The is a range of

van A van is a type of road vehicle used for transporting goods or people. There is some variation in the scope of the word across the different English-speaking countries. The smallest vans, microvans, are used for transporting either goods or ...

s and

pickup truck A pickup truck or pickup is a Truck_classification#Table_of_US_GVWR_classifications, light or medium duty truck that has an enclosed cabin (truck), cabin, and a back end made up of a cargo bed that is enclosed by three low walls with no roof (th ...

s designed and built by the Japanese automaker

Mitsubishi Motors is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automobile manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.

since 1968. It was originally based on a

cabover Cab-over, also known as cab over engine (COE), cab forward or flat face (U.S.), flat nose (Canada), or forward control (UK), is a body style of truck, bus, or van that has a vertical front, "flat face" or a semi-hood, with the cab of the ...

and

introduced the previous year, also called the Delica, its name a

contraction Contraction may refer to: Linguistics * Contraction (grammar), a shortened word * Poetic contraction, omission of letters for poetic reasons * Elision, omission of sounds ** Syncope (phonology), omission of sounds in a word * Synalepha, merged ...

of the English language phrase ''Delivery car''. This

, and a

commercial Commercial may refer to: * (adjective for) commerce, a system of voluntary exchange of products and services ** (adjective for) trade, the trading of something of economic value such as goods, services, information or money * a dose of advertising ...

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 A car, or an automobile, is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of cars state that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people rather than cargo. There are around one billio ...

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 In the automotive industry, rebadging (also known as badge engineering, an intentionally ironic misnomer in that little or no actual engineering takes place) is a form of market segmentation used by automobile manufacturers around the world. T ...

Mazda Bongo Brawny (between 1999 and 2010) and

Nissan NV200 The Nissan NV200 is a light commercial vehicle, light commercial and leisure activity vehicle, leisure activity, 4/5-door van designed and produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan since 2009. Overview The vehicle was previewed as the NV200 C ...

(between 2011 and 2019) respectively. Since 2011, the Delica D:2 nameplate has been applied to the rebadged

Suzuki Solio The is a mini MPV produced and marketed by Suzuki since 1997. The preceding model and the first generation Solio were derived from the narrower Wagon R; it was widened mainly for export markets and was originally sold as the Wagon R-Wide or W ...

. Starting in 2023, the Delica Mini nameplate is also used as a

kei car Kei car is the smallest category of Japanese expressway-legal motor vehicles. The term ''kei'' is a shortening of , (kanji: ), which translates to English as "light vehicle" (). With restricted dimensions and engine specifications, owners ...

model based on the eK X Space. __TOC__

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 The canter and gallop are variations on the fastest gait that can be performed by a horse or other equine. The canter is a controlled three-beat gait, while the gallop is a faster, four-beat variation of the same gait. It is a natural gait pos ...

. Using a '' KE44'' 1,088 cc engine producing , its maximum payload was and had a top end speed of . 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 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 was added to the line-up. The smaller 1.1-litre engine may have remained available in a 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 agricultural vehicles, plagiarized the Delica T120 design (even using the same windshield) for their fibreglass-bodied "GS2000" truck. ColtT120Pickup.JPG, 1975–1979 Colt T120, equivalent to Delica 1400 (Indonesia) Mitsubishi Colt T120 light van, rear.jpg, Late Colt T120 van (Malta)

Second generation (1979)

The Delica series was replaced in June 1979 by an all new design, bringing overall width up to the maximum dictated by Japanese regulations for "compact" vehicles. Suspended at the front by an independent wishbone construction and a

leaf spring A leaf spring is a simple form of spring (device), spring commonly used for suspension (vehicle), suspension in wheeled vehicles. Originally called a ''laminated'' or ''carriage spring'', and sometimes referred to as a semi-elliptical spring, e ...

at the rear, the Delica also features sliding side doors and one-piece gas

strut A strut is a structural component commonly found in engineering, aeronautics, architecture and anatomy. Struts generally work by resisting longitudinal compression, but they may also serve in tension. A stay is sometimes used as a synonym for ...

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 A four-wheel drive, also called 4×4 ("four by four") or 4WD, is a two-axled vehicle drivetrain capable of providing torque to all of its wheels simultaneously. It may be full-time or on-demand, and is typically linked via a transfer case pr ...

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, '' Saturn (4G33)'' and 1.6-litre '' Saturn (4G32)'' engines. A 1.8-litre '' Sirius (4G62)'' version producing 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 versatile vehicle utilized a modified version of the

Mitsubishi Pajero The Further information on the Mitsubishi P ...

