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The Mitsubishi Xforce is yet another compact crossover in a segment that is gaining popularity all over Southeast Asia but it also stands out from the rest in terms of a design that looks geared to go off the beaten path.
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Yet, the Xforce is only available as a front-wheel drive (FWD) SUV despite having the highest ground clearance in its class at 222 mm as well as its class' highest approach and departure angle at 20° and 30.5° respectively. That ground clearance height is similar to the all-new 2024 Mitsubishi Triton which was launched in Thailand.
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According to Hiroshi Nagaoka, Executive Vice President of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), the decision for the Xforce to only offer an FWD at launch is due to the SUV being developed mainly for the ASEAN market which doesn’t see a need for four-wheel drive (4WD).
Also read: Built to tackle floods and potholes, this is how the Mitsubishi Xforce has bespoke tuning for ASEAN
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“The Xforce is only available as a 2WD model at this moment as it is developed mainly for the ASEAN market where there’s no snow,” Nagaoka said at a question and answer (Q&A) session with the Malaysian media following the Xforce’s launch at the 2023 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS).
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He continued, “Instead of adding a long shaft in the rear, we introduce a new drive mode select – Normal, Gravel, Mud, Wet. It’s not 4WD but the system is able to control all 4 wheels similarly including some braking.”
Also read: Are AWD cars completely useless for everyday driving?
“That is why the SUV will feel stable even on slippery road conditions and we feel it doesn’t need 4WD,” said the Vice President.
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The Xforce is offered with a drive mode setting that also introduces a “Wet” setting for the first time on a Mitsubishi model as well as Active Yaw Control (AYC). The latter is technology that was introduced on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and is also offered on the all-new Triton.
Also read: 35 photos to show off the 2024 Mitsubishi Triton's 'Beast Mode' style
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In terms of powertrain, the Xforce is powered by a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre MIVEC engine (105 PS/141 Nm) that is mated to a CVT-type automatic. This combination is also found on the Mitsubishi Xpander, albeit the updated 7-seater available in most markets worldwide.
Also read: After Indonesia, Thailand's Mitsubishi Xpander facelift trades 4AT for CVT, Malaysia when?
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The Xforce is an SUV mainly developed for the ASEAN market as the region is Mitsubishi’s largest and most important. Besides Southeast Asia, the Xforce is also planned to be introduced in developing markets in Latin America and the Middle East.
Also read: Ready for Malaysia, will the Mitsubishi Xforce be CBU or CKD here?
