Serial crossover Mitsubishi Airtrek: with a branded “X”, but equipment from a Chinese donor
The electric SUV of the Japanese brand was presented today in China at the Guangzhou Auto Show.
The name Airtrek may seem familiar to many: earlier in some markets, including domestic, it was called the first generation Mitsubishi Outlander crossover. Now we have decided to name another model – its role will be played by the new electric SUV, which the company announced in June this year. As we already reported, this SUV was not developed from scratch – it is based on the crossover of the Chinese company GAC.
In the photo: Mitsubishi Airtrek
The Airtrek “electrocrossover”, developed by the GAC Mitsubishi joint venture, is based on the pre-reform SUV Aion V. Note that the “Chinese”, which debuted in 2020, has already been updated. The “cufflinks” have many external differences (besides logos): for example, Airtrek instead of the traditional radiator grille has a cap made in the form of wide horizontal silver stripes with recesses, as well as decorative inserts of the same color, creating a recognizable corporate “X-face”.
Another new crossover from the Japanese brand is equipped with scalloped head optics, backed by a flared taillight design. But the door handles are flush, like a “heavenly” donor. Airrek length increased to 4630 mm (Aion V – 4586 mm), and the rest of the dimensions of the models are identical: width – 1920 mm, height – 1728 mm, axle distance – 2830 mm.
The interiors of crossovers also differ significantly. Unlike the large display Aion V, the Mitsubishi Airtrek has two separate displays: one acts as a virtual “dashboard” (located under the visor), the second is the touch screen of the multimedia system. In addition, the Japanese brand SUV has a different front panel design, a steering wheel (three-spoke) and a “two-story” central tunnel with a different design.
Mitsubishi Airtrek is based on the GAC Electric Platform (GEP), the technology is borrowed from the pre-reform “donor” without any modifications. So the “green” crossover is equipped with the same 184 horsepower single electric motor that is mounted on the front axle. Its maximum torque is 350 Nm. Note that the updated “Chinese”, called the Aion V Plus, is now available in versions with a power of 224 and 272 hp.
The Airtrek has a 70 kWh traction battery installed under the floor. According to the CLTC cycle used in China, this gives the model a range of up to 520 km on a single charge. Incidentally, the high-end version of the “upgraded” Aion V battery has a power output of around 96kW* and a range of up to 700km.
The Mitsubishi Airtrek electric SUV will be produced in China at GAC factories. The model, intended for the Chinese market, will go on sale next spring. The starting price of the novelty is 233,800 yuan, which is equivalent to approximately 2.69 million conventional units at the current exchange rate.