'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 Road tax, known by various names around the world, is a tax which has to be paid on, or included with, a motorised vehicle to use it on a public road. National implementations Australia All states and territories require an annual vehicle regist ...

due to the larger engines installed in higher trim level packages. 1981 Mitsubishi L300 (31781066825).jpg, Pre-facelift Mitsubishi L300 pickup (New Zealand) Mitsubishi DELICA STAR WAGON XL-5 (E-LO33PW) front.jpg, Pre-facelift Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon (Japan) Mitsubishi DELICA STAR WAGON XL-5 (E-LO33PW) rear.jpg, Pre-facelift Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon (Japan) Dieppe, Seine-Maritime - France (8540843289).jpg, First facelift Mitsubishi L300 converted to a

recreational vehicle A recreational vehicle, often abbreviated as RV, is a motor vehicle or trailer that includes living quarters designed for accommodation. Types of RVs include motorhomes, campervans, coaches, caravans (also known as travel trailers and ca ...

(Europe) Mitsubishi Delica Truck 201.jpg, Second facelift Mitsubishi Delica pickup (Japan) with double rear tires intended for heavier payload duty 1981 Mitsubishi L300 Star Wagon (31921528713).jpg, Mitsubishi L300 Star Wagon 4-door high roof van (New Zealand)

Markets

Australia

Chrysler Australia Stellantis (Australia and New Zealand) Pty Ltd (formerly FCA Australia), is the official Stellantis subsidiary in Australia and New Zealand, operating as distributor of Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Leapmotor vehicles. Ho ...

introduced the ''SA'' series Delica to the Australian market on 14 April 1980 under the name "Chrysler L300 Express" after debuting at the

Adelaide Adelaide ( , ; ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to ei ...

Motor Show on 12 April. After acquiring control of the Chrysler Australia operations in the same month, Mitsubishi Motors renamed the firm

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) is a fully owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation of Japan, headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia. The company was established in 1980 and began vehicle manufacturing in that year, havin ...

in October 1980. This resulted in the rebranding of the L300 Express as a Mitsubishi. Fitted with a 1.6-litre engine and four-speed manual, both van (three-seater commercial) and wagon (eight-seater) variants were offered, with the commercial (van) version available with or without side rear windows. The utility (pickup) version was not sold in Australia, as the L200 Express covered that segment of the market. In November 1981 the ''SB'' series was introduced, now fitted with radial ply tires on larger diameter wheels, thus increasing the payload capacity from . The following month, Mitsubishi introduced the high-roofed luxury "Deluxe" trim, fitted with electric

sunroof A sunroof is a movable panel that opens to uncover a window in an automobile roof, allowing light and fresh air to enter the passenger compartment. Sunroofs can be manually operated or motor driven, and are available in many shapes, sizes and s ...

and cloth upholstery. The next update to the ''SB'' series arrived in October 1982, resulting in the "Deluxe" trim being renamed "Starwagon" and gaining a larger 1.8-litre engine—offered with a five-speed overdrive manual or optional three-speed automatic. The "Star Wagon" (this was written either as one or as two words) moniker was also used on examples assembled by Todd Motors in New Zealand, albeit with the 1.6-litre engine. Mitsubishi extended the availability of the 1.8-litre engine to the lower-specification variants, albeit in automatic guise only. The 1.8 was also available in the long wheelbase, high roof, panel van version. From May 1983, the L300 Express received rectangular headlights in chrome surrounds as part of the ''SC'' iteration. The ''SC'' also featured newly designed black resin bumpers and adjustments to the front suspension spring rate to improve ride and handling. The four-wheel drive version, badged "4WD", came in October 1983 as a 1.8-litre model with floor-mounted five-speed manual only, therefore becoming a seven-passenger model by losing the front-row center seat. After another facelift in October 1984, the car became the ''SD'' series, introducing better equipment and black headlight surrounds along with a black trim piece between the headlights on "Starwagon" and "4WD" trims. The ''SD'' revision also upgraded the "4WD" to a 2.0-litre engine, with the 1.8-litre standard issue in a new long-wheelbase commercial (van) model. A final minor update, the ''SE'' series appeared in 1986. 1982 Mitsubishi L300 Express (SB) van (18353958456).jpg, Mitsubishi L300 Express van (SB, Australia) 1984-1985 Mitsubishi L300 Express (SD) 2.0 van (2015-07-21) 01.jpg, 1985 Mitsubishi L300 Express panel van (SD, Australia) 1985 Mitsubishi L300 Express (SD) 4WD van (2009-11-14) 02.jpg, Mitsubishi L300 Express 4WD van (SD, Australia)

Asia

;Philippines This generation has been produced in the Philippines since 1987 as the "Mitsubishi L300 Versa Van" (discontinued in April 2012) as well as the Cab/Chassis variant where local coach builders assemble rear bodies for passenger and cargo hauling purposes. Variations such as the FB (family business), PET (personnel and equipment transport), WT (water tight aluminum van) and DS (drop side) have been made to cater to those needs. In 2010, an extended rear body variant for the FB variant called the Exceed was added. In 2014, local truck body manufacturer Centro Manufacturing launched a minibus version of the L300 called the XV Mikrobus. It is built on the FB Exceed platform and is meant to be used as a public utility vehicle, a school bus, or an ambulance. It is also meant to revive the Versa Van and to be an alternative to the FB variant. In 2017,

