Those old enough would remember the Mitsubishi Airtrek, then later on, a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution powered Airtrek Turbo. Despite not bearing much resemblance to the Airtrek, the ASX can be considered as the local spiritual successor to the Airtrek, as Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia only brought in its actual successor the Mitsubishi Outlander for a short period of time.
Launched back in 2010, the Mitsubishi ASX is no stranger to Malaysians, as the ASX is much like a lifted Lancer GT. The ASX has been a full CBU model from Japan since 2010, and was only recently the the ASX got locally assembled by Edaran Tan Chong Motor. The introduction of the CKD ASX also marks the debut of the 4WD ASX variant.
For today’s launch, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia collaborated with fashion designer Rizalman Ibrahim to create this limited edition model, called the Mitsubishi ASX Designer Edition. Clad in Titanium Grey, the ASX rides on 17-inch matt black coloured wheels, although it’s wheel design is the same as the regular local 4WD model.
Other than the darker shade of wheel colour, the ASX Designer Edition also benefits from a slightly larger rear spoiler, body stripes, a fin-type antenna (pole type for regular models) and a dark chrome colour exhaust finisher.
Moving on to the interior, the black colour leather interior of the regular ASX variant has been revamped to a new shade of dark grey with yellow inserts. In case you’re wondering, the seats are still leather. The 2-DIN LCD touch screen entertainment system too has been customized.
Even the door panel and arm rests get the same dark grey and yellow colour treatment with perforated leather. The gearknob too, has been revised with a striking shade of yellow and dark grey with hand sewn diamond stitching. Cubic printing on all door switch panels gives the interior a nice contrast.
Last but not least, the ASX Designer Edition’s carpet also features the same yellow theme, with yellow piping on the edges, while the rest of the carpet remains black with unique ASX Designer Edition embroidery.
According to Rizalman, he said, “With my signature style and the inspiration I drew from the urban chic streets of New York, I tried to elevate the finer points of the ASX. Since these were made in limited units only, I made sure that it had a distinctive style as one of a kind exclusive compact SUV, perfect for the trendy urbanite in you.”
Powering the Mitsubishi ASX is the tried (if not tired) and tested 2.0L 4B11 engine. Like the Lancer GT, the engine also features Mitsubishi’s own variable value timing called MIVEC. A total of 148 horses are available at 6,000 rpm, with the peak torque of 197 Nm is available at 4,200 rpm. In Malaysia, only the INVECS-III CVT is offered, with 6-step Sports Mode for a sportier drive.
The Mitsubishi ASX Designer Edition is a very limited model, with a total of just 180 units planned. The ASX Designer Edition comes with Mitsubishi’s 5-Year Warranty with unlimited mileage, coupled with 2-years of free maintenance. Retailing for RM131,801.50 on the road without insurance, buyers of the ASX Designer Edition will also get a free leather case embossed with Rizalman’s signature.
