After a long break of 8 years, Japanese automaker Mitsubishi motors is considering another comeback into the budget car segment with the Xpander MPV. The Xpander is a prominent rival of the Maruti Ertiga in international markets.
Mitsubishi India Managing Director Uttam Bose said that the company will concentrate on SUVs in the near future, and that it is considering the launch of the Mitsubishi Eclipse crossover and Xpander crossover-like MPV in the midsize segment.
Mitsubishi Xpander was globally unveiled last year as a midsize utility vehicle. The Mitsubishi Xpander is an SUV-inspired Maruti Suzuki Ertiga rival with a bulky, angular appearance. Essentially a people mover, Mitsubishi Xpander is a seven-seater model and is equipped with LED headlamps, LED taillights, touchscreen infotainment system, 16-inch alloy wheels and more.
The ground clearance is measured at 205 mm, which is quite good for a market like India. Mitsubishi Xpander measures 4475 mm in length, 1750 mm in width and 1700 mm in height as compared to the Ertiga which is 4,296 mm in length x 1,695 mm in width x 1,685 mm in height. This shows that the Xpander is bigger in every aspect when compared to the Maruti Ertiga.
The Mitsubishi Xpander will be powered by a 1.5-litre DOHC petrol engine with Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) that can produce 105 Bhp and 141 Nm of torque. The engine will be paired with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The new Xpander comes loaded with safety tech as well and comes with ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, ASC, Emergency Stop Signal system and more.
Speaking about launch timelines, Uttam Bose said that the models are expected to arrive only after two years. The company’s focus will be on improving localisation over the next five years in the country. Mitsubishi India is currently operating with 38 dealerships and aims to expand to 45 outlets by the end of this financial year. Expected timelines of the launch of the Mitsubishi Xpander in India is late 2019 or early 2020. As far as the pricing is concerned, the MPV should be launched in a price band ranging between Rs. 7-10 lakhs.
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