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) (formerly Philippine Automotive Manufacturing Corporation) is the Philippine operation of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), where it is the second-biggest seller of automobiles.Euro 4 standardization project of the DENR and the LTFRB. In April 2019, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines announced that the L300 would be fitted with the '' 4N14'' CRDi engine complied with Euro 4 Emission standards. From 1987 to 2009, the design of the front fascia has changed very little (although there were minor changes to the interior). The L300 received a facelift in 2010 and was sold until 2017. Mitsubishi updated the styling of the L300 for the 2019 model year, now featuring a new horizontal chrome grille similar to the "Dynamic Shield" design language found on other Mitsubishi models like the

Mitsubishi Xpander The Mitsubishi Xpander is a compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors since 2017. Prominently marketed as a " crossover MPV", the vehicle was introduced in July 2017 in Indonesia, where the vehicle is manufactured a ...

and

Mitsubishi Montero Sport The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is a body-on-frame mid-size SUV produced by the Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors using the Pajero nameplate since 1996. Based on the Triton pickup truck, the Pajero Sport has spanned over three generations. ...

to distinguish it from older L300s. In 2020, the local production of the L300 reached 200,000 units. Exports began in April 2022 for Southeast Asian markets, particularly in Indonesia. Mitsubishi L300 Versa Van.jpg, Mitsubishi L300 Versa Van (later pre-facelift model, Philippines) Mitsubishi L300 Versa Van (rear).JPG, Mitsubishi L300 Versa Van (early pre-facelift model, Philippines) 2016 Mitsubishi L300 XV.jpg, 2016 Mitsubishi L300 XV coachbuilt by Centro Manufacturing (first facelift, Philippines) Mitsubishi L300 FB Exceed 2020 (cropped).jpg, 2020 Mitsubishi L300 FB Exceed (second facelift, Philippines). Note the raised cabin to accommodate the new ''4N14'' engine. ;Indonesia This generation is marketed in Indonesia as the Colt L300. The production started in November 1981 with a 1.4-litre ''4G33'' petrol engine. Minor facelift occurred in 1984, the round shape headlights were replaced with square unit. The engine was also replaced with a more powerful 1.6-litre ''4G32'' petrol engine and also a 2.3-litre ''4D55'' diesel engine option. The second facelift occurred in 1987, it received garnish grille with big "MITSUBISHI" badge. The short lived 2.3-litre diesel engine was replaced in 1988 with the larger 2.5-litre ''4D56'' unit. Due to lack of demand, the petrol engine was discontinued around October 1995. The third facelift occurred in 2007 with new grille model and

power steering Power steering is a system for reducing a driver's effort to turn a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, by using a power source to assist steering. Hydraulic or electric actuators add controlled energy to the steering mechanism, so the driver can ...

. Since 2010, Isuzu Indonesia sold this second generation Delica as the Isuzu Bison with an Isuzu Panther-sourced 4JA1L 2.5-litre diesel engine with . The Bison costs higher than a corresponding L300 due to an agreement between the two countries. The production of the L300 was moved from the former PT Krama Yudha Ratu Motor (KRM) plant in Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta to the new Mitsubishi Motors Cikarang plant in Bekasi, West Java beginning in April 2018. In April 2018, the Isuzu Bison was discontinued due to lack of demand and later replaced by Isuzu's fully developed

Traga Traga is the third album by the Chilean band Fiskales Ad-Hok, released in 1995 by Culebra Records, a BMG sub-label. After releasing this album, Fiskales Ad-Hok decided they weren't happy with the label, so they set up an independent label for ...

. Local production of the Colt L300 has been stopped temporarily since April 2022 due to the implementation of the Euro 4 emission standards. In the meantime, the vehicle is imported from the Philippines as the newer '' 4N14'' engine from the Philippine-spec L300 met the standards and received its fourth facelift on 28 June 2022. 2004 Mitsubishi Colt L300 Star Wagon 2.5 L039P by Karya Logam (20200227).jpg, Second facelift Mitsubishi Colt L300 Star Wagon coachbuilt by Karya Logam (Indonesia) 2021 Mitsubishi Colt L300 Pick Up Standard 2.5 L039P (20211007) 01.jpg, Third facelift Mitsubishi Colt L300 Diesel pickup (Indonesia) 2021 Mitsubishi Colt L300 Pick Up Standard 2.5 L039P (20211007) 02.jpg, Rear view 2023 Mitsubishi Colt L300 (cropped).jpg, Fourth facelift Mitsubishi Colt L300 (Indonesia) 2016 Isuzu Bison with modified bed.jpg, Isuzu Bison (Indonesia) ;South Korea In South Korea,

Hyundai Hyundai is a former South Korean industrial conglomerate ("''chaebol''"), which was restructured into the following groups: * Hyundai Group, parts of the former conglomerate which have not been divested ** Hyundai Asan, a real estate construction ...

built the second generation Delica as the "

Hyundai Porter The Hyundai Porter (), also known as the Hyundai H-100, is a cabover Pickup truck produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 1977. History First generation (1977–1981) The first generation, launched in January 1977, was called ...

