Mitsubishi Delica - a minivan with decent characteristics

Mitsubishi Delica - nine-seat minivan - produced by the Japanese automobile concern Mitsubishi Motors. The first car came off the assembly line in 1968, and since then, five generations of this popular brand have changed. Initially, the car was assembled on the basis of a pickup truck and was intended for service and delivery of various goods. The name of the model comes from the combination of the words "delivery" - delivery and "car" - auto. Later, several modifications appeared: a cargo-and-passenger variant, a cruise for long-distance travel and a universal city minivan for business trips.

The car was sold in different countries under different names:

• In Europe and New Zealand - Mitsubishi Delica L300 and L400;
• In the USA - "Mitsubishi Van" and "Mitsubishi Wagon";
• In Australia - "Mitsubishi Express" and "Starwagon";
• In the European market version of a purely passenger - "Star Wagon" was sold under the name "Star Gear";
• In Japan itself - "Delica Cargo", "D: 2" and "D: 5".

The second generation

While Mitsubishi Delica of the first generation - a pickup with a carrying capacity of 600 kilograms - drove, delivering goods, in the design bureaus of Mitsubishi Motors developed Delica second generation. The new passenger version was named Star Wagon and a number of technological improvements. The salon was designed for nine comfortable seats, air conditioning, audio and video terminals. Mitsubishi Delica, the left-hand drive for which was installed only on request, has become a universal and in-demand model.

The car was introduced to the general public in 1979 and immediately proved to be reliable, economical and inexpensive to maintain. The popularity of the model grew rapidly, and this served as an incentive for its further production. In 1982, the first 4WD van was launched.

The third generation

In 1986, it was announced the sale of the third generation Mitsubishi Delica with a new body, an improved safety system and an unprecedented amount of all kinds of bells and whistles that make any trip a pleasure. The level of comfort in the cabin was extraordinary, the car went gently, the shock absorbers worked immaculately. Speed characteristics also did not leave much to be desired due to high aerodynamic properties of the car. The Japanese are well versed in the merits and demerits of their vehicles, so the demand for Mitsubishi Delica, the characteristics of which were flawless, for a long time kept at a high level. But, since even the perfect model needs periodic updating, Delica did not escape reconstruction.

Before the advent of the fourth generation in the world market in 1994, the Mitsubishi Delica Wagon twice underwent restyling (in 1991-92). The changes concerned external attributes, the car got a new, more modern optics, an updated front bumper, ergonomic seats and airbags around the perimeter of the cabin. Since 1992, the car is equipped with ABS on a regular basis.

The Star Wagon power plant consists of four gasoline engines and one diesel engine. Petrol engines "Saturn" and "Sirius" of different volume and power, carburetor, were installed on the rear-wheel drive vehicles. The diesel engine of the "Cyclone" brand was fitted with all-wheel drive versions. The transmission was offered in two versions - a 4-speed manual gearbox and a 5-speed semi-automatic.

The fourth generation

The fourth generation car - Space Gear - appeared in 1994. It was a 4WD all-wheel drive minivan, similar to the Padjero Sport model, if viewed from the perspective of the chassis and powerplant. In addition to the passenger Delica Space Gear, there were no other models, the cargo option was completely absent. And the model Space Gear received good off-road capabilities, all-wheel drive with differential lock, raising and lowering gears. Overall dimensions of the machine: 4460 mm - length, 1695 mm - width, 2090 mm - height.

The clearance of the Delica Space Gear is 210 mm and can vary within 20 mm. The weight of the car is 1730 kilograms.

Restyling

In 2004, Space Gear received a new optics: all car headlights, including the tail lights, changed their dislocation, shape and settings. Fog lights are included in the basic equipment. The seats changed the upholstery, the leather replaced the velor, the steering wheel was also covered with natural leather. The salon has become more trim made from valuable wood, and the dashboard has acquired a noble matte shade.

The carrying capacity of the Delica Space Gear is up to 800 kilograms, the chassis design is used for this class of cars, the all-metal frame body with the classic layout of the main units, the spring front suspension and the rear suspension with semi-eliptical springs. Stability on the course of the car provides a fairly low center of gravity and frame construction of the load-bearing body, as all units are arranged on the lower tier, and the engine is pushed deep into the body and is located between the front wheels. Thus, the balance of the entire structure is observed with a uniform load distribution.

Conceptcards

In 2005, the Tokyo motor show was presented with a concept car D5, which can compete with Delica Space Gear in all respects. The car is six-seater, comfortable enough, with a spacious interior and two sliding doors opening access to the rear seats.