Mitsubishi teases hybrid Delica concept, and it could come to Australia

Mitsubishi is poised to debut a concept that could preview the next-generation Delica people mover at the Tokyo motor show later this month, following the release of a teaser image online.

While yet to be confirmed, Mitsubishi's teaser image suggests the car may preview the next generation of the Delica – a model not sold in Australia since 1999, but has continued to be sold in Japan and other Asian countries, as well as being privately imported locally.

Mitsubishi says the hybrid people-mover is only a concept at this stage, however the current Delica is overdue for replacement, having begun production in 2007.

As reported by Drive in April 2023, Mitsubishi Australia is considering bringing back the Delica to local showrooms – one of three overseas models under evaluation for its future line-up.

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It's understood Mitsubishi Australia has imported a current Delica into the country for evaluation, though it would be the next-generation model that is being considered.

"It’s got to be able to tow, fit seven people with luggage. We probably want something that can go at least a little bit off road," John Signoriello, the global boss of sales and marketing for Mitsubishi, told Australian media in Japan in April 2023.

The Delica is popular among enthusiasts as it is a van-based people-mover with low-range four-wheel drive, making it a capable off-roader with seating of up to seven or eight, as well as having the ability to turn the seats into a bed for camping.

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Meanwhile, the Japanese company says the vehicle teased this week is based on the concept of "Borderless Adventure" – complete with an electric four-wheel-drive system.

Though there are few details revealed at this stage, the concept is confirmed as being "electrified", suggesting it has some level of hybrid system helping to power the engine – possibly borrowing the plug-in hybrid engine from elsewhere in the Mitusbishi range.