We're now completing the final lap of our 2014 Indonesia International Motor Show coverage after an intermission in the form of the Proton Iriz. Mitsubishi, which has a decent presence in Indonesia thanks to the Pajero Sport, launched the Delica at the annual Jakarta show.
Dubbed 'the world's first Sport Utility MPV', the fifth-generation Mitsubishi Delica isn't an easy vehicle to pigeonhole. No longer looking like a standard white van, the fourth-gen car's rounded shape has been sharpened to create a monobox.
While not Dakar-ready in stock form, it looks pretty robust with a high ground clearance (190 mm) and high-profile tyres. MMC made a point to highlight the Delica's long stroke suspension at the launch, too.
Like an off-roading MPV, except that the Indonesian market Delica is 2WD. Power comes from a 2.0 litre naturally-aspirated four-pot with 150 PS and 191 Nm. The 4J11 with Auto Stop & Go (auto start stop) is mated to an INVECS-III CVT gearbox with six ratios in manual mode, swappable via long steering paddles that Lancer owners will be familiar with.
Inside, the seven-seater Delica is slightly more Alphard than Pajero Sport, with two captain chairs in the middle row. The last row is a slidable bench that side split folds 50:50, with decent room for luggage even with all seats up. Second and third rows get roof AC vents on each side. Access is via powered rear doors on both sides.
Standard equipment include HID headlamps, keyless entry, cruise control, dual-zone auto AC and a touch-screen multimedia head unit. Safety wise, the Delica comes with three airbags (dual front, driver's knee), ABS, EBD, BA, Active Stability Control (ASC) and Hill Start Assist. The Mitsubishi Delica goes for Rp 409 juta (RM110,235) in Indonesia.
Just before IIMS 2014, MMC's CEO Osamu Masuko announced that the company will be investing US$600 million to build a new assembly plant in Indonesia. The spend will also involve the development of a new vehicle for the market, and we're expecting an MPV that competes with the Toyota Avanza, Daihatsu Xenia, Suzuki Ertiga and Honda Mobilio in the country's Low-MPV segment.
Big JDM MPVs are popular in Malaysia, but will the Mitsubishi Delica, which doesn't have that desired "VIP look", work in Malaysia?
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