", replacing an earlier model with the same name. South Korean production of this Porter continued alongside the third generation Delica, which was marketed by Hyundai as the "Grace". This Porter was replaced by an indigenously developed third generation Porter in March 1996. Hyundai Porter 2.5d 1992 (15287112708).jpg, Hyundai Porter (pre-facelift, Chile) Hyundai H100 Porter Super 1997 (9551386696).jpg, Hyundai H100 Porter (facelift, Chile) ;India From 1997 to 2000, the car was sold by

Mahindra & Mahindra Mahindra & Mahindra is an Indian automobile manufacturing company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It was established in 1945 as Mahindra & Mohammed and later renamed Mahindra & Mahindra. Part of the Mahindra Group, M&M is one of the lar ...

in India as the "Mahindra Voyager", but priced too high it was taken out of production after only a little over two years. The Voyager did meet with some success as an ambulance and as a cargo van, but this association only further prevented prospective private purchasers. Unique to the Mahindra Voyager is the fitment of PSA's 2.5-litre XD3P diesel engine, producing DIN at 4000 rpm.

Third generation (1986)

In June 1986, the Delica underwent its third full model change. More aerodynamic than previous versions, its

monocoque Monocoque ( ), also called structural skin, is a structural system in which loads are supported by an object's external skin, in a manner similar to an egg shell. The word ''monocoque'' is a French term for "single shell". First used for boats, ...

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 The , also known as Mazda E-Series, Eunos Cargo, and the Ford Econovan, is a cabover van and pickup truck manufactured by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Mazda since 1966. The Bongo name was also used for the #Friendee, Bongo Friendee, whic ...

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 of engines were available, from a 1.4-litre up to a 2.4-litre petrol, and also a 2.5-litre diesel and turbodiesel, plus a 2.6-litre naturally aspirated diesel. Rear- or four-wheel drive, several bodystyles and two different wheelbases made for a particularly extensive line-up. The four-wheel drive chassis was based on that of the contemporary

Mitsubishi Pajero The Further information on the Mitsubishi P ...

, although parts are seldom interchangeable. Late general export market versions received a carburetted 16-valve version of the 2.0-litre 4G63 four-cylinder, with at 6,000 rpm.

Markets

Asia

Cargo versions are built by the

China Motor Corporation China Motor Corporation (CMC; ) is an automobile manufacturer based in Taipei, Taiwan. History It was founded in June 1969, and signed a technology sharing contract with Mitsubishi Motors the following year. On 12 December 1973 they opened th ...

in Taiwan. This generation Delica was also built under license by

of South Korea, where it was called the "Hyundai Grace" or "Hyundai H-100" in some Eurasian markets. Launched in December 1986, this version originally received the twin headlights as used in the US market versions, but after a front-end facelift the new more aerodynamic version received thinner and more rounded headlights. This version was called the "New Grace". Both the 2.4-litre petrol and 2.5-litre turbo-diesel inline-four engines were available, both Mitsubishi designs. Hyundai terminology resulted in the ''4D56'' diesel engine being renamed ''D4BX'' / ''D4BA''. It takes two more minor changes at each 1996 and 2002, production ended in end of 2003. In 1996, the Delica was also rebadged under the

Soueast South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd., trading as Soueast, is a Chinese automobile manufacturer based in Fuzhou, Fujian, a subsidiary of Chery. It conducts production and sale of passenger vehicle under the Soueast marque. It used to manufactures ...

brand, which occurred through 2013. In the Philippines, this generation of the Delica was called the "L300 Exceed" to differentiate itself to the ageing second generation L300 Versa Van which was still being sold there at that time, and was introduced starting from 1997. Although prior to that, Hyundai has already been selling its pre-facelift rebadged sibling, the Hyundai Grace since the start of the 1990s. 1990 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon 2.5l Turbo Diesel 4WD JDM US Grey market vehicle.jpg, 1990 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon 4WD (Japan, pre-facelift) Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon 303.JPG, Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon (Japan, facelift) Mitsubishi Delica Truck 001.JPG, Pre-facelift Mitsubishi Delica pickup (Japan) Hyundai grace front.jpg, Pre-facelift Hyundai Grace (South Korea) 2007 СMC-Mitsubishi Delica (front).jpg, 2007 Mitsubishi Delica van by CMC (Taiwan) Mitsubishi Delica Truck (Taiwanese facelift).jpg, 2013 Mitsubishi Delica truck by CMC (Taiwan) Mitsubishi Delica facelift, Taichung, Taiwan 20230121 (cropped).jpg, 2019 Mitsubishi Delica van by CMC (Taiwan) Mitsubishi Delica facelift by CMC 003.jpg, 2019 Mitsubishi Delica van by CMC (Taiwan) 1995 Hyundai Grace Sweden.JPG, Hyundai Grace Soueast Delica facelift China 2012-04-15.jpg, Soueast Delica first facelift (China) Soueast Delica facelift II 02 China 2015-04-06.jpg, Soueast Delica first facelift (China) SOUEAST DELICA (15).jpg, Soueast Delica second facelift (China)

