Mitsubishi · 1968–present

Mitsubishi Delica

The Mitsubishi Delica (Japanese: 三菱・デリカ, Hepburn: Mitsubishi Derika) is a range of vans and pickup trucks designed and built by the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors since 1968. It was originally based on a cabover van and pickup truck introduced the previous year, also called the Delica, its name a contraction of the English language phrase Delivery car. This pickup truck, and a commercial van derived from it has received many names in export markets, being sold as the L300 (later L400) in Europe, Jamaica (discontinued after the third generation) and New Zealand, Express and Starwagon in Australia, and plain Mitsubishi Van and Wagon in the United States. The passenger car versions were known as Delica Star Wagon from 1979 until the 1994 introduction of the Delica Space Gear, which became simply Space Gear in Europe at least. The most recent version (not available as a commercial vehicle) is called the Delica D:5. With the exception of the first, versions of all generations are still being sold in various international markets. In Japan, the Delica Cargo and Delica D:3 nameplates were used on rebadged Mazda Bongo Brawny (between 1999 and 2010) and Nissan NV200 (between 2011 and 2019) respectively. Since 2011, the Delica D:2 nameplate has been applied to the rebadged Suzuki Solio. Starting in 2023, the Delica Mini nameplate is also used as a kei car model based on the eK X Space.

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First generation (1968)

The production of the Delica light commercial cab-over pickup began in July 1968. It received the chassis code T100, in line with the recently (January 1968) introduced "T90" Canter. Using a KE44 1,088 cc engine producing 58 PS (43 kW), its maximum payload was 600 kg (1,323 lb) and had a top end speed of 115 km/h (71 mph). A year later, in line with consumer needs, a cargo van and a passenger van were added to the line-up. The passenger van, discontinued in 1976, was called the 'Delica Coach' and could seat nine people in three rows of seats. The engine was upgraded to 62 PS (46 kW) in 1969. In March 1971, a slightly facelifted version, called the Delica 75, arrived. This (the T120) received a small grille rather than the naked metal front of the earliest Delicas, and a new 1.4-litre Neptune (4G41) engine rated at 86 PS (63 kW) was added to the line-up. The smaller 1.1-litre engine may have remained available in a 600 kilograms (1,300 lb) version of the truck but if so, it soon vanished entirely. After a fall 1974 facelift, the Delica received a new nose with much plastic cladding and double headlights, now mounted beneath the swage line. It was now known only as the "Delica 1400", as this was the only engine with which it was available (mention of a Delica 1200 is most likely apocryphal, perhaps an issue of confusion arising from the "120" chassis code). A longer wheelbase (T121) one-ton truck was added in 1976. In export markets, this car was usually called the Colt T100/T120/1400. It became a massive success in Indonesia, where "Colt" became synonymous with minibus. Mitsubishi dominated the market and the T120 remained in production until 1982. The nametag was revived in February 1991 with a rebadged version of the Suzuki Carry Futura. Record, a Greek manufacturer of

Second generation (1979)

The Delica series was replaced in June 1979 by an all new design, bringing overall width up to the maximum 1,690-millimetre (67 in) dictated by Japanese regulations for "compact" vehicles. Suspended at the front by an independent wishbone construction and a leaf spring at the rear, the Delica also features sliding side doors and one-piece gas strut tailgate. The line-up was expanded to include ten model variations encompassing a wide variety of passenger (eight seats in a three/two/three configuration), cargo and recreational applications. A four-wheel drive option was made available in 1982, a first in the Japanese van market. Engines were all four-cylinders well known from MMC's passenger cars and included the 1,439 cc, 80 PS (59 kW) Saturn (4G33) and 1.6-litre Saturn (4G32) engines. A 1.8-litre Sirius (4G62) version producing 100 PS (74 kW) appeared in May 1980, and a 2.0-litre Sirius (4G63B) petrol version became optional in 4WD versions from November 1983. A 2.3-litre Astron (4D55) diesel appeared in October 1982 and was replaced by the larger 2.5-litre Astron (4D56) in 1986. The four-wheel drive version of the Delica was first introduced to the Japanese market in October 1982. This vehicle utilized a modified version of the Mitsubishi Pajero's chassis, albeit usually with smaller engines (originally only the 1.8-litre petrol). After the introduction of the third generation Delica, the truck (separate cab) version of the second generation continued to be built until 1994. Japanese consumers were liable for higher amounts of annual road tax due to the larger engines installed in higher trim level packages. Markets. ==== Australia ==== Chrysler Australia introduced the SA series Delica to the Australian market on 14 April 1980 under the name "Chrysler L300 Express" a

Third generation (1986)

In June 1986, the Delica underwent its third full model change. More aerodynamic than previous versions, its monocoque body and extensive safety features proved very popular in Japan's fast-growing recreational vehicle market segment. The more rounded design was referred to as "soft cube" styling by Mitsubishi. Passenger versions continued to be sold as Delica Star Wagon, which became just plain "Starwagon" in Australia. The commercial version is called the "Express" in Australia. Two wheelbases have been offered. In 1990, the Australian market received the naturally aspirated diesel engine as an option; this was the first Delica so equipped in that market. Although the subsequent L400 Delica and Delica Space Gear were introduced in 1994, production of the Delica vans and wagons continued for the Japanese market until 1998. The lineup was actually expanded, as a truck version was introduced in May 1994, finally replacing the long running second generation truck. The Delica truck was available in a short or a long wheelbase, with the LWB version receiving the twin rectangular headlights as previously used on the Delica Star Wagon. The L300/Delica van versions also remained in production for export markets. These export markets received a facelift in 1999, released in September of that year in Australia. In Japan the commercial Delica range was replaced by a badge-engineered Mazda Bongo under an OEM deal which began in November 1999. In May 2013, Mitsubishi discontinued the commercial version of the third generation Delica in Australia—badged as the Mitsubishi Express—due to its inferior safety. The Express was the last new car to be sold in Australia with a one-star ANCAP rating. The Express had changed little since it received a minor model change in 2003. A large range

