Perhaps it’s unsurprising that Mitsubishi Motors chose Vietnam as the country to officially debut its latest concept, the Mitsubishi XFC Concept. After all, among its neighbours, the country has its own carmaker that has started production on its own homegrown electric vehicle (EV).

Mitsubishi isn’t focusing on enthusiast-driven models like the Pajero or the Lancer Evolution anymore and though its aim is targeted at the lucrative Southeast Asian market, it is also concentrating on electrified or all-electric models. While the XFC might preview the next-gen ASX (not the Renault Captur rebadge), there is a possibility that it could also move the brand in a greener direction.

In an interview with Australian media, Mitsubishi’s head of EV powertrain engineering Takashi Shirakawa said that vehicles in the B-segment and below which is where the XFC could slot in would deliver greater environmental benefits in going to full-electric propulsion with the current technology.

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As B-segment vehicles are lighter, require less energy to be carried to achieve a useful range, and take up fewer resources to manufacture, it logically makes sense.

However, the Australian publication reported that the XFC would likely be offered with internal combustion power and a plug-in variant as a fully-electric car would be too soon for the Southeast Asian market. Instead, Mitsubishi could be rebadging the Renault 4Ever Trophy concept for its entry into the all-electric B-segment.

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The 4Ever Trophy concept is another B-segment concept car that was unveiled in Europe for the continent’s market. It would eventually be sold as the Renault 4 when it enters production and would be the third Renault-based Mitsubishi model following the Captur-based ASX and Clio-based Colt.

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Despite the XFC Concept being designed for the ASEAN market, Mitsubishi hopes to grow the model to a global strategic vehicle and when it gets launched in Australia, it could be only offered with a PHEV powertrain.

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