North America

From 1987 until 1990, Mitsubishi sold this model in small numbers in the United States as the "Wagon" for passenger versions and "Van" for windowless cargo versions. The US versions all received a version of the 2.4-litre ''4G64'' engine. For model years 1990 and 1991 an LS version of the Wagon was added. Taiwanese-produced CMC Delica vans are sold in Mexico as the Dodge 1000 as of July 2007. The Mitsubishi Expo LRV replaced the Van/Wagon in 1992. Once the fifteen-year minimum age threshold was reached, enthusiasts began importing

Japanese domestic market The term "Japanese domestic market" ("JDM") refers to Japan's home market for vehicles and vehicle parts. Japanese owners contend with a strict motor vehicle inspection and grey markets. JDM is also incorrectly used as a term colloquially to ref ...

Delicas to Canada. The 4WD turbo diesel van is also a common choice for Canadian postal workers who require a right-hand drive vehicle. The United States has a 25-year threshold for importing cars, and recently

Delicas have begun to gain a following there as well. Since 2007, the Cargo versions built by the

Taiwan Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...

are being exported to Mexico wearing

Dodge Dodge is an American brand of automobiles and a division of Stellantis, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Dodge vehicles have historically included performance cars, and for much of its existence, Dodge was Chrysler's mid-priced brand above P ...

badges. From 2021, the

Maine Maine ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the United States, and the northeasternmost state in the Contiguous United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Provinces and ...

Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) began actively de-registering Delicas imported into the United States that were previously registered in Maine under the 25-year federal import rule, by classifying it as an off-road

all-terrain vehicle An all-terrain vehicle (ATV), also known as a light utility vehicle (LUV), a quad bike or quad (if it has four wheels), as defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), is a vehicle that travels on low-pressure tires, has a seat ...

Europe

Introduced for 1987, the British market received the L300 with either the 1.6- petrol or 2.5-litre diesel engine. Both wheelbases were available. In continental Europe the car was also sold as the L300, with engine options depending on local taxation and market conditions.

Fourth generation (1994)

1994–1997

Released on 12 May 1994, the newest Delica received considerably more

aerodynamic Aerodynamics () is the study of the motion of atmosphere of Earth, air, particularly when affected by a solid object, such as an airplane wing. It involves topics covered in the field of fluid dynamics and its subfield of gas dynamics, and is an ...

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 The Further information on the Mitsubishi P ...

, 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

, 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 The term turbo-diesel, also written as turbodiesel and turbo diesel, refers to any diesel engine equipped with a turbocharger. As with other engine types, turbocharging a diesel engine can significantly increase its efficiency and power output, ...

. 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. The Australian Starwagons were made available in four levels of specification: GL, GLX, GLS and 4WD. Mitsubishi fitted the GL with a 2.0-litre carburetored inline-four, with the GLX gaining a fuel-injected 2.4-litre inline-four, and the GLS a 3.0-litre V6. Both four-cylinder engines were fitted standard with a five-speed manual transmission with optional four-speed column-shift automatic. The 3.0-litre GLS offered a four-speed floor-mounted automatic as its sole transmission option. The facelift model, released in 1996 saw the range rationalised with only the base GL and mid-range GLX models retained.

1997–2007

In 1997, the Delica was upgraded with a

facelift A facelift, technically known as a rhytidectomy (from the Ancient Greek () 'wrinkle', and () 'excision', the surgical removal of wrinkles), is a type of cosmetic surgery procedure intended to give a more youthful facial appearance. There are ...

model. The upgrade is mostly cosmetic with changes to the lighting clusters and front body panel, with the integration of a moulded bumper in place of the original three section bullbar. The engine was upgraded with an electronic control type distribution type jet pump and an electronic sidestep was made standard on the higher specification versions. A final facelift was released in Japan in August 2002. File:2005 Mitsubishi Express (WA MY05) van (2015-11-11) 01.jpg, 2005 Mitsubishi Express (Australia) File:2005 Mitsubishi Express (WA MY05) van (2015-11-11) 02.jpg, 2005 Mitsubishi Express (Australia) File:1999 Mitsubishi Starwagon (WA) GLX van (2015-06-25) 01.jpg, 1999 Mitsubishi Starwagon GLX (Australia) File:Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear Chamonix 001.jpg, Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear Chamonix Mont-Blanc (Japan) File:Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear Chamonix 002.JPG, Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear Chamonix (Japan)

