Mitsubishi Unveils ASX VR-e: Its First New EV in 15 Years, and the Quickest Badge Ever Sold Down Under

Mitsubishi has pulled the wraps off Australian specifications for the ASX VR-e, a compact electric SUV that signals the brand’s return to the battery-electric arena after a long absence. The lineup will land in local showrooms before the end of 2026 across four trim levels: LS, Aspire, Exceed and GSR.

All versions share a 57.7kWh lithium iron phosphate pack. The three lower grades drive the rear wheels through a single motor rated at 171kW and 350Nm, delivering a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 6.8 seconds. The flagship GSR, however, adds a front-axle motor for a combined 342kW and 700Nm, slashing that benchmark to just 3.9 seconds, making it the fastest-accelerating Mitsubishi ever officially retailed in Australia. The VR-e moniker nods to the Galant VR-4, and supply comes from Taiwanese manufacturer Foxtron, a Foxconn subsidiary.

Charging figures are more measured than the performance story: CCS2 DC fast charging peaks at 134kW, while AC charging is limited to 6.6kW, and Mitsubishi has yet to publish an Australian 10-80 per cent time. Vehicle-to-load is standard, letting owners power external devices through the Type 2 port. Official driving range for Australia has not been disclosed, though Mitsubishi New Zealand has quoted WLTP figures of up to 403km for the rear-drive LS, dropping to 328km for the GSR.

Inside, a 15.6-inch central touchscreen pairs with a 9.2-inch digital cluster, and physical buttons remain for climate, demisters and hazards. The Aspire adds heated and ventilated power seats, a 360-degree camera and autonomous parking, the Exceed brings 20-inch alloys, a panoramic glass roof and a 12-speaker system, while the GSR gains two-tone paint and microsuede upholstery. At 4315mm long with a 2800mm wheelbase and Pininfarina-designed bodywork, the ASX VR-e squares up against a swelling field of electric SUVs from BYD, MG, Geely, Kia and others. Australian pricing has yet to be confirmed, with New Zealand stickers starting at NZ$57,990.