Key Points
- Mitsubishi has officially confirmed the ASX VR-e, its first battery electric vehicle since the i-MiEV, will launch in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026.
- The ASX VR-e will be offered in four variants: LS, Aspire, Exceed and GSR, though Mitsubishi has not yet released pricing or detailed specifications.
- Unverified reports based on earlier spy shots suggest a dual-motor option producing up to 298kW and a 57.5kWh LFP battery, but Mitsubishi has not confirmed these figures.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia has confirmed the ASX VR-e, a fully electric version of its popular compact SUV, will arrive in local showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The ASX VR-e is Mitsubishi's first battery electric vehicle in Australia since the i-MiEV, which was discontinued locally in 2015. The car is built in partnership with Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxtron Vehicle Technologies.
What Mitsubishi Has Confirmed
Mitsubishi announced the ASX VR-e will launch under four variants: LS, Aspire, Exceed and GSR. The company has not released pricing, battery capacity, range or power figures for any variant.
The ASX name carries over from Mitsubishi's existing compact SUV range. The VR-e designation is a nod to the Galant VR-4, a Mitsubishi performance sedan sold in the 1980s and 1990s.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia CEO Shunichi Kihara said the ASX VR-e marks a significant milestone for the brand's electrification plans in Australia, describing it as part of the company's Momentum 2030 strategy to expand its electrified line-up.
Design and Platform
The ASX VR-e sits on a platform co-developed with Italian design house Pininfarina. Mitsubishi says the exterior includes an S-Duct at the front bumper, which channels air over the bonnet to reduce drag, along with active grille shutters that adjust based on driving conditions.
Mitsubishi Prepares New Electric Vehicle For Australia With Local Tuning Already Underway
Potential Key Specs
Before Mitsubishi's official announcement, heavily camouflaged ASX VR-e prototypes were spotted testing on Melbourne freeways earlier in the year. Overseas variants point to two powertrain options: a single-motor rear-wheel-drive version and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version.
These figures are unverified and have not been confirmed by Mitsubishi.
Spec (unconfirmed) | Base RWD | Flagship AWD |
Power output | 171kW | 298kW |
0-100km/h | 6.8 seconds | 3.9 seconds |
Battery | 57.5kWh LFP | 57.5kWh LFP |
NEDC range | Up to 516km | Up to 466km |
These range figures use the NEDC test cycle, which typically returns higher numbers than the WLTP cycle used for most official Australian range ratings.
Pricing
Mitsubishi has not released pricing for the ASX VR-e. Unverified market speculation suggests the car could sit between $40,000 and $50,000 before on-road costs, positioning it against the BYD Atto 2, Jaecoo J5 EV and GWM Ora 5.
The petrol ASX range currently spans $37,740 to $46,490 before on-road costs, which some industry commentary has used as a reference point for where the electric version might land. None of this pricing is confirmed.
What Happens Next
Mitsubishi says full specifications and pricing for the ASX VR-e will be confirmed closer to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. Zecar will update this article once official figures are released.
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
