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| Mitsubishi ASX Black first drive |
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| Monday, 23 January 2012 10:00 |
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On the one hand they are very eager to talk about and promote their GREEN credentials with their current electric car the i-MiEV and future plug-in electric and electric- hybrid models on the way. But they are also promoting the merits of their better known and core business, more profitable and more in demand 4x4 and SUV models. Their long serving Shogun heavyweight 4x4 range has recently had a BLACK added specification variant added to its line-up as has the lightweight mid-sized ASX crossover – the Black but still GREEN, low CO2 emission SUV. THE ASX is Mitsubishi’s best selling 4x4/SUV model range with around 3,000 annual UK sales. The ASX is a lower medium sector (Ford Focus size) crossover with the option of two and four wheel drive versions. The main sales contender in this crossover segment is the Nissan Qashqai which is so popular it gets itself into the UK’s top ten sales chart finishing in ninth place in 2011 with 39,406 sales. Crossovers, as a reminder, are generally SUV look-alikes, but with two or four wheel drive model options. They have versatile seating and load carrying options, car like driving and comfort characteristics and are more affordable to buy and run than full-blown SUVs and 4x4s. The Mitsubishi ASX range is available with a choice from four specification levels, 2, 3, 4 and a new Black version. There is also the choice of a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a five speed manual gearbox and with two wheel drive and a 1.8-litre DI-D diesel engine with a six speed manual gearbox and available with two or four wheel drive. Unfortunately there is no automatic transmission option for either engine, a popular choice for retail buyers in this sector.
The ASX incorporates Mitsubishi’s RISE safety technology (which dissipates the energy from the impact away from the passenger compartment) as well as ABS anti-lock braking, Active Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist an Emergency Stop Signal System and seven airbags as standard. The ASX has a 5 Star Euro NCAP safety rating. The ASX comes in colours other than black in the form of blue, white, silver, grey and red. From the outside the new Mitsubishi ASX Black boasts a dynamic chunky appearance with the introduction of satin black styling kit which includes striking black 17-inch alloy wheels, roof, spoiler, mirrors, grille and fog lamp bezels. The interior benefits from the addition of special edition black leather with carbon fibre inserts. Other items carried over from the ASX 4 specification include a Kenwood sat/nav system, reversing camera, iPod connection and as mentioned stability and traction control. Usual features such as electrically operated windows and mirrors and air conditioning are included. CO2 emission lowering specification includes Auto Stop & Go and unusually for a diesel engine variable valve timing. There is also energy saving electronic power steering, low rolling resistance tyres, regenerative power harvesting through braking and low energy LED lighting. For this road test I tried the 1.8 DI-D 2WD ASX Black 2011 model year vehicle with 147bhp and 221lb ft of torque from 2,000rpm giving a top speed of 124mph and zero to 62mph takes a swift 9.7 seconds. Official fuel economy in the combined cycle is 51.4mpg with CO2 emissions of 145g/km. My test drive over a period of a week resulted in an overall average of remarkable 58.9mpg. On one occasion the figure was even higher after a long A road journey with a 50mph speed limit when 62.4mpg appeared on the computer for much of the journey. The low-ish CO2 emissions mean road tax is £130 a year and company car tax 22 per cent. In the first quarter of 2012 Mitsubishi will introduce a revised version of this 1.8-litre engine which is even more frugal on fuel with lower CO2 emissions but although the torque figure remains the same it is available from 1,750rpm. Surprisingly the power output has been significantly reduced to just 114bhp and that means the top speed is lower at 117mph and zero to 62mph takes 10.2 seconds. The official fuel economy figure improves to 54.3mpg, CO2 emissions are lower at 136g/km which means lower road tax cost at £115 a year and lower Benefit-in-Kind company car tax rate at 20 per cent. The 1.6-litre 115bhp petrol engine also has changes for 2012 but power and torque remains the same at 114lb ft at 4,000rpm, the fuel economy is 47.1mpg instead of 47.9mpg for the 2011 model year engine - a move in the wrong direction. Staying the same are CO2 emissions at 139g/km with a road tax cost of £115 and BIK company car tax at 18 per cent. Top speed remains at 113mph and zero to 62mph still takes 11.4 seconds. Although there is no reduction tax charges on the 2012 petrol derivative, there is an increase in braked towing capacity from 1100kg to 1200kg.
Perhaps these figures speak for themselves in favour of the petrol engine. But for high mileage business users and some retail customers the diesel unit is just nicer, stronger and more responsive to drive in its current form Whether it is nicer and more responsive to drive in its lower powered 2012 form remains to be seen. But for now higher mileage drivers and those that like the torquey and responsive characteristics of a modern turbodiesel engine, Mitsubishi’s 1.8-litre, 2011 model year, variable valve timing unit is an impressive feature of the ASX. It is a bit noisy under acceleration and sounds a bit harsh at tick-over but the real-life fuel economy is brilliant. It was effortless to average close to 60mpg with this engine most of the time and the top speed of 124mph with zero to 62mph taking just 9.7 seconds was impressive. I’d prefer the 221lb ft of torque to be available below the current 2,000rpm rev range because the high final drive ratio used to minimise overall CO2 emissions, made it feel less responsive than the figures suggest it should be. Once you get into the powerband with the turbo blowing the response is first class but below 1,750rpm the response was flat, not like a modern diesel engine at all. Driving at lower speeds requires driving in a lower gear than normal for a modern diesel engine. The driver just needs to keep the revs up and in many ways it was like driving a petrol engined SUV, more revs equals more torque and better response. It is interesting that the lower powered 2012 model year 1.8-litre turbodiesel unit does develop its maximum torque at a lower rpm level – lesson learnt perhaps.
The new Black specification is a real blinged-up ‘marmite’ addition to the range. The ASX 4 donor level of specification will be better suited for most people. Black in terms of the ASX line-up means brash in my eyes and it looks as though this model is aimed at the young business user where glitzy wheels and body styling and paintwork tweaks have a greater appeal for their ‘street cred’ and ego. The fact that the publicity images for the ASX Black use urban street art, graffiti I call it, as a background probably says it all and is in a similar advertising theme used for the Nissan Qashqai and Juke crossover models. MILESTONES. Mitsubishi ASX 1.8 Diesel 2WD 5-Door Crossover. Engine/Transmission: 1.8-litre, four-cylinder, variable valve timing, direct injection turbodiesel, 147bhp, 221lb ft of torque from 2,000rpm, 6-speed manual with front wheel drive. Performance: 124mph, 0-62mph 9.7 seconds, 51.4mpg (58.9mpg actual) CO2 145g/km, VED road tax £130, BIK company car tax 22%. Insurance group: 19E. Dimensions/capacity: L 4,295, W 1,770, H 1,615mm, boot/load space 442 to 1,193-litres, 5-seats, braked towing weight 1,400kg. For: Brilliant fuel economy, lively engine, roomy, solid, well made, comfortable, high specification. Against: The very high £2,240 price premium for the diesel over the petrol powered models, no automatic transmission option, diesel models need servicing every 9,000 miles, reduced bhp output for 2012 model year diesel models, Black models look brash and glitzy. Miles Better News Agency Worth Checking - Motoring news - Road Tests
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Next time you review a car might be worth also checking the consumption by filling the take and getting a 'real' figure not one that manufacturers want to use to sell cars