November 24, 2024

AutoPH

The latest in Philippine motoring.

What could Mitsubishi’s new 7-seater SUV concept be?

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) certainly made headlines when it announced a few days ago that it will be holding the global reveal of a new seven-seater SUV concept.

Naturally, everyone has their guesses on what this concept vehicle, which will be unveiled at the 9th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) later this month, will transform into once it’s production ready. Most (us included) are guessing that it could be the next-generation of the popular Montero Sport.

Now that is a huge possibility considering that its pickup truck base, the Mitsubishi Triton, received an all-new generation last year, and was launched here in the Philippines early this year. That makes sense, right?

Signs however are pointing to another possibility.

Looking at Mitsubishi Motors’ Challenge 2025 business strategy from 2023, there is another three-row SUV in the Japanese automaker’s future plans, other than the included pickup platform vehicle (PPV) which would surely be the new-generation Montero Sport.

Mitsubishi Motors has 16 models planned for the next five years, including a new three-row SUV.
SCREENSHOT FROM MITSUBISHI

And based on the design of the vehicle from the teasers, we can safely guess that this new concept could become a seven-seater crossover SUV based on the Mitsubishi Xforce subcompact crossover, but stretched to accommodate a third row of seats.

The new concept vehicle also hints at an Xforce-based seven-seater.
PHOTO FROM MITSUBISHI

Given that the Xforce is based on the Xpander subcompact MPV which already had an SUV-like Xpander Cross version, this new concept could be a true SUV version of the platform those vehicles ride on. Its closest rivals would be the Honda BR-V and Toyota Veloz. This segment has also been left untapped by Mitsubishi Motors.

Could this also spell the return of the formerly very popular and iconic Adventure nameplate? Perhaps so. MMPC’s teaser caption reads “Get ready to witness the future of family ADVENTURES!” and based on social media comments, it’s definitely grabbing attention.

The Mitsubishi Adventure was once a very popular model here in the Philippines.
PHOTO FROM MITSUBISHI

If so, we can expect this concept’s production version to be powered by the Mitsubishi Xpander and Xforce’s 1.5-liter 4A91 Inline 4-cylinder MIVEC gasoline engine that makes 105 horsepower and 141 Nm of torque, probably mated to a CVT.

New Montero Sport or new Adventure? Your guess is as good as ours. 

We won’t have to wait too long to find out as the 9th Philippine International Motor Show is just around the corner, happening from October 24-27 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City.

Copyright © All rights reserved. | Newsphere by AF themes.