Revamped Mitsubishi Xpander in Indonesia wears new look, running gear, interior kit

MANILA: Are we looking at the next iteration of the Mitsubishi Xpander in the Philippines?

Mitsubishi in Indonesia revealed the new Xpander crossover MPV, which the carmaker said features a "refreshed design and an enhanced eco-friendliness." 

Up front, the new Xpander wears a reskinned Dynamic Shield fascia with a horizontal bumper and a three-dimensional skid plate. Reshaped T-shaped headlights are incorporated, and for the higher trim levels, LED is used to secure good forward visibility.

The rear design of the new Xpander wears a horizontally styled rear bumper and T-shaped tail lights, which are now full LED units to improve visibility at night.

Another design highlight of the new Xpander is its ride height, which Mitsubishi said has been raised to  220 millimeters for the CVT-equipped Xpander and 225mm for the manual. The measurements are "a top-level in its class while also improving off-road performance."

As for the "enhanced eco-friendliness," the crossover MPV has been fitted with a CVT gearbox.  "When the accelerator is lightly depressed, smooth shifting unique to CVT maximizes engine performance while realizing high fuel efficiency and quietness," Mitsubishi described the CVT.

Meanwhile, an external EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system is newly adopted for the engine to achieve low fuel consumption without compromising on engine output performance.

Inside, the center console is redesigned with a large-capacity open tray to easily hold a smartphone, and an armrest that can store four 600ml plastic bottles. The new center console may be a result of the new electronic handbrake, which replaces the old pull-type unit. 

To enhance comfort in the new Xpander's rear seats, Type-A and Type-C USB charging outlets are installed on the back of the center console for models equipped with armrests, and cup holders are newly added to the armrest of the second row seats.

Other interior highlights of the new Xpander include a redesigned steering wheel, with a restyled grip size and shape to allow easy and confident grip for the driver. Moreover, the quality of the interior space is upgraded by using soft pads with synthetic leather and real stitching for the armrest and door trim.

Additionally, new features include an air-conditioning panel with a liquid crystal display that makes it easy to check the fan level and temperature settings at a glance, and a high-contrast meter display with new graphic design.

Photos from Mitsubishi

Also read: Mitsubishi Xpander Cross named Best Compact Carrier in 17th C! Awards