![Bugatti Bird-gate Followup: Driver identity revealed <b>[*UPDATE:</b> Now with actual crash video!]](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/bugatti-veyron-swim-1258147199_143x85.jpg)
Mitsubishi Delica D:5 minivan announced for Japan
Click image for a gallery of the Mitsubishi Delica D:5
Mitsubishi has released the first photo and initial details of its upcoming Delica D:5 minivan for the Japanese market. The D:5 -- so named because this is the fifth generation of the vehicle -- is the last of three planned new products for FY 2006, the other two being the new eK Wagon and Pajero. The Delica is a traditional minivan with seating for eight and a clean, boxy appearance that's easy on the eyes. The "skid plate" look up front and black lower body cladding are tip-offs that the Delica D:5 is also designed to handle some soft-roading, thanks to the AWD system the van's 2.4L MIVEC engine is connected to. It arrives in early 2007, and we'll bring you more details when Mitsubishi officially launches it.One final observation: you know it's a JDM model when the press release states that the Delica was designed to "fuse the comfort of a minivan with the powerful performance of an SUV" without having the word "crossover" appear anywhere in the statement. Can you imagine the tortured verbiage we'd have to sift through if a North American PR-type had to present this vehicle to us?
(Press release after the jump)
[Source: Mitsubishi Motors]
Gallery: Mitsubishi Delica D:5 (4WD)
PRESS RELEASE:
New Mitsubishi Motors mono-box minivan to be branded "Delica D:5"
Tokyo, October 30 2006- Mitsubishi Motors today announced that its new mono-box minivan will be branded the "Delica D:5" (pronounced "dee five") for launch in the Japan market early in 2007.
Mitsubishi Motors' plans for FY2006 included three new model launches in its domestic market. The first was the double launch of the new eK Wagon and eK Sports in September 2006, and the second was the new Pajero in October 2006. Both have been a big hit with customers, and further success is expected with the Delica D:5, the third of the planned model launches.
The D:5 name derives from this being the fifth generation Delica in a series that began when Mitsubishi Motors led the mono-box market by launching its first model in 1968. The Delica D:5 has been developed to "fuse the comfort of a minivan with the powerful performance of an SUV," in a new model with three specific product characteristics:
- Spacious interior that can seat 8 in comfort, with a wide variety of utility features,
- Strong body structure with comprehensive safety fittings and great environmental performance,
- High all-round performance, on-road and off-road, thanks to a 2.4L MIVEC engine mated to an electronically controlled 4WD system.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ruffhouz 2:26PM (10/30/2006)
I dig this van and the practicality versus an SUV, especially with the I4 engine. But the idea of a minivan acting like an SUV isn't original. The original US Mazda MPV had the same concept back in 1996 with the All Sport version of the MPV.
Reply
Mattias 9:00PM (10/15/2007)
Mitsubishi has made the delica since the late 80's. Check out the wiki entry . . . I own a 1992 Delica. 2.4L turbodiesel . . . it's way better than an SUV.
Kowell 2:35PM (10/30/2006)
It looks like a delivery truck from the early 90s
Reply
Pinkerton 3:22PM (10/30/2006)
With all the complaints on Autoblog about the cars we don't get from Europe and Australia (my posts included)... nobody complains about us not getting the funky domestic market Asian cars. OK, there are some exceptions: Skyline, Civic Type R, etc. Imagine the foddor this van would be in the US...
Here we have the Delica, where they took the "C is for COOL" out of the Celica name and replaced it with a "D for DORKY."
Reply
RZ 3:50PM (10/30/2006)
I think it looks good, looks totaly different, very fresh. I am tired of these look alikes Odisey, Town and Country, Sienna.
Reply
Markusarulius 5:48PM (10/30/2006)
"Cool"? Dont you know? Imported 4wd Japan vans are hotter than Hansel right now. Perhaps even hotter than Westfalias and Vanagons. People would buy this vehicle because it is functional not because you can gain image points. there is no new NA vehicle out there right now that matches this combo of room, functionality and efficiency. I'll keep complaining... Where is my Delica? Where is my Multivan?
Reply
Mitsufan 8:33PM (10/30/2006)
This is apparently the "toned-down" version of the Delica. Taking into account what the last two incarnations of the Delica looked like, the friendly-but-tough looks that make them (http://idfr.jp/ -- pics link is 5th from the left), I'd say there should be bouncy offroad-mod version on the way.
Just a guess.
Reply
Johnny Aero 11:46AM (10/31/2006)
Has anyone heard about the possibility of this being offered in the US? Because it is awesome I'm sure we will not get it.
Note to Mitsubishi, "I have never owned a Mitsubishi, never even considered it, but I would buy this in a second!"
Very practical for someone like me with a family and who likes to do things outside (ski, mountain bike...) I don't want no stinking SUV, and I bet there are a lot of people out there just like me.
Reply
Dave 3:57PM (11/02/2006)
It's nowwhere near as cool as the L400 Delica.
Reply
Andrew M 3:29PM (12/06/2006)
It looks awesome. Why would we settle for the sameness everyday, as in Honda Oddessy, Toyota Sienna, Mazda MPV, and the clunkers that we build here under the aegis of the Big 3?? This vehicle looks like it can hold its own against them. By the way, make mine midnight black, add on a front and roof spoiler and radical deals on the side and I'm off to SEMA
Reply
Andy Van Driel 6:40PM (7/14/2008)
Get we get this in North America. My 2000 Mazda MPV has 280K and this would be a cool replacement. At leastMitsu does not pick and choose like Ford. This would be an outstanding Outlander cosuin for the snowy north.