The Mitsubishi XPANDER AP4 will be the World’s First Rally MPV Crossover
Back in the 1980s, Mitsubishi dominated the notorious Dark Rally, with no less than 12 overall victories, that’s including seven in a row from 2001 to 2007. Since then it has been quite a while since Mitsubishi has won a title. The famous Japanese brand has given us some rally legends such as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, and Starion.
Now there may be some hopeful news for those who are looking to see Mitsubishi dominate and claim a rally title again. The hope of this has all been placed in the all-new XPANDER AP4. This will be the first-ever rally MPV crossover based on the Mitsubishi XPANDER AP4, which is set to follow the iconic Pajero rally car.
Since launching the XPANDER rally team back in 2019, Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Sales Indonesia (MMKSI) had become the official distributor of Mitsubishi light commercial and passenger vehicles for Indonesia.
Mitsubishi Motors Indonesia Brand Ambassador, Rifat Sungkar said that he was satisfied with the first trail of the XPANDA AP4 at the Tembong Jaya Circuit, which took part in over 100km of testing.
The XPANDER AP4 has gone for its first trial in Indonesia, showing great promise and no significant issues. There will however be some adjustments in terms of fuel, tyres, turbo cooling water, and other areas. The XPANDER AP4 is set to take part in its first rally event before the end of 2020.
While we on the topic of the XPANDER AP4, Mitsubishi has also announced that the seven-seater Xpander compact MPV will come to South Africa in 2021. It will only be available in 4x2 and will be powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, which uses either a manual or automatic transmission.
Also worth a look: the Mitsubishi Triton and the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Mitsubishi's Value Punch in the .
FAQ
Q: What is the Mitsubishi XPANDER AP4?
The Mitsubishi XPANDER AP4 is the world's first rally MPV crossover, based on the standard XPANDER seven-seater compact MPV but modified for rally competition with enhanced performance capabilities.
Q: When will the Mitsubishi XPANDER come to South Africa?
The seven-seater Mitsubishi XPANDER compact MPV will arrive in South Africa in 2021, available only in 4x2 configuration with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and either manual or automatic transmission options.
Q: Is the XPANDER AP4 available to buy in South Africa?
No, the XPANDER AP4 is a rally-spec competition vehicle designed for motorsport events, not a production model available for public purchase in South Africa or anywhere else.
Q: How successful was Mitsubishi in rallying before the XPANDER AP4?
Mitsubishi dominated rallying in the 1980s with 12 overall victories in the notorious Dakar Rally, including seven consecutive wins from 2001 to 2007, using legendary models like the Lancer Evo and Starion.
Q: What makes the XPANDER AP4 different from a regular XPANDER?
The XPANDER AP4 features rally-specific modifications including enhanced fuel systems, specialised tyres, turbo cooling water systems, and other performance upgrades designed for competitive rally conditions rather than road use.
Should You Buy It?
You can't buy the XPANDER AP4 because it's a rally-spec competition vehicle, not a production car. However, if you're interested in the regular seven-seater XPANDER that's coming to South Africa in 2021, it could be worth waiting for as an affordable family MPV option. The 1.5-litre petrol engine with manual or automatic transmission should make it a practical choice for South African families, though pricing hasn't been announced yet. For now, consider alternatives like the Toyota Avanza or Suzuki Ertiga if you need a seven-seater MPV immediately.
