Mitsubishi trucks sell well in North America, but their smaller city vans are nonexistent here. That’s not to say they even have one in the works – they don’t. Still, knowing their design prowess with FUSO box vans and their worldwide success (other than here) of their Delica/L300, perhaps a modern vehicle could reenter our market? How about something could blend the rugged reputation of the FUSO box vans with the size of the Delica/L300 to make a modern city van?
The photos you’re looking at are rather old. Way back in 2005, Mitsubishi penned the Mitsubishi D5 Concept to be a possible replacement to the Delica/L300. I think it’s the best looking small van concept out there. Could you imagine this as a small city van?
The Mitsubishi D5 Concept was based on the Mitsubishi Outlander platform. It has the mechanical components from the Outlander including all-wheel/four-wheel drive, suspension and 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. The transmission is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a completely flat floor.
Granted, this is only an (old) concept and one that never came close to production, but with the announcement of the Ram ProMaster City’s entry into our market – you never know. I like the idea of a small city van cutting down congestion in any given metropolis while sucking down less dead-dinosaurs in the process. What do you think?
Speaking of vans, check out this video of the new Ram ProMaster!
