Mitsubishi D:X Concept Could Be The Future Of The Delica
Mitsubishi D:X Concept arrived at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 as the future of the Delica.
At the Japan Mobility Show 2023, Mitsubishi Motors showed an interesting new concept car – the D:X. This was hinted at earlier in the month and now we finally see the full picture. Truth be told it’s pretty interesting.
The Mitsubishi D:X Concept, in the company’s own words, is a hint at the future of the Delica. The Delica was a line of vans that started off in 1968. The latest 5th generation Delica D:5 is used as a support car to the Triton on the Asia Cross Country Rally. With the D:X, what we see if a fully-reimagined Delica with a renewed sense of adventure and a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
In terms of design, this concept car takes on the philosophy of “Maximum Space and Safety for Humans, Maximum Off-Roader for Boundaryless Adventure”. It’s a bit of a mouthful, but it very accurately describes the product brief. It essentially marries the practicality of a minivan with the rugged aesthetics and off-roading capabilities of an SUV in a futuristic and electrified package.
Outside, you get a glasshouse that wraps around the front and ends at the D-pillar. There are thick over-fenders, front and rear skid plates, side step protectors and other rugged off-roader design cues. The only thing that ties the D:X back to Mitsubishi’s current product stack is the Dynamic Shield front face, but even that is only hinted at. That’s no chrome at all on this front end. The body colour here is copper with a semi-gloss texture that Mitsubishi Motors has yet to name. For the daytime running lights, Mitsubishi are using projection laser lights in a T-shape.
Inside, we see how the spacious monobox interior with lots of room for 6 occupants. there’s flexibility in the seating arrangement and the front passenger seat can even be rotated around to face the rear. Mitsubishi call these “panoramic seats” and they can also move up and down.
While the front doors open conventionally, the rear doors slide out and there’s even a retractable side step that pops out.
Mitsubishi Motors has taken some inspiration from Land Rover’s ClearSight Ground view in creating a digitally-see through dashboard for optimum awareness of the terrain.
Unlike a lot of premium brands, Mitsubishi have stuck to genuine leather for the upholstery of this D:X – no vegan leather here. They’ve also worked with Yamaha to create a new generation sound system – not the first time they’ve done that. In this concept, there are speakers in the headrests for each passenger to be fully immersed in music.
There’s a robust rib-bone frame for excellent safety performance. This is inspired by the circular framework structure found on the current Delica D:5.
In terms of off-road capability, the Mitsubishi D:X features an electric 4WD system based on the S-AWC system with petrol power motivating the front wheels and electric motors driving the rear.
About the Author
Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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