Mitsubishi XFC Concept previews brand's small crossover contender

MANILA: The tiny SUV concept car Mitsubishi XFC Concept just had its world debut in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The car will be on display at Vietnam Motor Show 2022 to be held from Oct. 26 to 30, 2022.

The Mitsubishi XFC Concept, a next-generation compact SUV with the tagline "best-suited buddy for an exciting life," boasts a powerful and imposing design, utility features like easy handling and a generous cargo space, comfort features like a class-leading interior space, and safe, secure road handling even on bumpy surfaces or roads that have been inundated by heavy rains.

"We will launch the new compact SUV sequentially in the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) markets including Vietnam in fiscal year 2023," said Takao Kato, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Motors.

"In the future, we plan to add an electrified variant to the lineup and to also roll it out in regions outside Asean. We hope to grow the model from a vehicle for the Asean market to a global strategic vehicle, making it a core model like the sales-leading Xpander crossover MPV (multi-purpose vehicle)."

Currently not offered in the Asean portfolio is the compact SUV known as the Mitsubishi XFC Concept.

Along with the Triton pickup truck and Pajero Sport midsize SUV, Outlander and Outlander PHEV midsize SUVs, Xpander and Xpander Cross crossover MPVs, and Mirage compact hatchback and Attrage sedan, it completes Mitsubishi Motors' extensive line of products designed for the Asean market.

The Mitsubishi XFC Concept embodies the "Robust & Ingenious" design ethos of Mitsubishi Motors, by fusing a tiny yet formidable SUV aura with a smooth surface that forms one continuous flow that begins at the front three-diamond logo and extends to the sides and rear. This gives it a fashionable and athletic profile that complements Asean cityscapes.

Additionally, the Mitsubishi XFC Concept emphasizes toughness and agility while sporting an original SUV style that sticks out in outdoor environments. This is made possible by having plenty of ground clearance and wide wheels, which improve road handling on uneven roads.

The Dynamic Shield concept at the front has developed in step with the concept and expresses both performance and protection. The daytime running lights (DRL) underneath the L-shaped headlight unit combine to create the recognizable T-shape of illumination that conveys a sense of width.

Rich, muscular surfaces make up the body's sides, while the front and rear fender flares and character lines are sculpted to represent the SUV's power and energy. Similar to the front, the rear also has T-shaped tail lights to emphasize width and stability in the design.

Easy operation and comfort are provided inside, which are prerequisites for an SUV. A horizontally themed design is used for the instrument panel, which enhances forward visibility while also making it simpler to detect changes in the vehicle's posture when driving over uneven terrain.

While a succession of soft padding and the dynamic design that stretches from the instrument panel to the door trim give a sense of enclosure and protection to produce a safe and comfortable interior.

The Mitsubishi XFC Concept is made to be simple to drive, with strong sight up front, clear idea of the car's size, and easy handling.

In order to provide a safe and comfortable driving environment and to convey a sense of advanced design, the instrument panel has a large display panel that integrates a full digital driver display and a center display that can show three separate pieces of information, such as navigation, road surface conditions, and other information necessary for driving on one screen.

The Mitsubishi XFC Concept has a small body, yet it is also functional and has a lot of luggage space.

Although it is a compact SUV, the Mitsubishi XFC Concept comes with a spacious cabin area. In particular, with its generous legroom in the rear seats, it offers top-level comfort in its class. Moreover, everyone on board can feel safe and reassured, with vehicle stability control in slippery road conditions and high-quality ride comfort.

The Mitsubishi XFC Concept offers a fun, safe, and comfortable ride in a variety of weather and road situations thanks to its ample ground clearance and four drive modes: Normal, Wet, Gravel, and Mud.

The Wet mode was initially debuted in a Mitsubishi car and was created with use in Asean countries in mind, allowing safe driving even on roadways inundated by unexpected downpours.

Photos from Mitsubishi

Also read: Mitsubishi to roll out 2023 Outlander PHEV in North America next month