap and giving plenty of reason to cheer. With a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, it'll run on loose change.VW Polo 66TSIRecent deals on the Toyota Yaris ($17,990 drive-away with auto) and Hyundai i20 ($14,990 drive-away with auto) have evaporated this month (still might be worth a try). The Holden Barina and Ford Fiesta deals are not that sharp either. Enter the Polo 66TSI at $18,490 drive-away with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Its turbo 1.2-litre four-cylinder is powerful (for its size) and super-efficient. Stock is thin on the ground so be sure to shop around.Kia CeratoDeals on the VW Golf ($25,490 drive-away with auto), Toyota Corolla sedan ($23,990 drive-away with auto) and Mazda3 (you're invited to talk a deal) are not as generous as in previous months, while Nissan is offering $2800 of "extra value" but no driveaway deals on Pulsar SSS. No-one can compete with the South Koreans this month. The Cerato sedan or hatch with automatic is still an incredible $19,990 drive-away (with seven-year factory-backed warranty). At $4300 off, we called it deal of the decade — until...Hyundai i30Holy smoke. This wasn't a misprint: $19,990 drive-away — with automatic transmission — for the recently updated i30 hatch, with the new nose and standard reversing camera. That's more than $5000 off full price, eclipsing Kia's deal.VW JettaFancy some European flair? Don't mind driving a sedan? The VW Jetta is $24,490 drive-away with auto. That's $1000 cheaper than the Golf with which it shares its engine and underpinnings. And it has a bigger boot.Kia KoupTreat yourself to something a bit sporty — the Koup has European styling and a 1.6-litre turbo engine and can be had for $23,990 drive-away, about $6000 off full price.Holden TraxIt may not be the prettiest on sale, but it's one of the roomiest and best equipped for the money. Now $23,990 drive-away for the LS with free auto, and $24,990 drive-away for the Active with free auto. Both are about $6000 off the full RRP.Ford Kuga MkIIAn unsung hero of the compact SUV segment, it's good buying at $29,790 drive-away (about $3000 off). Don't be put off by the 1.5-litre four-cylinder in such a big car. It's turbocharged, so it has plenty of oomph, and the smaller capacity makes it more fuel efficient. Only blot: no rear camera.Mitsubishi ASXRecently updated, the ASX gets a sharp price: $25,000 drive-away for a manual or $27,500 drive-away for an auto. That price is for cash or via Mitsubishi's own finance deal — which has a catch. You must have a 20 per cent deposit.Mazda CX-9The CX-9 is nearing the end of its model life. Its petrol V6 isn't the most fuel-efficient but this is the biggest seven-seater for the money. The 2WD base model is a bargain at $39,990 drive-away (about $6000 off full price).Holden Colorado7 LTWant to get off the beaten track and don't mind a bouncy ride around town? The Colorado7, normally $47,490 plus on-roads (about $50,000 drive-away), is available until June 30 from $43,990 drive-away, about $6000 off — with five-year warranty and three years' free servicing.Mitsubishi ChallengerThe Challenger is fairly crude, even by heavy-duty 4WD standards, and ageing. Its replacement is due within months — which is why the price is a super-sharp $37,990 drive-away, about $10,000 off full price.Holden ColoradoThere are a couple of good deals, starting with $36,990 drive-away for the base model LS (auto adds $1000). The range-topping LTZ with all the bling is $42,990 drive-away for the manual (aim for $44,990 drive-away for the auto). This is a mega discount of more than $10,000. Holden includes a five-year warranty and three years' free servicing.Toyota HiLux SR5With a completely new HiLux due in October, discounts are steady on the run-out model. The SR5 crew-cab manual is back to its previous low of $47,990 drive-away, auto is $49,990 drive-away.VW AmarokJoining in the tradie discount war, VW continues its free eight-speed auto deal on all Amaroks. The base model crew-cab Core is sharp buying at $38,990 drive-away while the Trendline adds bigger alloys and some bling for $43,990 drive-away. Both are about $6000 off full price.

