Skies clear now storm has passed

Mitsubishi is excited about the ASX which arrives in Auckland. Photo / Supplied

Mitsubishi NZ's new managing director Masao Tanuma put it best when he said: "We had to wait for the storm to pass by, but now it's over."

That MMNZ made a profit in the last financial year, despite its 2009 sales plunge, must partly be due to its recovery over the first months of 2010 - largely on the back of Triton and Outlander. But with no large car and nothing fresh for the small car bracket, it risks relegation once its off-road updates lose their freshness.

No wonder it's excited about ASX.

What's new
The body, which is handsome, and instantly identifiable as a Mitsubishi with that gaping grille and aggressively slanted lights.

It sits on the same platform (and wheelbase) as Outlander, but it's lower, and shorter than both its donor and the Lancer hatch.

That means it'll be more at home doing urban U-turns than Lancer, while bettering the hatch in terms of interior space.

The 2.0-litre 112kW/200Nm petrol engine is similar to Lancer's, albeit tweaked for better economy, but the diesel's new. Developed in-house by Mitsubishi Motors and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, it's a high-pressure common rail unit that delivers 112kW and 300Nm.

Drivers will tap 250Nm or more from 1500 to 4000rpm - a broad spread that should make the diesel a rewarding drive for those prepared to pilot a six-speed manual transmission.

Good news for the cabin, too.

At last there's reach adjust for the steering wheel, and soft-touch materials for the driver environment, although the hard plastics are still in place for back-seat passengers.

The company line
Newly appointed Mitsubishi NZ sales and marketing manager Warren Brown says: "We have a renewed focus and determination to succeed and have started the process of rebuilding our business."

After making 20 per cent of the work force redundant last year, he's recruiting new staff, "and that's a fantastic feeling".

Market share is up; and there's a new car to sell - hence the fanfare so long before ASX arrives.

What we say
The most important car for Mitsubishi for some time, ASX heads into the increasingly busy compact market while covering its bases in the popular-in-NZ light SUV segment.

That pitches it against hatchbacks, plus Hyundai's ix35 and Nissan's Qashqai. The ASX offers plenty of choice, with two engines, two spec levels, and both two- and four-wheel-drive, The base LS 2wd 2.0 starts at $35,490, undercutting the Qashqai by a bare $410.

On the road
With local-market cars not expected to launch until August, we have yet to drive one. However, if it takes after Outlander we can expect a competent drive, and a quieter one.

Mitsi has taken complaints on board about cabin noise. It promises better sound insulation and less tyre drone from specially developed Dunlops destined only for NZ and Australia, that combination reducing the din by 3dB.

Why you'll buy one
You love the sharp looks, the usefully sized cabin, the compact footprint, price and generous warranty - and the chance to get in first.

Why you won't
You want to try before you buy.