Mitsubishi’s Electrified Crossover MPV Concept Could Preview The Next-Gen Delica D:5

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Mitsubishi gave us a better idea of what to expect at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 with the second teaser of its “electrified crossover MPV” concept. The adventure-packed minivan could serve as a preview for the successor of the aging Mitsubishi Delica D:5.

Following an earlier teaser that revealed the front lighting signature of the yet-unnamed “Borderless Adventure” themed concept, Mitsubishi now shows us its tail, confirming the single-box silhouette. The T-shaped LED taillights are integrated into the rear glass, as with the illuminated Mitsubishi emblem. We can’t see the lower portion of the bodywork, but there is a roof-mounted box that could house a retractable tent or extra space for cargo. Another interesting detail is the brackets for the mirror-replacing cameras. The previous teaser suggested that the concept has a 6-seater layout in a “vastly spacious cabin”.

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The press release suggests that the concept will combine “the road handling of an SUV with the comfort and user-friendliness of an MPV” while representing a step towards a carbon-neutral society. The electrified powertrain will offer “the cruising range and driving performance to handle all kinds of adventures”. This description hints at a plug-in hybrid setup rather than being fully electric, something that is supported by its ability to “switch driving modes as the situation demands”. In any case, Mitsubishi confirmed that the concept will come with an electric four-wheel drive system, making it off-road-capable in combination with the high ground clearance and large-diameter tires.

Mitsubishi hasn’t revealed any production aspirations for the electrified crossover MPV concept but given the timing of its launch and its adventurous character, local media suspect it could evolve into the successor of the Delica D:5. The current fifth-gen model has been around largely unchanged since 2007, with a facelift in 2018 making this the right time for a clean-sheet design.

Other Exhibits

The automaker announced a second concept for the show in Tokyo, in collaboration with a startup company called Lifehub Inc.3 which specializes in the development of next-gen mobility chairs. The “Last 1 Mile Mobility” is a small mobility vehicle that looks like a buggy and has room for a rider and a passenger. This one is fully electric, sourcing energy from used batteries taken from electrified vehicles.

Besides the aforementioned concepts, Mitsubishi’s lineup at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 will include the new Triton/L200, a replica of its rally version that took part in the Asia Cross Country Rally alongside the Delica D:5 support vehicle, and its current range of production vehicles (Outlander PHEV, Delica D:5, Eclipse Cross PHEV, Delica Mini, and eK X EV).