Mitsubishi Australia has confirmed the ASX VR-e as its first new battery-electric vehicle in more than a decade, marking the Japanese automaker’s return to Australia’s growing EV market. Based on the Foxtron Bria, the compact electric SUV will arrive in Australian showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2026 and will be offered in four grades: LS, Aspire, Exceed and GSR. Mitsubishi has yet to confirm Australian pricing and full specifications, but the model is expected to compete with similarly sized electric vehicles, including models from Chinese manufacturers.
Key Overview
- Mitsubishi ASX VR-e will be the company’s first new battery-electric vehicle in Australia in more than a decade.
- The EV is scheduled to arrive in Australian showrooms in Q4 2026.
- It is based on the Foxtron Bria, developed by Taiwan’s Foxtron Vehicle Technologies.
- Four grades will be offered: LS, Aspire, Exceed and GSR.
- Australian pricing and full specifications have not yet been confirmed.
- The model is expected to be available with single-motor rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive.
- The vehicle is part of Mitsubishi Australia’s broader Momentum 2030 electrification strategy.
Mitsubishi Returns to Australia’s EV Market
Mitsubishi Australia has confirmed that its first battery-electric vehicle in more than a decade will be called the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e, marking the company’s return to Australia’s battery-electric market.
The automaker was an early EV pioneer in Australia with the electric i-MiEV city hatch, which was sold locally between 2010 and 2012. Since then, Mitsubishi has focused heavily on plug-in hybrids, particularly the Outlander PHEV, while key Japanese rivals expanded their battery-electric offerings.
The ASX VR-e is scheduled to arrive in Australian showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Unlike the petrol-powered ASX currently sold in Australia, the new EV is based on the Foxtron Bria, a compact electric SUV developed by Taiwan’s Foxtron Vehicle Technologies.
ASX VR-e Based on Foxtron Bria
The Foxtron Bria measures 4315mm long, 1885mm wide, and 1535mm tall, with a 2800mm wheelbase.
The model was developed through Mitsubishi’s partnership with Taiwan’s Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, a joint venture between electronics company Foxconn and automaker Yulon.
The Bria began as the Model B concept, which was shown at Hon Hai Tech Day in October 2022, before launching as a production model in Taiwan in December 2025.
Foxtron has confirmed it will supply an EV model to Mitsubishi for markets including Australia and New Zealand.
The Mitsubishi version has also undergone local testing and development by Mitsubishi engineers, with Australia and New Zealand among its intended markets.
Four Grades Confirmed for Australia
Mitsubishi Australia has confirmed that the ASX VR-e will be offered in four model grades: LS, Aspire, Exceed and GSR.
Mitsubishi has released one exterior image and one interior image of the vehicle.
The exterior changes compared with the Foxtron version appear limited, with a small Mitsubishi logo, ‘MITSUBISHI’ badging and a tweaked daytime-running light signature.
The vehicle is also shown with an alloy wheel design not offered by Foxtron in Taiwan, where ‘FOXTRON’ badging is used across the nose.
VR-e Name Draws on Mitsubishi Heritage
The VR-e name pays homage to the Galant VR-4, the high-performance all-wheel-drive sedan introduced in Australia in 1990 and regarded as a predecessor to the Lancer Evolution.
Mitsubishi says the VR-e name references the 1987 to 2002 Galant VR-4, with VR-4 referring to its Viscous Realtime 4WD system.
However, the new ASX VR-e does not use a traditional mechanical all-wheel-drive system.
The vehicle is expected to be offered in single-motor rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive forms, although Mitsubishi has not yet confirmed which powertrains will be available in Australia.
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Pricing and Specifications Yet to Be Confirmed
Mitsubishi has not released Australian pricing for the ASX VR-e.
Market speculation has suggested a possible price range of between $40,000 and $50,000 before on-road costs, potentially positioning it against models such as the BYD Atto 2, Jaecoo J5 EV and GWM Ora 5. However, these figures remain unconfirmed.
The petrol-powered ASX currently ranges from $37,740 to $46,490 before on-road costs, although this pricing has only been used as a reference point for where the electric model could potentially sit.
Full Australian specifications are expected to be announced closer to launch.
Potential Performance and Battery Options
The vehicle has previously been linked to the Foxtron Bria, which in Taiwan is offered with a 57.7 kWh LFP battery.
In single-motor form, the Bria produces 171kW, while Foxtron’s official specification lists a 516 km NEDC range for the rear-wheel-drive model.
Foxtron also offers a higher-performance version of the vehicle, although Mitsubishi has yet to confirm which powertrains and specifications will be offered in Australia.
The original Foxtron Model B concept was also designed with aerodynamics in mind, with Foxconn claiming a drag coefficient of 0.26 for the concept.
Part of Mitsubishi’s Wider Electrification Strategy
The ASX VR-e represents more than Mitsubishi’s return to battery-electric vehicles in Australia. The company has positioned the model as part of its broader Momentum 2030 strategy.
Mitsubishi Australia said the vehicle joins an evolving multi-powertrain lineup designed and tuned with Australian lifestyles in mind, with the strategy expected to bring electrification to new models in the years ahead.
The company previously became one of the earliest established carmakers to sell a mass-produced electric vehicle in Australia through the i-MiEV, but subsequently concentrated more heavily on plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The ASX VR-e will therefore mark a return to the Australian battery-electric market when it arrives before the end of 2026.
Outlook
The Mitsubishi ASX VR-e marks the Japanese automaker’s return to Australia’s battery-electric vehicle market after more than a decade. Based on the Foxtron Bria, the new electric SUV will offer four grades and is expected to bring Mitsubishi back into competition in Australia’s expanding electric vehicle segment. While pricing and full specifications remain unconfirmed, the model’s expected arrival in the fourth quarter of 2026 will provide Mitsubishi with a new battery-electric offering as part of its broader Momentum 2030 electrification strategy.
FAQs
1. What is the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e?
The Mitsubishi ASX VR-e is a new compact battery-electric SUV that will be Mitsubishi Australia’s first new EV in more than a decade.
2. When will the ASX VR-e arrive in Australia?
The ASX VR-e is due in Australian showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2026.
3. How many ASX VR-e variants will Mitsubishi offer?
Mitsubishi Australia has confirmed four grades: LS, Aspire, Exceed and GSR.
4. How much will the Mitsubishi ASX VR-e cost?
Mitsubishi has not confirmed pricing. Market speculation suggests it could cost between $40,000 and $50,000 before on-road costs, but these figures are not official.
Sources: CarExpert, Drive, The Driven IO, Zecar
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