With the compact SUV market being very popular with consumers looking to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, Mitsubishi has unveiled the XFC Concept, a compact SUV concept car, which may or may not make its way to the streets of South Africa in one form or another, depending on the reception.
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This latest addition to the mini SUV market is sure to impress anyone who is looking for something small and capable, whether they’re going loading the vehicle with camping gear, heading out on an offroad 4×4 adventure, or hitting the open road for a weekend getaway.
Unveiled ahead of the Vietnam Motor Show 2022 in Ho Chi Minh City (where the XFC will be on display), the vehicle is a next-generation compact SUV that offers the powerful and imposing design of an SUV. The XFC promotes ease of handling and ample cargo space, comfort, including class-leading interior space and safety, secure road and rough surface handling even on wet slippery surfaces.
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“The launch of the new compact SUV will be sequentially in the ASEAN markets including Vietnam in 2023*,” said Jeffrey Allison, General Manager of marketing at Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA). “An electrified variant to the lineup is also planned and to also roll it out in regions outside ASEAN. We hope to grow the model from a vehicle for the ASEAN market to a global strategic vehicle which will include South Africa, making it a core model like our sales-leading Xpander crossover MPV.”
The Mitsubishi XFC Concept complements Mitsubishi Motors’ wide range of products tailored to the ASEAN market — the Triton pickup truck and its derivative, the Pajero Sport midsize SUV; the Outlander and Outlander PHEV midsize SUVs; the Xpander and Xpander Cross crossover MPVs.
Powerful and imposing design
In line with Mitsubishi Motors’ design philosophy of Robust & Ingeniousness, the Mitsubishi XFC Concept combines a compact yet powerful and imposing aura of an SUV with a sleek surface that forms one continuous flow, starting from the three-diamond emblem on the front and extending to the sides and rear. This gives it a stylish and sporty profile to match the cityscapes. In addition, with enhanced road handling on rough surfaces thanks to ample ground clearance and large-diameter wheels, the Mitsubishi XFC Concept expresses both toughness and agility while featuring an authentic SUV styling that stands out in outdoor scenes.
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At the front, the Dynamic Shield concept, which expresses both performance and protection, has evolved in line with the concept. The L-shaped headlight in the headlight unit’s upper portion combines with the louver-like daytime running lights (DRL) below to light up in an iconic T-shape, which shows a sense of broadness. The sides of the body are composed of rich, muscular surfaces, with sculpted front and rear fender flares and character lines expressing the power and dynamism of an SUV. Like the front, the rear also features T-shaped tail lights to create a rear styling that accentuates wideness and stability.
The interior offers ease of operation and comfort – essential for an SUV. The instrument panel has a horizontally themed design, making it easier to sense changes in the vehicle’s posture when driving on rough surfaces while also improving forward visibility. Meanwhile, the dynamic design extending from the instrument panel to the door trim, along with a series of soft padding, give a sense of enclosure and protection to create a secure and comfortable interior.
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The Mitsubishi XFC Concept is designed for ease of operation, providing good forward visibility, easy perception of the vehicle’s dimensions, and smooth handling. The instrument panel features a large display panel integrating a full digital driver display and a centre display that can show three separate information layouts, such as navigation, road surface conditions, and other information necessary for driving. The screen assists in providing a safe and comfortable driving environment while also expressing a sense of advanced design. Despite its compact body size, the Mitsubishi XFC Concept is also designed for utility with ample cargo space.
Although it is a compact SUV, the Mitsubishi XFC Concept comes with a spacious cabin area, generous legroom in the rear seats and offers top-level comfort in its class. Moreover, everyone on board can feel safe and reassured, with vehicle stability control in slippery road conditions and high-quality ride comfort.
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With plenty of ground clearance and four drive modes — Normal, Wet, Gravel and Mud — the Mitsubishi XFC Concept offers a fun, safe and secure ride in various weather and road conditions. The Wet mode, introduced for the first time in a Mitsubishi vehicle, is designed with use in ASEAN countries in mind, such as enabling safe driving even on roads flooded by sudden showers.