2003–2008 Taiwanese facelift

In Taiwan, the third generation Delica continued to be produced and sold while the fourth generation Delica was simply named the Mitsubishi Space Gear, and was positioned above the third generation model. Initial versions of the Space Gear produced and sold in Taiwan was identical to the Series 2 Japanese facelift. However, in 2005 a final facelift was conducted exclusively in Taiwan with minor changes done to the grilles, front and rear bumpers, and front and rear light units. File:2005 CMC-Mitsubishi Space Gear 2400 (facelift, front).jpg, Mitsubishi Space Gear (2003 facelift) File:2005 CMC-Mitsubishi Space Gear 2400 (facelift, rear).jpg, Mitsubishi Space Gear (2003 facelift) File:Mitsubishi Space Gear (Taiwanese facelift).jpg, Mitsubishi Space Gear LWB (2005 facelift)

China

The Dongfeng Fengxing Lingzhi is a range of MPVs produced by

Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor Group, located in the city of Liuzhou, Guangxi, China. Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor was founded in 1954 and entered the field of automobile production in 1969. It manufactures passenge ...

under the Dongfeng Fengxing sub-brand. At launch, the Fengxing Lingzhi was essentially a rebadged third generation Mitsubishi Delica or the Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear. The Delica platform was acquired from Taiwan's

, a partner of

Mitsubishi Motors is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automobile manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.

. Therefore, the initial facelifts from Dongfeng Liuzhou were identical to the Taiwanese China Motor Corporation built Mitsubishi Space Gear. After the China Motor Corporation built Mitsubishi Space Gears were discontinued in Taiwan, Dongfeng Liuzhou continued the production in China and conducted their own facelifts and development of the model. Three trim levels were developed after the facelift by Dongfeng Liuzhou was conducted, including the Lingzhi M5, M3, and V3, which targets different groups of consumers and were priced differently. The M5 is the premium version, featuring a restyled front DRG and restyled tail lamps with prices ranging from 77,900 yuan to 98,900 yuan. The M3 being the basic passenger version sharing the same front DRG design and same tail lamps with the V3 but with clear DLO with prices ranging from 55,900 yuan to 71,900 yuan. The V3 is the utility cargo version with a sealed cargo area and being the most affordable of the three trim levels with prices ranging from 55,900 yuan to 66,900 yuan. Each trim is available with a long wheelbase version called the Lingzhi M5L, M3L, and V3L respectively all sharing the same tail lamp design. Dongfeng Fengxing Lingzhi China 2012-04-22.jpg, Dongfeng Fengxing Lingzhi (Mk1) 2006 Dongfeng-Fengxing Lingzhi, front 8.3.18.jpg, Dongfeng Fengxing Lingzhi (Mk2) Dongfeng Fengxing Lingzhi 2 China 2015-04-10.jpg, Dongfeng Fengxing Lingzhi (M3) Dongfeng Fengxing Lingzhi M5 China 2015-04-06.jpg, Dongfeng Fengxing Lingzhi (M5) Dongfeng Fengxing Lingzhi M5 facelift 01 China 2017-04-05.jpg, Dongfeng Fengxing Lingzhi (M5) facelift

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 An all-wheel drive vehicle (AWD vehicle) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand. Types The most common forms of all-wheel drive are: ;1x1 : All unicycles Reflects one axle with ...

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 The GS platform (also known as "Project Global" by Mitsubishi) is a compact car platform co-developed and shared by Mitsubishi Motors and DaimlerChrysler. History After dissolution of the DaimlerChrysler / Mitsubishi partnership in 2004, DaimlerC ...

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 The is an annual auto show held in January at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan for Performance and custom aftermarket parts and technology displays. Hosted by the Nippon Auto Parts Aftermarket Committee (NAPAC), the Tokyo Auto Salon is one ...

and was released in Japan on 15 February 2019.

Development and launch

On 30 October 2006,

Mitsubishi Motors is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automobile manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.

announced that the next generation of its monobox (one-box)

minivan Minivan (sometimes called simply a van) is a car classification for vehicles designed to transport passengers in the rear seating row(s), with reconfigurable seats in two or three rows . The equivalent classification in Europe is MPV (multi-p ...

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

system and an '' INVECS-III''

continuously variable transmission A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is an automated Transmission (mechanical device), transmission that can change through a continuous range of gear ratios, typically resulting in better fuel economy in gasoline applications. This contr ...

, coupled to a 4B12 2.4 L

MIVEC MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system) is the brand name of a variable valve timing (VVT) engine technology developed by Mitsubishi Motors. MIVEC, as with other similar systems, varies the timing of the intake and ex ...

inline-four engine A straight-four engine (also referred to as an inline-four engine) is a four-cylinder piston engine where cylinders are arranged in a line along a common crankshaft. The majority of automotive four-cylinder engines use a straight-four layout ( ...

. Based on a new global GS platform, the new Delica features Mitsubishi's next-generation ''

RISE Rise or RISE may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional entities * '' Rise: The Vieneo Province'', an internet-based virtual world * Rise FM, a fictional radio station in the video game ''Grand Theft Auto 3'' * Rise Kujikawa, a vide ...

