Mitsubishi Delica firms for Oz

The Mitsubishi Delica has long been one of Australia’s most popular privately imported vehicles, but now it has edged closer to official release with news that Mitsubishi Motors Australia (MMAL) is evaluating one of the rugged 4x4 people-movers locally as it continues to develop a business case for the model.

MMAL says it acquired the MY21 Delica, which is currently based at the Japanese brand’s local head office in Adelaide, to conduct market research activities ahead of media evaluations in the coming months.

As we reported in 2019, when a facelift for the fifth-generation (D5) Delica was revealed in Japan, the seven-seat off-road wagon – currently sold only in Asian markets including Japan, Indonesia and Taiwan – has long been on Mitsubishi Australia wish-list.

Now, less than a year after axing its Renault-sourced Express van, MMAL says it is continuing to explore the appeal of the Delica concept with Australian buyers, in the lead-up to a future generation of the go-anywhere family wagon.

“Delica already has a strong following among Australian adventurers and those exploring our wide brown land,” Mitsubishi’s local General Manager for Product Strategy, Oliver Mann, told carsales.

“We’re interested in quantifying this interest, and how the market opportunity for Delica D5 might be optimised.”

Currently produced in both seven- and eight-seat layouts, the Delica D5 is a unique proposition in that it combines a 127kW 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel with all-wheel drive, a locking centre diff and SUV-like ground clearance, making it “relevant as a multipurpose vehicle”.

“With applications as both an urban people-mover and by families of all sizes who have a taste for adventure, we’re interested in understanding Delica’s appeal in its current form, and how the concept might be developed further in relation to both city and off-road/soft-road applications,” said Mann.

Several trim grades are available overseas, including an entry-level M grade priced from ¥4,001,800 (around $A45,000) and the flagship Urban Gear P Edition that tops the range at ¥4,577,100 (roughly $A52,000).

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