The latest sales figures show we are now buying almost as many SUVs as we are buying regular cars.In the first three months of this year, SUVs of all shapes and sizes represented a staggering 42 per cent of all passenger cars sold (95,000 of 224,000), according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.Sales of SUVs have almost doubled in the past 10 years, from 173,000 in 2004 to 352,000 last year.The industry believes the SUV boom will continue until at least 2020, where they may even overtake passenger cars.It costs little more to get into an SUV these days than it does to buy a hatchbackThe new generation of city-sized SUVs, or "faux-wheel-drives", are essentially a high-riding hatchback — and most lack a proper all-wheel-drive system or sufficient ground clearance to climb a street gutter."Buyers love the tall driving position, and the flexibility of a wagon without looking like they're driving a wagon," says Richard Johns of Australian Automotive Intelligence.Mr Johns said price was also a factor in the popularity of SUVs."It costs little more to get into an SUV these days than it does to buy a hatchback," he said."The most popular SUV models also cost less than the typical $35,000 starting for the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon."Love them or hate them, sales of SUVs are driving the record growth in the new-car market.Last month, an Australian record for car sales in March, SUV deliveries were up by 15 per cent in a market that was up by 8 per cent.Honda sold more HR-Vs than Civic hatchbacks, Hyundai sold more ix35s than it did of its Accent small car, the Mitsubishi ASX outsold the Lancer, Toyota sold more RAV4s than it did Toyota Yaris hatchbacks and Nissan sold twice as many X-Trails as it did Pulsar sedans and hatches.And the pint-sized Mazda CX-3 outsold the Ford Falcon in March, even though the just-released Mazda had only been on sale for the last eight days of the month.The SUV specialist brands are cashing in. Jeep sales were up 15 per cent and Land Rover up 19 per cent last month.The SUV phenomenon has also hit the top end of town.SUVs now account for more than half of the sales for Toyota's luxury division Lexus, and its oddly-styled NX SUV was the brand's biggest selling model in March.The Porsche Cayenne and Macan SUVs each outsell the 911 sports car by more than four to one.BMW this week released a $200,000 high performance version of its 2.2 tonne BMW X5 that can outrun a Porsche 911.Even Rolls-Royce has joined the fray, planning to release an SUV within the next three years, although it refuses to use the term "SUV", preferring instead to call it a "high riding vehicle".Clearly some people still look down on SUVs.

Mitsubishi has released the first images and details of the new XR-PHEV II SUV concept which will debut at the Geneva motor show next month. An evolution of the XR-PHEV concept shown at Tokyo in 2013, this latest creation looks to be closer to a production model and likely hints at a replacement for the current ASX small SUV.Like the previous XR-PHEV, the new concept also uses a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that likely previews a production model that would sit beneath the existing Outlander PHEV. The XR II shares its 2670mm wheelbase with the current ASX but is slightly longer overall, wider and taller and features a significantly more muscular and daring design.A unique and heavily defined character line runs the length of the car and blends into the rear tailgate and the design features a Range Rover Evoque-like rising belt line.The XR PHEV II's look is a dramatic departure from Mitsubishi's current design language and features noticably more aggressive and angular lines, which are likely to be toned down for production. Powering the concept is a small petrol engine combined with a 120kW electric motor driving the front wheels. Like the Outlander PHEV, the XR PHEV II runs in full electric mode ordinarily, but the petrol engine will chime in if the batteries need to be charged or if extra urge is needed - the combustion engine can work as either a generator or directly power the wheels. The driver is also able to control the hybrid powertrain manually through selectable drive modes, allowing for full combined power or pure electric driving at any time.  Mitsubishi claims the car is able to emit less than 40g/km of CO2 while also benefiting from the instant power and torque provided by electric motors.

New Honda Jazz sets new benchmark for rear view cameras: $14,990.

Mitsubishi has issued a safety recall on their diesel ASX SUV for faulty piston rings that could become stuck while in operation, due to soot deposits collecting in the piston ring grooves because of a glitch in the software that is supposed to prevent deposits accumulating.The recall notice affects 1588 ASXs built in 2011 and 2012 powered by the 4N13 1.8-litre diesel engine. The defect could see the pistons overheat and melt, with affected vehicles stalling and becoming impossible to restart, Mitsubishi says.However the carmaker says there have been no reported incidents in Australia related to the fault, which will take about 20 minutes to rectify with a software update, spokesman John Taylor says.Owners who believe their vehicles may be affected by the recall are advised to drive gently until able to have their ASX inspected by their closest Mitsubishi dealer and fixed if needed.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Mitsubishi has repositioned the price tags of several ASX models, and boosted their spec lists to sweeten the deal. The entry level 2WD ASX now costs $24,990 for a five speed manual or $26,990 if you opt for the automatic CVT gearbox. This represents a $1000 and $1250 saving respectively over the outgoing model.Those looking for extra traction can choose the all-wheel drive model at $33,490 for the CVT, saving $1000 over the outgoing model. Additions across the range are 17-in alloy wheels, chrome grille, reverse parking sensors and reversing camera with parking referencing lines. The entertainment system has been upgraded too, featuring a 6.1” colour screen and voice controls for Bluetooth.Mitsubishi has also upgraded the shape of the cushions in the back seat, and updated the suspension aiming to deliver a better ride quality. Tweaks have been made to the cabin in a bid to reduce road noise too. Modest fuel economy improvements are claimed on petrol models. This is attributed to a new manifold catalytic converter and air flow sensor and injector, bringing fuel consumption down by 0.1L/100km in the manual and 0.2L/100km in the CVT.Buyers looking for a little extra equipment can chose the ASX Aspire, with the 2WD now scoring roof rails and a panoramic roof (previously only standard on AWD Aspire models). Also on the new standard list is the Multi Communication System – which adds a 7” colour screen, 3D navigation mapping and an SD card input.Mitsubishi spokesperson Caitlin Beale says the MCS is worth about $2000. Previously, the system was part of an option pack worth $2995 that also included a Rockford Fosgate sound system with 9 speakers. Aspire models get four speakers and two tweeters as standard instead. Savings of $1500 apply to the Aspire 4WD model which now costs $33,490. The Aspire 2WD is the only model to receive a price increase of $250, now listed at $31,490.Those looking to select their own gears to save $2500 on an Aspire will be disappointed to know the slow-selling manual transmission can no longer be had in the 2WD Aspire – an option previously available for $28,990. The recently launched 110kW, 2.2-litre turbodiesel mated to a six speed automatic and all-wheel drive retains its $31,990 price, and the top of the range Aspire diesel remains at $36,490 as well.

