Partnering with Foxconn, Mitsubishi is preparing a new electric car based on Bria

JAKARTA - Mitsubishi is preparing to add ammunition to its electric vehicles through a partnership with Foxconn. The Japanese manufacturer has partnered with a Taiwanese contract manufacturing company that has been known as an iPhone assembler.

Reported by Carscoops, Thursday, January 22, the new electric hatchback model is based on the Foxtron Bria. Bria itself has just been introduced by Foxconn as a production model that departs from the B Concept Model.

This car attracts attention because its design is worked on by the famous Italian studio, Pininfarina, and is considered to bring a fresher character to Mitsubishi's product line in the future. In terms of the engine, Bria is equipped with a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery with a capacity of 57.5 kWh.

So far, there are three confirmed variants. In the Elegant and Emerge variants, this car relies on a 229 hp electric motor placed in the rear and allows an acceleration of 0-100 km/h to be achieved in 6.8 seconds.

Meanwhile, for users who want more aggressive performance, Bria provides a Pioneer variant with a dual motor and all-wheel drive system. The combined power is 400 hp, with a record acceleration of 0-100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

Although it is not yet certain whether the three-diamond logo version will carry identical specifications, it is likely that Mitsubishi will not change its formula much. Moreover, some time ago the prototype of the Model B was said to be seen being tested in Melbourne, Australia, even without the Foxtron brand.

The presence of the test unit strengthens the indication that Australia is prepared to become one of the key markets for this model. There are rumors that Mitsubishi and Foxconn are also perfecting the suspension characteristics to match the local road contours.

Regarding the official name, Mitsubishi has yet to announce it, but clues are starting to emerge through trademark filings. Citing Drive, Mitsubishi has secured the right to use the names ASX GT-e and ASX VR-e in Australia, which are believed to be related to the new electric model.

In terms of dimensions, Bria has a length of 4,315 mm, a width of 1,885 mm, and a height of 1,535 mm, where its size is slightly longer and wider than the Volkswagen Golf, and is on par with the MG 4 electric. As Foxconn's first production EV, Bria looks bold and assertive.

The design is also far from Mitsubishi's current formula. Even so, this situation does not seem to be a big obstacle, because Mitsubishi is known to have a long track record in the "rebadge" model strategy, alias selling models with brand identities that are tailored to the market.