TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Mitsubishi D:X points to Delica future

The 2023 Mitsubishi D:X concept has made its global debut at the Japan Mobility Show today, previewing future generations of the popular Delica MPV both in terms of style and substance.

The Delica has been powered exclusively by petrol and diesel engines, but future iterations will clearly have a heavy bias towards electrification as the D:X has emerged with an Outlander-sourced plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain.

Delica wagons have always been instantly recognisable on or off the road and the same will be true of future models if they look anything like the D:X concept.

The design is headlined by a floating roofline, high-set projection laser lights, mandible-like bumper trim, high hip line and chunky exterior cladding.

The butch space-hopper look is backed up by an aggro set of all-terrain tyres, roof box and two-tone colourway.

That said, it’s the interior which really dials up the futuristic vibe with swivelling seats, camera-based transparent dash and bonnet with augmented reality, octagonal steering wheel with integrated speedo and the lack of a B-pillar which frees up a huge amount of room for entry and exit.

Contrary to most other MPVs, the D:X features a 2+2+2 seating arrangement instead of the usual 2+3+3 layout, but the move means each passenger gets their own freestanding, height-adjustable seat and liberates much more space – albeit at the expense of people-carrying capacity.

Mitsubishi says the cabin was designed around the ‘Maximum Space and Safety for Humans, Maximum Off-Roader for Boundaryless Adventure’ concept and that genuine leather was used for the instrument panel and seat upholstery in the name of quality and comfort.

Other standout features include a high-end sound system developed in conjunction with Yamaha, the S-AWC all-wheel drive system, voice-interactive AI concierge, digital wing mirrors and the absence of a centre console.

“The Mitsubishi D:X Concept is a concept car that brings together the best of Mitsubishi Motors’ technologies – our electrification and all-wheel control technologies in particular – with a view to realising a carbon-neutral society,” said Mitsubishi president and CEO Takao Kato.

“We will continue to provide fulfilling mobility lifestyles that awaken the adventurous spirit of drivers and provide excitement for everyone on board.”

For anyone wondering about the D:X name, Mitsubishi says the ‘D’ stands for ‘discover’ and ‘X’ for ‘experience’.

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