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Thursday, February 01, 2007
Mitsubishi's renaissance continues with the launch this week in Japan of this all-new Delica D-5 minivan.
The Delica is a big seven-seat people-carrier that shares its platform, 2.4-litre four-cylinder twin cam engine and continuously variable transmission with the new Outlander. Its predecessor has gathered quite a following in the UK as a grey import, though there are no plans to bring the new D-5 to Britain.
There's a big market in Japan for boxy, affordable, utilitarian minivans, and the funky-looking D-5 (for fifth generation) with its power sliding rear doors and cavernous interior looks to fit that bill to a tee.
As with its predecessor, the latest Delica offers selectable four-wheel-drive, high ground clearance, but only moderate off-road ability. Expect to start seeing the D-5 on UK roads in 2010 – the notoriously tough Japanese MoT test means many vehicles over three years old end up being exported.
Peter Nunn
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