Mitsubishi has confirmed that it plans to launch a new seven-seater SUV in South Africa, but interested parties will have to wait.
The new SUV is scheduled to be unveiled within the next two years, at which point it will replace the long-running Eclipse Cross.
What we know
Mitsubishi has been engaged in a radical overhaul of its local vehicle portfolio since the start of 2023, announcing a stream of fresh models including the new Outlander, Eclipse Cross Ralliart, Pajero Sport Shogun, and Triton Athlete.
Internationally, the Japanese automaker has also revealed the next-generation Triton and Xforce, both of which have been confirmed for a South African introduction once they go on sale.
Much like the Xforce, which is expected to replace the long-serving ASX, the new seven-seater will take the place of the Eclipse Cross when it eventually arrives in local showrooms, according to a report by CARmag.
Not many details have been shared about the new SUV, including its name, but it will use the same platform as the Xpander and the Outlander Sport – the latter of which is not available in South Africa.
Mitsubishi Xpander
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross on its way out
The Eclipse Cross first launched in South Africa in 2017, which means it will have been around for roughly seven to eight years by the time its replacement makes its debut.
For reference, the Cross has a starting price of R509,990, which lines up with the notion that the incoming vehicle will be a mid-range seven-seater slotting in between the R349,995 Xpander and the R729,995 Outlander.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
While there is currently no information on what the new vehicle may ship with, looking at the outgoing Eclipse’s spec sheet suggests buyers can look forward to items like automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and start, a reverse camera, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, alloy wheels, leather upholstery, a media screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a leather multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters, a heads-up display, and a panoramic sunroof.
Regarding the engine, the Eclipse has access to a 2.0-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol with an output of 110kW/198Nm and 110kW/250Nm, respectively, so it’s a good bet that the new vehicle’s powertrain will have similar figures.
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