'' 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 temperature in the cylinder, it achieves a low compression ratio of 14.9. The Mitsubishi Delica D:5 with Clean Diesel engine has a fuel consumption of 13.6 km/L based on JC08 Mode cycle. The Delica D:5 was officially sold in Indonesia between 2014 and 2019, where it was imported from Japan. It was launched on 18 September 2014 at the 22nd

Indonesia International Motor Show The Indonesia International Motor Show (formerly Gaikindo Auto Expo) is an annual automotive exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is organized by Dyandra Promosindo, a subsidiary of Kompas Gramedia. Since 2009, the exhibition is held at Jakarta ...

, marketed as the "Delica". It is only available in FWD petrol engine variant based on 2.0 G Power Package 2WD trim with seven-seater seating configuration. The variant called Royal was added later and it was based on G-Premium package with same engine. It was also introduced in Thailand in March 2015 as the "Delica Space Wagon".

Body and exterior

The exterior features a large bar grille which connects the headlights, as well as the rear which incorporates a tailgate garnish, which runs the full-width of the rear side. The D:5 features front and rear bumpers that include skid plate styling and use a functional sectional design that facilitates repair work for a small amount of damage. Retaining its basic dimensions from the previous model, the D:5's overall height has decreased by about , while its interior height has increased also by about . It also has higher ground clearance. Fourteen distinct body colours are available; seven monotone colours, while seven two-tone colours are available. Sized as a large MPV /

, the Delica is placed in the

M-segment Minivan (sometimes called simply a van) is a car classification for vehicles designed to transport passengers in the rear seating row(s), with reconfigurable seats in two or three rows . The equivalent classification in Europe is MPV (multi-p ...

in British size classification. The Delica's estimated drag coefficient is 0.42 ''C''_''d'', which is relatively high in comparison to its competitors such as the

Toyota Alphard The is a minivan produced by the Japanese automaker Toyota since 2002. It is available as a seven or eight-seater with petrol and hybrid engine options. Hybrid variants have been available since 2003, which incorporates Toyota's Hybrid Syne ...

AH30 at only 0.33. The Delica also features the "rib-bone frame" design uses closed-section joins to link the pillars, roof bows and underfloor cross-members in rings positioned at the pillars and the tailgate opening, which improves body rigidity and durability as well as to help prevent crashworthiness. The vehicle uses more rust-resistant steel on the floor structure than the Delica Space Gear, which was a fourth generation model. The D:5 also utilizes body corrosion resistance, which has been improved significantly due to extensive use of underfloor sealing and with the application of more undercoat. Fender panels, which are made of plastic resin are used on the D:5, and are able to bend and recover shape easily. This switch of material reduces weight by . Power sliding rear doors and an electric tailgate are now standard. An available exterior feature is a "Triple Panorama Sunroof", which offers a trio of sunroofs, where two tilt and one power slides. File:Mitsubishi Delica D5 004.JPG, Rear view File:Delicad5interior.jpg, Interior

Equipment

Standard equipment includes Xenon HID headlights, 3x SRS

airbags An airbag is a vehicle occupant-restraint system using a bag designed to inflate in milliseconds during a collision and then deflate afterwards. It consists of an airbag cushion, a flexible fabric bag, an inflation module, and an impact sensor. ...

for the passenger, driver, and the driver's knee,

anti-lock braking system An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a Automotive safety, safety anti-Skid (automobile), skid Brake, braking system used on aircraft and on land motor vehicle, vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. ABS operates by preventing t ...

(ABS),

electronic brakeforce distribution Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD or EBFD) or electronic brakeforce limitation (EBL) is an automobile brake technology that automatically varies the amount of force applied to each of a vehicle's wheels, based on road conditions, speed, lo ...

(EBD), Active Stability Control, which is a Mitsubishi's variant of

electronic stability control Electronic stability control (ESC), also referred to as electronic stability program (ESP) or dynamic stability control (DSC), is a computerized technology that improves a car handling, vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of Tract ...

, dual-way

air conditioning Air conditioning, often abbreviated as A/C (US) or air con (UK), is the process of removing heat from an enclosed space to achieve a more comfortable interior temperature, and in some cases, also controlling the humidity of internal air. Air c ...

, headlining that removes the smell of odors, UV-cut glass, interior illumination with adjustable

LED lamp An LED lamp or LED light is an electric light that produces light using light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LED lamps are significantly more energy-efficient than equivalent incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps. The most efficient commercial ...

system, and

start-stop system A start-stop system (also referred to as idling stop or micro hybrid) is a technology that automatically shuts down and restarts a vehicle's internal combustion engine to reduce idle time, with the aim of lowering fuel consumption and emissio ...

for the turbo diesel. Available features are either single or dual power sliding side doors, parking cameras, power folding side step, Rockford Fosgate Premium sound system with an 860W amplifier, 12 speakers with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, airbags for all three rows of seats, luxury driver seats,

smart key A smart key is a vehicular passive entry system developed by Siemens in 1995 and introduced by Mercedes-Benz under the name "Keyless-Go" in 1998 on the W220 S-Class, after the design patent was filed by Daimler-Benz on May 17, 1997. Numerous ma ...

cruise control Cruise control (also known as speed control, cruise command, autocruise, or tempomat) is a system that automatically controls the speed of an automobile. The system is a servomechanism that takes over the car's throttle to maintain a steady sp ...

