Mitsubishi’s radical new Delica Crossover is shaping up as a strong contender for Australia, with Australian management pushing to get the business case over the line.
Widely speculated to be known as the D:6 Delica in deference to the outgoing D:5 version that has soldiered on in other parts of the world since 2007, it is slated for an international unveiling next year or sometime during 2025.
This puts the production Delica in a mid-decade on-sale timeframe for Australia, as an MY26 model, though it could come even sooner if some overseas reports are to be believed.
According to Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) President and CEO, Shaun Westcott, the company’s intentions were on display for the world to see at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo in late October this year as the D:X Concept.
“The good news is that, if you followed the Japan Mobility Show… join the dots,” he revealed.
“(MMAL product chief) Oliver Mann kindly brought a (previous-gen D:5) Delica to Australia (for assessment by motoring journalists) … asking for feedback. And if you haven’t worked out why we’re asking for (local) feedback, I’d be surprised.”
While stopping short of confirming the Delica as a certainty for Australia, Westcott said he is very keen to see the next-generation version in local Mitsubishi showrooms as soon as possible.
Its basic proportions, 4x4-levels of ground clearance and front-end styling graphics are expected to translate to the production version (albeit in watered-down form).
“It’s not signed off and guaranteed, but it is definitely a product that we’ve put our hand up for, and said we want it for Australia, and it is obviously under serious consideration,” he explained.
“I can’t give you the answer exactly (when Mitsubishi will unveil the final production version of the D:X Concept), but I can tell you that the fact that we’ve put it out there as a concept vehicle - and that is a concept vehicle - (means) it is clearly on the radar.”
The Mitsubishi Motor Corporation pulled no punches in its attempt to communicate the expanded capabilities and appeal of the next-gen Delica.
Its basic proportions, 4x4-levels of ground clearance and front-end styling graphics are expected to translate to the production version (albeit in watered-down form).
If greenlit for Australia, the next Delica will return Mitsubishi to the MPV multi-purpose vehicle market against the likes of the dominant Kia Carnival and the related Hyundai Staria, but with an off-road twist to appeal to the family recreation and grey nomad markets.
And while the off-road themes suggest that there may be a relationship with the incoming MV Triton ute to launch in Australia next February, the next Delica is more likely to be built on the Outlander SUV’s CMF-C/D (Common Module Family C/D mid-to-large) architecture.
Monocoque like the D:5 version (which uses the old GS platform currently serving the ageing ASX and Eclipse Cross small SUVs in Australia) rather than ladder-frame, the CMF-C/D architecture also underpins nearly two dozen separate models from Renault and Nissan under their combined Alliance strategy.
As we’re reported in the past, the Outlander PHEV is quite capable of light off-road duties.
If greenlit for Australia, the next Delica will return Mitsubishi to the MPV multi-purpose vehicle market against the likes of the dominant Kia Carnival and the related Hyundai Staria, but with an off-road twist to appeal to the family recreation and grey nomad markets.
The Delica badge, which is a portmanteau of Delivery Car, first saw the light of day in 1968, and has been sold in Australia as the Mitsubishi Express for two generations and over several decades from 1980.
As we’re reported in the past, the Outlander PHEV is quite capable of light off-road duties.
By the way, the D:X Concept name refers to “Discover:eXperience” and not Delica Crossover, as some pundits might think.
Speaking of peoples’ thoughts, here’s what Mitsubishi’s global boss, Takao Kato, had to say about the D:X Concept.
(Featured here is the Mitsubishi Delica D5)
“It is a concept car that brings together the best of Mitsubishi Motors' technologies – our electrification and all-wheel control technologies in particular – with a view to realising a carbon-neutral society. We will continue to provide fulfilling mobility lifestyles that awaken the adventurous spirit of drivers and provide excitement for everyone on board."
The Delica badge, which is a portmanteau of Delivery Car, first saw the light of day in 1968, and has been sold in Australia as the Mitsubishi Express for two generations and over several decades from 1980.
It is not related to the Renault Trafic-based Express that was available briefly in this market for two years from 2020.
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