A new generation of Mitsubishi's bigger-than-ASX, smaller-than-Outlander SUV is coming – but it will be electric, and not developed from the ground up as a Mitsubishi.
Electric Cars
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross family SUV is set to go electric for its next generation, due in European showrooms by the end of this year.
But it is not an all-Mitsubishi model, rather a revised version of the Renault Scenic E-Tech electric car, which will be built alongside its donor car in one of the French giant's factories.
It is yet to be confirmed for Australia, as a follow-up to the new Renault-based Mitsubishi ASX due here later this year.
Plans for a Mitsubishi electric car for Europe's "C-SUV" category – car-industry speak for a small-to-mid-size SUV – were announced last year, but the vehicle has been given its name this week.
It will be Mitsubishi's first electric vehicle launched in Europe since the now-defunct i-MiEV city hatch reached showrooms in 2010.
The Eclipse Cross is expected to share its dimensions with the Scenic, which is smaller than a Tesla Model Y, and instead a rival for the BYD Atto 3, MG S5 EV and Skoda Elroq.
There will be no petrol or plug-in hybrid version, unlike today's Eclipse Cross, as the new model is based on an electric-car-only platform.
Teaser images released by the Japanese brand show the Eclipse Cross will wear a unique headlight signature compared to its Renault sibling, with tweaked bumpers also expected.
It's a departure from other Renault-based Mitsubishis, which have tended to share their headlights with their French donors.
Mitsubishi says the car has been "developed under the supervision of Mitsubishi Motors Europe Design based near Frankfurt am Main in Germany, and incorporates the next generation of Mitsubishi Motors' signature “Dynamic Shield” front face."
The company promises "cutting-edge infotainment with Google built-in," likely Renault's multimedia system with these features.
Due to be revealed in September, the Eclipse Cross is due in European showrooms in a "long-range variant" between October and December 2025, ahead of a "mid-range version" in 2026.
Entry-level versions of the Scenic E-Tech use a 60kWh battery and 125kW/280Nm electric motor for a electric driving range rating based on European WLTP testing of 429km.
Flagship models upgrade to an 87kWh battery and 160kW/300Nm motor rated for up to 623km of WLTP range.
With the Eclipse Cross on sale, four of the five Mitsubishis sold in Europe will be based on Renaults – the Clio-based Colt hatch, Captur-based ASX city SUV, Symbioz-based Grandis small SUV, and Scenic-based Eclipse Cross.
The Outlander plug-in hybrid will be the sole vehicle with significant Mitsubishi development input.
Electric Cars Guide
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
