Japan's Mitsubishi Motors has unveiled the ASX VR-e, a high-performance electric sports utility vehicle with 459 horsepower and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds. It is drawing attention for exceeding the output of its past high-performance model, the Lancer Evolution.

Electrek reported on Oct. 11 that the ASX VR-e is an electric vehicle developed in cooperation with Foxtron, an automaker affiliated with Taiwan's Foxconn group. Instead of producing it in-house, Mitsubishi will have Taiwan automaker Yulon Motor handle production.

The top-end GSR trim uses a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system with an electric motor on each of the front and rear axles. Combined maximum output is 342 kW, or about 459 horsepower, and maximum torque reaches 700 Nm. It is equipped with a 57.7-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.

In terms of output alone, it exceeds the 440 horsepower of the Lancer Evolution X FQ-440 MR released as a limited edition in Britain. Its maximum torque is also higher.

The standard model differs in performance and drivetrain. The LS, Aspire and Exceed trims use a single electric motor with maximum output of 171 kW and maximum torque of 350 Nm. With rear-wheel drive, it takes 6.8 seconds to go from a standstill to 100 km/h.

The body is based on the Foxtron Model B designed by Italian design house Pininfarina. It applies air channels and active grille shutters to reduce air resistance, and supports fast charging up to 134 kW.

The ASX VR-e is set to be launched in the Australian market late this year and is also expected to be supplied to New Zealand. Mitsubishi has not yet disclosed its Australian price or official driving range. Plans for a North American launch have also not been confirmed.

Alongside its in-house electric vehicle development, Mitsubishi is expanding cooperation with outside companies. The ASX VR-e is seen as an example of that strategy aimed at securing competitiveness in the high-performance electric vehicle market.