Mitsubishi teased an update of its legendary, small, rugged Delica van a pair months again on the Tokyo Motor Present. Wanting on the prototype it confirmed there, we would not have pegged it as “the strongest ever,” however that is how Mitsubishi introduced it through the official manufacturing introduction this week.
Seems, the brand new SUV-meets-minivan features some additional on- and off-road efficiency to match its revised appears. May it supplant its traditional predecessors as the final word in cult traditional tiny 4×4 journey camper vans? Unlikely, but it surely’s already put some critical time in off-roading to show what it is all about.
Very similar to trendy Westfalia pop-up Volkswagen camper vans, the Mitsubishi Delica D:5 inundates People like myself with nostalgia for easier, happier instances. Mitsubishi solely offered the cute little Delica, rebadged merely “Van” and “Wagon,” within the US for a number of too-quick years within the late 80s and early 90s, but it surely’s the kind of small, adventurous, by accident trendy rig that forged a shadow a lot bigger than its market footprint.
To be truthful, a lot of that nostalgia is definitely anemoia as a result of essentially the most fondly remembered, covetable Delicas – the likes of the Star Wagon 4WD, Area Gear and Chamonix – weren’t even offered right here. The truth is, we most likely know them finest from way more latest instances, seeing them drive and journey across the States after reaching the 25-year authorized threshold for importation. They’ve developed fairly a cult following amongst van lifers, overlanders and avid out of doors adventurers and highway warriors of different stripes – not solely within the US, however in markets like the UK and Australia, as nicely.
To be sincere, the Delica is itching for a whole generational overhaul, which final occurred way back in 2007. However earlier than Mitsubishi takes on that process – maybe by readying a production-polished model of the 2023 D:X Concept – it has seen match to provide the Gen D:5 a beauty and gear replace.
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As we noticed with the Tokyo prototype preview again in October, the Delica D:5 refresh features a extra layered facial design to interchange the overly slatted front-end of the earlier D:5 styling bundle. The brand new slats are extra neatly contained inside the central rectangular grille, remodeled visually through alternating shades right into a collection of dashes.
Beneath the grille, a brand new block-toothed bumper design serves as a rugged basis, and up above, the slim headlamps get related by silver trim. The lamp stacks out to the far sides seem a lot the identical as earlier than, albeit with rectangles changing the angled polygons on the lowest degree.
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Mitsubishi enhances that front-end with some related adjustments in again, including an identical rear bumper design together with broad “DELICA” badging centered throughout the tailgate. In between, barely bulged wheel arch moldings distinction the physique coloration and spotlight Delica’s longstanding 4WD off-road capabilities, initially derived from the Pajero, a historic Dakar dominator.
Talking of these 4×4 capabilities, dyed-in-wool off-roaders would possibly miss the acquainted, simple 2WD/4WD/4WD Lock of the outgoing D:5, however Mitsubishi guarantees that the person wheel management of the newly added Tremendous-All Wheel Management (S-AWC) system will greater than make up for it. The system makes use of 4 driver-selectable modes – Eco, Regular, Gravel, Snow – together with supportive applied sciences like traction management and brake-activated yaw management, for higher grip, stability and response tuned to the terrain underneath tread. A hill descent management system ensures steady, regular downhilling at mounted speeds.
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Mitsubishi assures that it put the up to date prototypes by way of limit-pushing testing on some gnarly (and downright attractive) off-road terrain to make sure they may deal with it with aplomb.
Again on the asphalt, the Delica advantages from an enhanced collision mitigation braking system that now detects bicycles. A sonar-based parking sensor system helps drivers keep away from hitting close by autos and obstacles, whereas an upgraded digicam suite improves imaging scope and high quality.
The brand new Delica D:5 will formally go on sale in Japan on January 9, 2026 for a base value of ¥4,510,000 (approx. US$28,600). 4-wheel drive comes customary throughout all trims, and energy flows from a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel 4. The little van packs ’em in higher than its diminutive dimension would possibly recommend, providing seven- and eight-seat layouts.
Okay, it is not almost as effortlessly lovable because the older third and 4th-gen Delicas that movement into the US every year among the many pack of coveted Japanese Home Market (JDM) autos, but it surely nonetheless appears like a really perfect basis for one hell of just a little camper van or path shuttle. Now, let’s simply fast-forward by way of the subsequent 25 years …
Supply: Mitsubishi