Just seven months after launching a refreshed ASX range Mitsubishi has added a new model to the stable. For the first time ASX will have an all-wheel-drive, turbodiesel variant with an automatic transmission. The company also confirmed at the launch of the latest ASX that the current 1.8-litre turbo diesel, only available with a manual shifter, will be phased out later in the year. The smaller diesel was a stop-gap model to introduce diesel to the small SUV range. Mitsubishi’s market research shows automatic diesels in the compact SUV segment in Australia dominate sales, well ahead of manual versions. Mitsubishi is not the first importer to have added an auto diesel to their stable. Subaru introduced a diesel auto to its Outback AWD range early this year. The research also found more women than men are buying ASX-size SUVs - indicating their dominant use as a family-friendly wagon. The ASX diesel auto drivetrain is a direct lift out of the larger Mitsubishi Outlander SUV. There are two equipment levels for the new diesel ASX, the ASX 2.2 at $31,990 and the ASX 2.2 Aspire at $36,490. The new ASX 2.2 offers combined fuel consumption of 5.8 litres/100 km - just above the 5.7 litres/100 km delivered by the current 1.8 litre ASX diesel manual. Emissions are also line ball and meet tough European standards. The new diesel has a braked towing rate of 1400 kg while the variant tips the scales at 1530 kg. The new engine is hooked up to a six-speed conventional transmission with a flick-across option to change manually. The Aspire variant also offers steering wheel paddles to change cogs. We took the both ASX 2.2 AWD auto diesel variants for a run through the Adelaide Hills towards Murray Bridge giving the opportunity to test handling and acceleration and the diesel/auto combination in a variety of road conditions. After almost 300 kilometres we can say this new variant is the pick of the bunch offering economy and performance in a neat package. The turbo-diesel and the 6-speed auto are a good match and the SUV is quick both off the mark and the vital passing range between 80 - 110 km/h range. Gear changes are slick and smooth. At 110 km/h the new ASX is ticking over at around 1800 km/h ensuring low fuel consumption for highway running. Mitsubishi ASX product planner, Ania Ciccarello, said growth in the small or compact SUV segment was strong with sales doubling between 2010 when 30,000 were sold, rising to 60,683 in 2012. It was a segment dominated by women and parents which research shows are placing high importance on reliability, safety, value and economy. The ASX comes with a 5-star ANCAP safety rating with seven airbags, reversing camera, stability control, hill start, Iso-Fix children's seat anchors. The top-of-the-line Aspire also gains Mitsubishi's Multi Communication System (MMCS) as standard and uses a bigger 7-inch colour touchscreen with satellite navigation with 3D mapping and SD car input. Aspire also gains leather trim, smart key entry with a one-touch start system, auto rain-sensing wipers, auto dusk sensing headlights, power driver's seat, front row heated seats, panoramic roof and LED lighting strip. Mitsubishi expects to sell around 150 ASX 2.2 auto AWD diesels a month. Interestingly, Mitsubishi Australia is dropping the 2WD Challenger from the line-up to concentrate on it's tough 4WD off-roader capability. The Mitsubishi ASX range is (pricing as of July 2013): ASX 2WD 5MT: from $25,990 ASX 2WD CVT: from $28,240 ASX 2WD Aspire 5MT: from $28,990 ASX 2WD Aspire CVT: from $31,240 ASX 4WD 2.2L Turbo Diesel  6AT: from $31,990 ASX 4WD Aspire 1.8L Turbo Diesel  6MT: from $34,990 ASX 4WD Aspire CVT: from $34,990 ASX 4WD Aspire 2.2 Turbo Diesel  6AT: from $36,490  

This limited edition Mitsubishi ASX builds on the popular 2WD variant with a number of interior and exterior upgrades. Like most vehicles in the MY12 update, the Anniversary ASX has a rear-view camera. The monitor automatically appears in the electro-chromatic rear-view mirror when reverse gear is engaged. It is available with a 2.0-litre, four cylinder DOHC 16 valve MIVEC engine coupled with either five-speed manual transmission or CVT with INVECS III. The special edition ASX's interior receives a number of luxury upgrades including leather seat trim, heated front seats and power driver's seat while cabin convenience is enhanced through the inclusion of steering wheel audio controls and Bluetooth. The addition of 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome muffler tip, privacy glass and special edition 30th Anniversary badges updates the exterior while the striking ROAR body-kit, which includes front air dam, front bumper cover, rear air dam and single rear muffler, enhances the sporty lines of the ASX. Prices start at $28,990 for the manual.