Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to Launch New Delica D:3 Minivan and Delica Van Light Commercial Vehicle in Japan

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that it will launch the Delica D:3*, a new compact minivan, and the Delica Van, a new light commercial vehicle in the Japanese market on October 27. The Delica D:3 and Delica Van have a manufacturer´s suggested retail price of between 1,879,000 and 1,974,000 and between 1,685,000 and 1,965,000 respectively.
* The name Delica is coined from "Delivery Car;" D is the initial letter of "Delica" and the number 3 is used by the company to denote a vehicle of minivan size.
The Delica D:3 targets larger families as it covers a wide range of purposes from everyday to leisure use. The Delica D:3 and Delica Van to be added to the Delica range are both models supplied to MMC by Nissan Motor on an OEM basis and is a result of the agreement to expand business collaboration reached between the two companies in December last year.
The new Delica Van fits into the same size class as the current Delica Van and offers top-of-class load carrying capacity as well as a level of fuel economy that qualifies it for Japanese eco-car tax incentives, making it the ideal light commercial vehicle for business use. The replacement of the current Delica Van with the new model will also be accompanied by the withdrawal of the Delica Truck from the lineup.
   
I   Product Features
1.   Delica D:3
1)   Overview
The Delica D:3 compact minivan uses styling that marries a sporty front end and passenger compartment with a boxy rear end. With sliding doors on both sides the vehicle delivers outstanding interior space and comfort, load carrying capacity and small item storage space. The Delica D:3 is offered in two trim levels: the G trim level which accommodates seven passengers in three rows of seats while the M trim level accommodates five passengers in two rows of seats.
2)   Packaging
The Delica D:3 measures in with an overall width of 1695mm, an overall length of 4400mm that allows a compact turning radius of 5.2 m and gives excellent maneuverability, and a lofty overall height of 1850mm. These dimensions provide a comfortable and roomy interior space together with a spacious luggage compartment.
The optimized hip point and low entry step make for easy access to and from the vehicle, while the high driver position which provides a greater point of view and generous head clearance provide a comfortable and spacious driving experience.
3)   Cargo area capacity & storage
The G trim level with its three rows of seats offers 39 seating configurations to accommodate between two and seven occupants and to meet different load carrying requirements. This allows the luggage compartment to be tailored for daily shopping purposes or for leisure use, suitable for carrying groceries as well as larger items such as bicycles and surfboards.
The flat floor design of the spacious luggage compartment makes it suitable for carrying a variety of loads and also makes it ideal for outdoor leisure use, including sleeping in the vehicle.
The dashboard with its tray, pockets, glove compartment and drink holders provides a wealth of small-item storage space. The front passenger seat can be folded down to provide a convenient table space.
4)   Environmental performance
The Delica D:3 uses a lightweight all-aluminum 1.6-liter engine mated to an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission that provides smooth and nimble performance. In the Japanese 10-15 mode cycle, both the G and M trim level return fuel economy of 13.2 km/liter. In the JC08 mode cycle, the G and M trim levels return 12.8 km/liter and 13.2 km/liter respectively.
The Delica D:3´s Multi-information Display gives average and up-to-the-second fuel consumption as well as average vehicle speed readouts, assisting the driver to achieve the most economical operation of the vehicle.
5)   Safety
The Delica D:3 uses an impact-resistant body with a high-efficiency energy absorbing structure and a strengthened cabin structure. Other safety features include SRS airbags for driver and front passenger as well as anti-lock braking with electronically controlled brake force distribution and brake assist.
 
2.   Delica Van
1)   Overview
The Delica Van is a light commercial vehicle that provides a very spacious cargo compartment within a compact body and qualifies for Japanese eco-car tax incentives. It is offered in two trim levels: the GX which comes with a 4-speed automatic transmission and passenger-focused trim, and the DX which comes with either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission and a more cargo-focused specification.
2)   Packaging
The Delica Van measures in with an overall width of 1695mm, with an overall length of 4400mm that allows a compact turning radius of 5.2 m and gives excellent maneuverability, and a lofty overall height of 1855mm. These dimensions provide a comfortable interior space together with a roomy cargo compartment.
The optimized hip point and low entry step make for easy access to and from the vehicle, while the high driver position which provides a greater point of view and generous head clearance provide a comfortable and spacious driving experience.
3)   Cargo area capacity & storage
The Delica Van´s cargo compartment provides a top-of-class level of space (see below chart). With a ground clearance of 520mm the floor height makes for easier loading and unloading of heavy items.
With two occupants aboard, the Delica Van can carry a maximum load of 600 kg. The flat floor and square rear end design allow up to 190 commonly-used cardboard boxes of A4-sized copy paper to be carried. The flat and square-shaped cargo compartment floor allows tatami mats and other flooring materials up to 1.8 meters long to be carried.
The dashboard with its tray, pockets, glove compartment and drink holders provides a wealth of small-item storage space. The front passenger seat can be folded down to provide a convenient table space.
4)   Environmental performance
The Delica Van is powered by a lightweight all-aluminum 1.6-liter engine. Models using the electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission (GX and DX) return emissions that are 75 percent lower than the Japanese government´s 2005 Emissions Standards and provide fuel economy that is 25 percent better than the Japanese government´s 2010 Fuel Economy Standards to qualify for eco-car tax incentives (a 75 percent reduction in vehicle weight and excise tax.) The 5-speed manual transmission DX returns emissions that are 75 percent lower than the Japanese government´s 2005 Emissions Standards and returns fuel economy that is 20 percent better than the Japanese government´s 2010 Fuel Economy Standards to also qualify for eco-car tax incentives (a 50 percent reduction in vehicle weight and excise tax.)
The Delica Van´s Multi-information Display gives average and up-to-the-second fuel consumption as well as average vehicle speed readouts, assisting the driver to achieve the most economical operation of the vehicle.
5)   Safety
The Delica Van uses an impact-resistant body with a high-efficiency energy absorbing structure and a strengthened cabin structure. Other safety features include SRS airbags for driver and front passenger as well as anti-lock braking with electronically controlled brake force distribution and brake assist.
 
II   Sales information
Sales targets
1)   Delica D:3     1,000 units (2011 fiscal year)
2)   Delica Van    1,200 units (2011 fiscal year)
Availability
Delica D:3 and Delica Van will be on sale at MMC dealerships throughout Japan.