Mitsubishi's New Delica Concept: Going ORV With the Japanese MPV
Mitsubishi announced that it would be bringing a new concept vehicle to next month’s Tokyo Auto Salon and it’s… certainly something. Based on the upscale “Urban Gear” variant of the new Delica D:5, the show car aims to take Japanese van life offroad by bestowing the MPV with protective scaffolding, a roof rack, more lamps, and some red mudflaps.
Though, with three tiers of forward illumination (four if you count the roof) and one of the boxiest designs we’ve seen since the Volvo 240, the Delica looks like something straight out of an 1980s sci-fi film. Our own Steph Willems even went so far as to claim a rather uncanny resemblance to the titular hero from the film Robocop when presented with the above photo.
Polarizing as the looks may be, the Delcia technically adheres to the brand’s current design language. The concept even implements the blackened bumpers Mitsubishi is rumored to have planned for the new “street sport” versions of its existing SUVs.
The new Delica is powered by Mitsubishi’s 2.2-liter DI-D turbodiesel, which provides 170 hp and 289 foot-pounds torque via an eight-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, though the van can be had with AWD. The concept goes all out by using the version with locking diffs as its starting point and incorporates the optional “clean” diesel engine with electric assist.
With three rows and room for six, the MPV seems ready to trounce those compact “lifestyle”crossovers that seem so popular right now. But Mitsubishi probably wouldn’t consider bringing the model to North America even if it adhered to America’s regulatory guidelines in its current form. It’s just not quite to our tastes. Though, if the Delica did make it to our shores, there would be nothing else like it on the road.
Am I crazy for kind of liking this ugly little vehicle or has my van bias blinded me to the realities of the Western market?
[Images: Mitsubishi]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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I own a 2018 Odyssey Touring, and previously had a 2017 Pacifica - so I am already biased toward minivan utility and driving position. I absolutely LOVE this Mitsubishi. Though lifted *wagons* are the showroom buzzmakers, I think creative product placement and marketing could help put Delicas in driveways. If it looks rugged and adventurous, feels perky and moderately agile, and can nail an attractive price point...people might just appreciate it and buy it. Apples to oranges, perhaps, but there is definitely a market for quirky, as the Kia Soul doesn't exactly stagnate on dealer lots.
Looks to me like someone snorted a bunch of coke and did a build on a Honda Element.