How about a van like the Mitsubishi Delica for off-road touring?
No off-road tourer has ever said “that’s too much space”. So why aren’t we driving 4×4 vans? And we’re thinking about the Mitsubishi Delica…
NOW, TO BE fair, there are a fair few imported Delicas in Australia, older models based on Pajero Gen II running gear complete with low-range and Super Select. But why not these:
Look at all that lovely loadspace! No need to tow a trailer with that sort of capacity.
Here’s what it looks like inside:
Yes indeed, this is the modern Mitsubishi Delica. They don’t appear to have low range, but they are 4WD. Not the greatest of clearances, but you could do a lot worse than tour Australia in one of these.
We asked Mitsubishi Australia why they don’t import them, and the answer was simple. Lack of demand, and its reckons the market for people movers in Australia is only around 10,000 a year of which the Delica would be a small proportion. Shame, but you can’t expect them to take decisions which aren’t commercially feasible. I guess we’ll need to wait for grey import laws and bring in our own.
Here’s a nicely set up Delica grey import to show what can be done:
So…would you drive an offroading van? If not, why not?
Here’s some passionate Mitsubishi fans gathering for a Muster in 2010, with a few Delicas here and there.
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3 Comments
You only have to see how many Toyota Hiaces ply the Australian roads to realise the opportunity Mitsubishi is missing out on by not importing a commercial blind van version of this vehicle, let alone the passenger version.
Couldn’t agree more, Andrew. Mitsubishi is being a little narrow in looking at 4×4 Delica as just a people mover… it would surely appeal beyond that into the off-road touring market, and compete with the likes of Pajero Sport, Fortuner and Everest… Isaac
Another case of Mitsubishi snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. The previous delicia appears to be more popular now. Had it evolved to carry current Mitsubishi 4×4 running gear who knows.
There was a concept shown in tokyo ms 2013 of a forward control version of the gcphev Gen5 pajero.
Without low range or an 8forward2reverse gearbox I wouldn’t bother.