Fourth generation (1994)

=== 1994–1997 === Released on 12 May 1994, the newest Delica received considerably more aerodynamic bodywork. No truck model was available of this generation, and passenger models were now called Delica Space Gear in the Japanese domestic market. Body specifications of the Space Gear in Japan ranged from XR, XG, Exceed, Super Exceed and Royal Exceed, and both long and short-wheelbase versions were available. The fourth generation Delica shares its engine and transmission with the Mitsubishi Pajero, but unlike the Pajero of its time it is of monocoque construction and lacks a separate chassis. The Delica 4WD still offers ample off-road capabilities, with four-wheel drive, high and low ratio gears and differential locking. It has engine variations from 2.5-litre through to a 2.8-litre intercooled turbo-diesel. 2.4-litre and 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines with 12 or 24 valves are also offered. Apart from the 2.8-litre diesel model all are available as two- or four-wheel drive version. In many export markets, the cargo versions of the fourth generation were called the Mitsubishi L400 while the passenger versions were called Mitsubishi Space Gear – without using the Delica nameplate at all. In South Korea, Hyundai used the Mitsubishi Delica as the base vehicle for the Hyundai Starex (A1) manufactured between 1997 and 2007. In Australia, this generation, known as the WA series was available in both cargo (Mitsubishi Express) and passenger (Mitsubishi Starwagon) versions. The Starwagon was available between September 1994 and 2003. The Express launched at the same time, but continued on until 2005. To differentiate the semi-bonneted WA Express from the cheaper, previous generation SJ series that sold alongside it, the WA models were disambiguated with the "Walk-Thru" designation

Fifth generation (2007)

On 30 October 2006, Mitsubishi announced that the 2007 Delica would be internally designated D:5, and would make its official launch in the Japanese market on 31 January 2007. Bodily configured as a 5-door monobox minivan, petrol Delica models arrived in 2007, while diesel models started production in late 2012 as 2013 models. Available in front- or all-wheel drive configuration using Mitsubishi's AWC system, the Delica is available in both seven- or eight-seating layouts. The basis of the D:5 is the Mitsubishi GS platform which it shares with the Xpander as well as the second and third generation of the Outlander. The Delica D:5's facelift for the 2019 model year was unveiled on 21 November 2018. It made its debut to the public at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon and was released in Japan on 15 February 2019. Development and launch. On 30 October 2006, Mitsubishi Motors announced that the next generation of its monobox (one-box) minivan would be called the Delica D:5, based on the Concept D-5 prototype first exhibited at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show in 2005. It is an eight-seater, that features Mitsubishi's AWC four-wheel drive system and an INVECS-III continuously variable transmission, coupled to a 4B12 2.4 L MIVEC inline-four engine. Based on a new global GS platform, the new Delica features Mitsubishi's next-generation RISE safety body. A 2.0-litre version of this engine is also available. It was released in Japan on 31 January 2007. Available for January 2013 is the clean diesel variant of the D:5, which comes with Mitsubishi's brand new 2.2 L 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (4N14) that produces 148 PS of power and 360 Nm of torque. Mitsubishi claims that this new 4N14 diesel engine is reliable at low revs and smooth acceleration until high revs. With reduced pressure and te

Other models using the name

=== Mitsubishi Delica Truck/Van/Cargo (rebadged Mazda Bongo Truck/Van/Brawny) === Between November 1999 and October 2011 (the Delica Cargo was discontinued in August 2010), Mitsubishi Motors retailed a badge engineered version of the Mazda Bongo as the Delica Truck/Van (short wheelbase) and the Delica Cargo (extended wheelbase) in Japan, replacing the cargo versions of the fourth generation Delica in that market. Mitsubishi Delica D:3/Delica Van (rebadged Nissan NV200). In October 2011, Mitsubishi Motors replaced the Mazda Bongo-based models with a badge engineered version of the Nissan NV200, sold as the Delica D:3 (wagon models) and Delica Van (van models). The Delica D:3 and Delica Van were discontinued in April 2019. Mitsubishi Delica D:2 (rebadged Suzuki Solio). To complement the larger Delica D:5 minivan, a smaller Delica D:2 mini MPV appeared in March 2011. Equipped with a 1.2 L (1,242 cc) four-cylinder Suzuki K12B engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), it is a rebadged Suzuki Solio provided under an original equipment manufacturer deal. Mitsubishi Delica Mini. The Delica Mini is a kei variation of the Delica series. Replacing the eK X Space while still being based on it, it went on sale in May 2023.

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Specifications

name: Mitsubishi Delica
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors
Production: 1968–present
Class: Pickup truck/Light commercial vehicle (1968–present), Minivan (1969–present), Kei car (Delica Mini, 2023–present)
Layout: Front-mid engine, rear-wheel-drive (1968–present), Front-mid engine, four-wheel-drive (1979–1994), Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1994–present), Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (2007–present), Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (1994–present)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.