4x4 Newcomers

The recent Geneva Motor Show saw the unveiling of an array of exciting new 4x4s, SUVs and crossovers, set to give the UK market a shake-up over the next 12 months. We take a look at four of the most interesting:

Mitsubishi ASX

The Mitsubishi ASX compact crossover is a Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai iX35 rival. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, it is set to go on sale in Britain in the summer of 2010. At 4.3 metres in length, the ASX is slightly shorter than the Qashqai and is based on the same platform as the regular Lancer range. It is expected to be available with either two or four-wheel drive, and its best-selling engine is likely to be a new Euro 5-compliant 1.8-litre turbocharged direct-injection diesel with stop-start technology, linked to a six-speed gearbox. The ASX is part of Mitsubishi’s plan to move away from its image as a manufacturer of large SUVs, repositioning itself as a maker of smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. It is, however, expected that the Shogun and top-selling L200 line-ups will continue to be a part of the company’s future plans.