Mitsubishi will return to the fully electric vehicle market in Australia later this year with the new 2027 ASX VR-e, due to arrive during the fourth quarter of 2026. The new small electric SUV has been developed in partnership with Foxtron Vehicle Technologies and will launch locally in four grades; LS, Aspire, Exceed and GSR.
Interestingly, Mitsubishi is reviving two familiar names for the new model. ASX continues the badge used on its small SUVs in Australia, while the VR-e designation is intended as a reference to the Galant VR-4 performance sedan of the late-1980s and 1990s.
The ASX VR-e is based around a Pininfarina design, with Mitsubishi applying its own front and rear styling, wheel designs and interior trim. Aerodynamic features include an S-duct through the front of the vehicle that directs air over the bonnet, along with active grille shutters that can open or close depending on driving conditions to optimise flow or cooling.
Mitsubishi also says the ASX VR-e has undergone local testing and chassis tuning, with Australian development work contributing to its ride and handling setup. The new model will become Mitsubishi’s first battery-electric vehicle sold in Australia since the tiny i-MiEV, which arrived locally more than a decade ago.
It also forms part of Mitsubishi’s broader Momentum 2030 product strategy, which will see the Australian range expand with a mixture of electrified powertrains over the coming years. Mitsubishi is yet to announce the ASX VR-e’s important specifications, including battery capacity, power and torque outputs, driving range and charging performance.
Australian pricing and detailed specifications will be announced closer to its Q4 2026 launch. However, in Foxtron form overseas it is offered with a 170kW rear electric motor, or dual-motor AWD with 298kW. Acceleration across 0-100km/h is claimed in 6.8 seconds and 3.9 seconds, respectively.
