Could This Be The Car That Revives Mitsubishi’s Fortunes In India?

Mitsubishi has taken the covers off a new concept, called the XFC, ahead of the Vietnam Motor Show. The XFC concept SUV will be available for display at the motor show from 26th to 30th October and we believe it could be the perfect comeback model for the Japanese marque in India. Stick with us and find out why.

Aggressive styling in a booming segment

It’s no news that we Indians love our road presence, hence the boom in the sales of SUVs. Add to that in-your-face, get-out-my-way-styled design language and we are sold.

The concept follows Mitsubishi’s ‘Robust & Ingenious’ design philosophy with the hefty front and rear bumper with integrated hexagonal fog lamps. In profile, the SUV gets aggressive side cladding with a camera in place of a conventional mirror. It screams aggressive, and if the production model is anywhere near its concept form, it promises to be an instant hit in our country. 

Roomy cabin

The concept’s cabin looks spacious. The three-spoke steering houses a digital driver’s display screen behind it, integrated as one with the infotainment system. There are also two screens adjacent to the door handles, feeding the driver with information about what’s behind from the aforementioned cameras outside. The cabin has a sense of airiness to it – something that’s a big plus point for the majority of the demographic here.

Frugal running powertrain

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Powertrain details are under wraps, but the production model will likely be offered with a petrol powertrain devoid of any electrification initially. An electrified version of the SUV, likely a petrol-hybrid, will also be developed later down the road. And that’s the one that will run the numbers in our country because who doesn’t love the constant 20kmpl + mileage amidst the skyrocketing fuel prices?

Also confirmed are the four driving modes - Normal, Gravel, Mud, and Wet, the last mode of the lot being a first for the marque. 

India plans?

There’s little to no chance of the production version of this concept SUV making its way to our shores, thanks to the carmaker’s silent exit from the country, but we do believe it has got a recipe that might just reel in some good numbers. With Mitsubishi’s sister companies, Renault and Nissan, still having a foothold in the country, and with the Japanese marque stating that the SUV will also be sold beyond the ASEAN markets, we’ve got our fingers crossed. 

Mitsubushi’s XFC SUV would’ve made for a direct rival to the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, and Kia Seltos in the country.