The Mitsubishi Grandis (Japanese: 三菱・グランディス, Hepburn: Mitsubishi Gurandisu) is a seven-seat MPV built by Mitsubishi Motors between 2003 and 2011. It was introduced to replace the Chariot/Space Wagon/Nimbus minivans. It was also marketed as the Mitsubishi Space Wagon in Thailand.
| Mitsubishi Grandis (NA/BA) | |
|---|---|
 Mitsubishi Grandis (Japan; pre-facelift) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
| Also called | Mitsubishi Space Wagon (Thailand) |
| Production | 2003–2011 |
| Assembly |
|
| Designer | Olivier Boulay |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size MPV |
| Body style | 5-door wagon |
| Layout | |
| Related | Mitsubishi Outlander Forthing Jingyi X5 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Power output | 121 kW (162 hp; 165 PS) (4G69) |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,830 mm (111.4 in) |
| Length | 4,765–4,780 mm (187.6–188.2 in) |
| Width | 1,795–1,835 mm (70.7–72.2 in) |
| Height | 1,655–1,700 mm (65.2–66.9 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,655–1,725 kg (3,649–3,803 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mitsubishi Chariot |
| Successor | Mitsubishi Delica D:5 / Delica Space Wagon |
Overview
edit
The Grandis was launched on 14 May 2003 and sold in Japan, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica and South America.[1]
The exterior styling was based loosely on designer Olivier Boulay's earlier Mitsubishi Space Liner,[2] a monobox four-seat concept vehicle with centre opening "suicide doors", first exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2001.[3]
It was the first all new vehicle featuring the company's new common "face", comprising a curved lower grille edge and a sharp crease rising up the leading edge of the bonnet from the prominent corporate badge.[4] It shared its platform with the Mitsubishi Airtrek, minus the increased ground clearance.[citation needed]
The Grandis was also the basis for the Mitsubishi FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) concept, powered by a fuel cell technology developed by then controlling shareholder DaimlerChrysler. DCX's "FC System" uses a fuel cell stack to replenish an array of NiMH batteries from 117 litres of compressed hydrogen storage.[5]
The Grandis was launched in Malaysia on 28 July 2005 in conjunction with Mitsubishi's return to Malaysia.[6] The Grandis was updated in Malaysia in September 2007,[7] July 2009[8] and in August 2010.[9]
It won the Best MPV award at the Bangkok International Motor Show from 2005 to 2010.[10] During March 2009, it saw the cancellation of this model in the Japanese market. For 2011, it was discontinued globally.
Powertrain
editEngines available were a 2.4-litre four-cylinder and a Europe-only Volkswagen sourced 2.0-litre turbodiesel, badged DI-D rather than TDI as Volkswagen denotes it. The diesel model arrived in conjunction with the Grandis' European launch in 2004. It originally used the 136 PS (100 kW) BSY version of Volkswagen's Pumpe Düse diesel engine; in 2008 it was changed to the 140 PS (103 kW) BWC variant of the same with no declared performance changes.
Annual production and sales
edit| Year | Production | Sales | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Overseas | ||
| 2003 | 28,821 | 23,834 | 3,574 |
| 2004 | 19,173 | 5,247 | 14,352 |
| 2005 | 29,466 | 4,490 | 24,507 |
| 2006 | 17,928 | 1,756 | 16,870 |
| 2007 | 15,549 | 674 | 15,161 |
| 2008 | 8,583 | 281 | 8,283 |
(source: Facts & Figures 2008, Facts & Figures 2009, Mitsubishi Motors website)
References
edit
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors Releases New Grandis", Mitsubishi Motors press release, 14 May 2003
- ^ "Mitsubishi Grandis Review", Carpages.co.uk, 27 March 2005
- ^ ""New" Mitsubishi Motors Introduces Exciting Car Concepts At 35th Tokyo Motor Show" Archived 2008-08-28 at the Wayback Machine, Mitsubishi Motors Press Release, 17 October 2001
- ^ "Mitsubishi designer's vision unveiled", MMNA press release, PR Newswire, 9 January 2002
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors Builds Fuel-Cell Vehicle" Archived 2009-06-30 at the Wayback Machine, Mitsubishi Motors press release, 17 September 2003
- ^ khong, ys (2005-07-30). "Mitsubishi Makes a Comeback to Malaysia - Autoworld.com.my". Autoworld.com.my. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ "Facelifted Mitsubishi Grandis in Malaysia". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 2007-09-12. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ "Mitsubishi Grandis updated with extra equipment!". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 2009-07-30. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ "Revised spec Mitsubishi Grandis with extra equipment". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 2010-08-10. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
- ^ "Mitsubishi Grandis and Strada win Car of the Year Awards at Bangkok International Motor Show" Archived 2009-06-30 at the Wayback Machine, Mitsubishi Motors Press Release, 29 March 2005
Mitsubishi Motors : Space Wagon, MMTh website
"มิตซูบิชิ ควบ 2 รางวัล "รถยอดเยี่ยม”", Thai PR, 2 April 2008
"รางวัล Thailand Car of the Year ประจำปี 2009", Thai Auto Shop, 8 April 2009
"ผลตัดสินรถยอดเยี่ยมแห่งปี2010 ในงานมอเตอร์โชว์ บีเอ็มฯคว้า7รางวัล มิตซูฯ5 นิสสัน3 จยย.ฮอนด้าได้4" Archived 2010-04-05 at the Wayback Machine, Matichon Online, 31 March 2010