Mitsubishi Dynamic Shield Coming to ASX, Lancer & Mirage

We’ve learned this week that Mitsubishi plans to make some big design changes to their lineup to help improve their brand’s recognizability in both the US and international markets.

Remember the ‘Dynamic Shield’ front grille design showcased on the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander from earlier this month at the 2015 New York Auto Show? It’s pictured above if you need a reference. Mitsubishi apparently plans to make this Dynamic Shield design into their official corporate grille, similar to what Lexus has done with their pinched spindle grille and what Nissan has done with their V-motion design.

According to an interview between Mitsubishi’s US VP, Don Swearingen, and CarAdvice.com.au, they will first adopt the new grille on the 2016 Outlander Sport, otherwise known as the Mitsubishi ASX. He said, “The new brand identity that you see on this [2016 Outlander] will carry over. In the US, after this vehicle we’re going to first go with the Outlander Sport (ASX).” He went on to say that the re-designed Outlander Sport would be here by October or November of this year as a 2016MY.

But it doesn’t stop there… Mitsubishi plans to release a Dynamic Shield-styled Mirage sometime in the first quarter of next year. This is extra-big news because it also means that Mitsubishi plans to bring the re-styled Mirage sedan to the US next year too. We’re sure the addition of a stylish family sedan to their US portfolio will bolster sales.

Mitsubishi also plans to update their relatively stagnant Lancer with the Dynamic Shield design language, but Swearingen said it’s the lowest priority of the three. He said the changes may not be as drastic as what they have planned for the ASX and Mirage, but that they too should be here within the next 12 months.

Japanese Car Auction Find – 2012 Mitsubishi Mirage

This Japanese car auction find should give you a pretty good idea of where Mitsubishi is coming from with their Dynamic Shield design. Looking at a car like the 2012 Mitsubishi Mirage, it’s hard to argue with the efficiency of their vehicles.

2012 would’ve been the first model year in the sixth-generation of the Mirage’s production, and while the lime-green hatch you see here is a bit quirky in design, it makes up for it by being the lightest four-door in any segment except for the two-passenger Smart ForTwo, which is hardly even a fair comparison. It also boasts the lowest drag coefficient in its class, which combines with the 1.0L petrol to offer an astounding 63 mpg on the Japanese JCO8 cycle without using an electric motor. Truly impressive.

To learn more about this 2012 Mitsubishi Mirage auction find, keep reading below the auction sheet:

“Interior B, exterior condition C, first registered October 2012, G model, DBA emissions code, FAT, AAC, gasoline engine, Auto Stop and Go, electrical retraction mechanism on mirrors, rear wiper, smoked glass windows, original navigation system and TV, power steering, power windows, ABS, airbag, original navigation system, original TV, stone chips in front windscreen, interior grime, scratches and dimples and scrapes, wheel caps scratches, marks as per map”