, and a steering wheel with optionally mounted phone and buttons. Standard on G-Premium and G-Navi package, is a 30-

gigabyte The gigabyte () is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information. The SI prefix, prefix ''giga-, giga'' means 109 in the International System of Units (SI). Therefore, one gigabyte is one billion bytes. The unit symbol for the gigabyte i ...

hard disk drive on-board navigation system as well as 7-inch

liquid-crystal display A liquid-crystal display (LCD) is a flat-panel display or other Electro-optic modulator, electronically modulated optical device that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals combined with polarizers to display information. Liq ...

. A 9-inch wide display with a built-in DVD/CD player and infrared headphones are mounted on the rear cabin ceiling as an optional

luxury Luxury may refer to: *Luxury goods, an economic good or service for which demand increases more than proportionally as income rises *Luxury tax, a tax on products not considered essential, such as speedboats or diamonds. **Luxury tax (sports), a ...

on the G-Premium and G-Navi models. All models except the M trim are equipped with 225/55R18 tires on light and stiff 7-spoke alloy road wheels. The M trim features 215/70R16 tires on steel wheels with full wheel covers. The Delica D:5 features the

MacPherson strut The MacPherson strut is a type of automotive suspension system that uses the top of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. It is widely used in the front suspension of modern vehicles. The name comes from American automotive engineer ...

suspension at the front, while at the rear is a

multi-link suspension A multi-link suspension is a type of independent vehicle suspension having three or more control links per wheel. These arms do not have to be of equal length, and may be angled away from their "obvious" direction. It was first introduced in th ...

setup.

2019 facelift

The 2019 facelift Delica D:5 was unveiled in Japan on 21 November 2018 with the "Dynamic Shield" design language, having a 10.1-inch infotainment system and e-Assist. MITSUBISHI DELICA D5 STANDARD 2019 001 (cropped).jpg, 2019 Mitsubishi Delica D:5 2.2 DI-D MITSUBISHI DELICA D5 STANDARD 2019 002 (cropped).jpg, 2019 Mitsubishi Delica D:5 2.2 DI-D MITSUBISHI DELICA D5 URBAN GEAR 2019 01 (cropped).jpg, 2019 Mitsubishi Delica D:5 Urban Gear 2.2 DI-D MITSUBISHI DELICA D5 URBAN GEAR 2019 02 (cropped).jpg, 2019 Mitsubishi Delica D:5 Urban Gear 2.2 DI-D MITSUBISHI DELICA D5 URBAN GEAR 2019 03.jpg, Interior (facelift)

Sales

At the start of its market release, Mitsubishi sets monthly sales target of 2,300 units the Delica D:5 it was underperforming over the years. A few years later the sales target was decrease to 1,300 units however the Delica D:5 exceeded the target in the years of 2019, 2022 and 2023.

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 In the automotive industry, rebadging (also known as badge engineering, an intentionally ironic misnomer in that little or no actual engineering takes place) is a form of market segmentation used by automobile manufacturers around the world. T ...

version of the

as the Delica Truck/Van (short wheelbase) and the Delica Cargo (extended wheelbase) in

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

, 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

, 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 four-cylinder Suzuki ''K12B'' engine and a

(CVT), it is a rebadged

provided under an original equipment manufacturer deal.

Mitsubishi Delica Mini (B34A/B35A/B37A/B38A)

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. It will be offered in G, G Premium, T and T Premium grade levels. File:Mitsubishi DELICA MINI T Premium 4WD (4AA-B38A-HXTTZZ) rear.jpg, Rear view

Awards

Mitsubishi Delica Mini Won Design Car of the year award at 2023-2024 Japan car of the year. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's Delica Mini super height-wagon kei-car has been awarded the Design Car of the Year at the 2023-2024 Japan Car of the Year awards. This prestigious award recognizes cars with exceptional exterior and interior design. This is a significant achievement for Mitsubishi Motors as it is the first time they have won this award.

Production

''(Sources
Facts & Figures 2000Facts & Figures 2005Facts & Figures 2008Facts & Figures 2010
Mitsubishi Motors website)''

Indonesia (Colt L300)

References

External links

* {{Hyundai timeline 1968–1997 Delica Vehicles introduced in 1968 1970s cars 1980s cars 1990s cars 2000s cars 2010s cars 2020s cars Cab over vehicles Minivans Vans Minibuses Pickup trucks Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Front-wheel-drive vehicles All-wheel-drive vehicles