Mitsubishi partners with Foxconn to launch a new electric hatchback based on the Pininfarina-designed Bria
If there were an award for the automaker with the least inspiring lineup, Mitsubishi might have a strong claim to it. But change is on the horizon. The Japanese brand is set to add some spark to its range with a new all-electric model, even if, as has become something of a pattern lately, the vehicle won’t be one of its own creations.
Read: Foxconn’s Pininfarina-Designed Model B Could Steal Tesla’s Thunder In The Small Segment
As covered previously, Mitsubishi has teamed up with Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn, best known for assembling the iPhone. Together, they’ll introduce an electric hatchback based on Foxtron’s newly unveiled Bria designed by famed Italian studio Pininfarina.
That car, based on the striking Model B Concept, made its production debut in Taiwan and could bring a welcome dose of personality to Mitsubishi’s offerings.
Powering the Bria is a 57.5 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, and so far, three variants have been confirmed. Both the Elegant and Emerge models use a single 229 hp electric motor at the rear, allowing them to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 seconds.
For those wanting more punch, there’s the dual-motor Pioneer model. With all-wheel drive and a combined 400 hp, it cuts the sprint to 100 km/h down to just 3.9 seconds.
It’s unclear if the Mitsubishi version will retain the same specifications, but we suspect it will. A few months ago, I spotted a prototype of the Model B being tested in Melbourne, Australia, albeit without any Foxtron branding.
This is because the two companies are eyeing Australia as one of the car’s most important markets, and are believed to be fine-tuning the suspension for local road conditions.
The name of the Mitsubishi-branded EV hasn’t been confirmed, but recent trademark filings suggest a direction. According to Drive, the carmaker has secured rights in Australia for the names ‘ASX GT-e’ and ‘ASX VR-e’.
Golf Size
Dimensionally, the Bria measures 4,315 mm (169.8 inches) long, 1,885 mm (74.2 inches) wide, and 1,535 mm (60.4 inches) tall. That makes it slightly longer and wider than a Volkswagen Golf, and comparable in scale to the electric MG 4.
Considering this is Foxconn’s first production EV, the Bria makes a strong visual impression. It bears no resemblance to anything in Mitsubishi’s current stable, but that’s unlikely to be an issue. Mitsubishi has a long history with rebadged models, so it’d probably be happy to sell the Bria as is.
Google News
MSN Start
Brad Anderson’s lifelong affair and fascination with cars started young. Before even graduating high school,… Read full bio

source