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”.
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.
