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Mitsubishi eX Concept 2015: From Electric Show Car to Eclipse Cross
The Mitsubishi eX Concept was a compact electric crossover shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2015. It had two 70 kW electric motors, one on each axle, a 45 kWh battery and a claimed range of 400 km on the Japanese JC08 cycle. It never went into production. Its role passed to the petrol Eclipse Cross of 2017 and, in 2025, to an all-electric Eclipse Cross.
Key takeaways
- Shown in Tokyo in October 2015 as a preview of Mitsubishi's next compact crossover.
- Twin Motor four-wheel drive with S-AWC, 2 × 70 kW, 45 kWh battery, 400 km (JC08).
- Rear-hinged rear doors and no B-pillar, which were show-car features.
- The 2017 Eclipse Cross took the slot with petrol power; the electric version arrived in Europe in 2025.
What Mitsubishi showed in Tokyo in 2015
The eX had the low, long roof of a shooting brake, and the front carried the latest version of the "Dynamic Shield" face. Our November 2015 report put its length at about 4.2 metres, which made it slightly shorter than the ASX of the time.
The cabin had touch panels and few physical controls. An augmented-reality display projected information into the driver's view. A "Caution Tracking" system used vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian communication to warn of hazards.
eX Concept technical data
| Item | Mitsubishi eX Concept (2015) |
|---|---|
| Type | compact electric crossover, concept |
| Motors | two, each about 70 kW (94 hp), one per axle |
| Drive | Twin Motor 4WD with S-AWC and Active Yaw Control |
| Battery | 45 kWh lithium-ion, under the floor |
| Range | up to 400 km (JC08, Japan) |
| Doors | rear-hinged rear doors, no B-pillar |
| Length | about 4.2 m (from our original report) |
On the eX, the S-AWC system varied torque between the rear wheels to help the car turn. The 400 km figure was based on the lenient JC08 cycle. Green Car Reports estimated a realistic range nearer 290–320 km at the time.
The small-crossover race of 2015
In 2015 compact crossovers were the fastest-growing part of the market. Our old report pointed to the success of rivals such as the Nissan Juke and Opel Mokka. Mitsubishi's own ASX was ageing, and the brand needed a new model between it and the Outlander.
Mitsubishi's electric know-how then came from the i-MiEV city car of 2009 and the Outlander PHEV of 2013. US press expected the next Outlander Sport, the American name for the ASX, to borrow its looks.
What happened after the eX Concept
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 2015 | eX Concept shown in Tokyo |
| October 2016 | Nissan takes a 34 % stake; Mitsubishi joins the Renault–Nissan alliance |
| March 2017 | Eclipse Cross revealed at Geneva with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol; a diesel follows |
| Late 2020 | Facelifted Eclipse Cross adds a plug-in hybrid |
| 2022 | eK X EV kei car becomes Mitsubishi's new electric model in Japan |
| 2023 | New ASX in Europe, based on the Renault Captur |
| September 2025 | Second-generation Eclipse Cross revealed as a battery-electric car |
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross of 2017 kept the sloping roof and the Dynamic Shield face, but used conventional doors and engines. The electric drive of the eX had to wait eight more years.
Which Mitsubishi crossover to choose in 2026
In October 2026 the electric Eclipse Cross is offered in continental Europe, with no UK version planned. It shares its platform, battery and interior with the Renault Scenic E-Tech. The launch version has an 87 kWh battery, a claimed range of about 600 km (373 miles) and 150 kW DC charging. That matches the eX's promise, but through alliance hardware.
For buyers, the choice is between the electric Eclipse Cross, its Renault twin, and a used first-generation plug-in hybrid. The PHEV suits drivers who often travel where fast chargers are scarce. Compare options with the comparison tool, browse electric cars or see the Mitsubishi catalogue.
FAQ
What was the Mitsubishi eX Concept?
It was a compact electric crossover shown at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. It had two 70 kW motors, four-wheel drive and a 45 kWh battery.
Did the Mitsubishi eX Concept go into production?
No. It stayed a show car, and Mitsubishi never built an electric crossover from it. Its styling ideas fed into the Eclipse Cross of 2017, which used petrol, diesel and later plug-in hybrid power.
What range did the Mitsubishi eX Concept have?
Mitsubishi claimed up to 400 km on the Japanese JC08 test cycle from its 45 kWh battery. Real-world range would have been lower; one US estimate at the time was 290–320 km.
Is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross electric?
The second generation, revealed in September 2025, is fully electric and is based on the Renault Scenic E-Tech. The first generation used petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines.
