Wereldpremière Mitsubishi D:X Concept op Japan Mobility Show

Mitsubishi Motors presenteert de Mitsubishi D:X Concept, een plug-inhybride en vierwielaangedreven crossover-MPV die zijn werelddebuut maakt op de Japan Mobility Show 2023. Ook het prototype van de nieuwe Mitsubishi Triton, een pick-up die begin 2024 in Japan verschijnt, is daar te zien.

Tijdens de persconferentie voor de autoshow zei Takao Kato, president en CEO van Mitsubishi: ‘In de Mitsubishi D:X Concept brengen we de beste technologieën van Mitsubishi Motors samen – vooral onze elektrificatie- en vierwielaandrijvingstechnologieën. Dat doen we omdat we willen bijdragen aan een koolstofneutrale samenleving. Wij gaan daarbij door met het bieden van mobiliteit voor bestuurders met een avontuurlijke levensstijl, die opwinding en avontuur biedt voor iedereen aan boord.’

Mitsubishi heeft een speciale website voor de Japan Mobility Show 2023:
https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/innovation/motorshow/jms2023/

Concept car

Designed to hint at the Delica of the future, the Mitsubishi D:X Concept is an electrified crossover MPV concept car that embodies Mitsubishi Motors-ness and inspires a sense of adventure.

Combining the convenient, pleasant and roomy cabin space of an MPV with the superb road handling of an SUV, and providing the powerful and comfortable driving performance of a PHEV with no limits to the activities it can take on, the Mitsubishi D:X Concept supports an active mobility lifestyle as a reliable companion for various adventures.

• A design embodying “Maximum Space and Safety for Humans, Maximum Off-Roader for Boundaryless Adventure“

Inheriting the spacious interior and high-level safety of the Delica and bringing them into the future, the Mitsubishi D:X Concept features a vastly spacious cabin and a protective body to keep it safe, based on the design concept of “Maximum Space and Safety for Humans, Maximum Off-Roader for Boundaryless Adventure.”

The character of the Delica is expressed by the side window graphics extending from the front of the cabin to the D-pillar and by the robust D-pillar. In addition, spaciousness is created by the front window that wraps around to the bottom.

The sturdy over fenders and large-diameter tires convey a sense of strength, while the front and rear skid plates and side step protectors provide excellent road performance that enables safe, secure ride even on rough road conditions.

The Dynamic Shield front face design concept, which conveys powerful performance and protection for people and cars, has been further evolved to protect the cabin with an integrated shield that extends from the sides, with a skid plate providing an enhanced sense of protection.

Projection laser lights are used for the distinctive T-shape lights, which extend to both ends to produce an impression of width. In addition, the bright lights that illuminate the road allow the driver to accurately assess road conditions ahead for peace of mind even on narrow roads.

The body color is a luxurious glamping-inspired copper with a new semi-gloss texture that exudes a sense of quality.

• The convenient, comfortable and roomy cabin space of an MPV

The spacious monobox interior provides ample room for all occupants. Panoramic seats that rotate and move up and down, and a front window and see-through hood that provide an open, wide field of vision create an aerial cockpit, offering an unprecedented driving experience as if floating in the air.

The panoramic seats can be moved up and down for an optimal seating position. The high eye position ensures forward visibility, making driving easier and creating a sense of openness. During breaks, the front seats can be rotated backward to create an interior space where all occupants can enjoy conversation.

The see-through hood, which extends from the front window glass to the bottom, displays a combination of information such as the road surface conditions ahead and the turn angle of the front tires. An open and expansive field of vision is provided, allowing for a driving experience with peace of mind.

A voice-interactive AI concierge provides information on routes to destinations, weather conditions and other information to help ensure a safe and stress-free driving experience.

A premium feel is provided by the tan-colored genuine leather used for the instrument panel and seats, while the metal parts in alumite gray are used as accents to express a sense of high quality gear.

A new generation sound system developed in cooperation with Yamaha Corporation has been further evolved. To provide powerful, three-dimensional sound, numerous speakers are positioned in the headrests and other appropriate locations, achieving an unparalleled, high sense of immersion in a roomy cabin. All passengers can enjoy a quality, immersive music experience, heightening the excitement of adventure as well as providing soothing comfort during breaks.

The pillar parts, including the robust D-pillar, are made using a reinforced rib-bone frame with a circular framework structure, known for the excellent safety performance it delivers in the Delica D:5. It allows for high-level safety and spacious interior that envelops the occupants with a sense of security.

• Safe, secure and comfortable electric 4WD that offers the superb road handling of an SUV

The S-AWC integrated vehicle dynamics control system is adopted for the electric 4WD system. It provides a safe, secure and comfortable ride in any weather or road conditions, allowing drivers to embark on various adventures in peace of mind. The system enables a pleasant, precise handling for drivers while offering a comfortable ride with minimal swaying for passengers. Despite the high-profile monobox design, the Mitsubishi D:X Concept provides the ride of a standard passenger vehicle.

• A PHEV that awakens drivers’ adventurous spirit and expands their horizon

The Mitsubishi D:X Concept uses an environmentally friendly PHEV system that offers an exhilarating driving experience. It awakens drivers’ spirit of adventure and expands their range of activities by offering an EV mode for daily use and hybrid mode for long-distance trips. Different driving modes can be selected to suit the conditions, making the car ready for any kind of adventure.

All-new Triton (Japanese specifications, prototype)

The all-new Triton combines the ruggedness of a pickup truck with the comfort and handling stability of an SUV. The Japanese specifications will have a two-row double-cab body and a 4WD system.

• A new-generation pickup truck with a full revamp and evolution in all directions

The newly developed ladder frame uses a much greater proportion of high-tensile steel and has undergone a 65% increase in cross-sectional area from the previous model to achieve 60% greater bending rigidity and 40% greater torsional rigidity. By using ultra high-tensile steel, weight reduction is achieved despite the larger body size.

A comfortable ride and high reliability are achieved through the use of a double wishbone front suspension with increased stroke on a more rigid ladder frame, combined with a leaf spring rear suspension that has been made lighter while maintaining its strength.

The newly developed 2.4L clean diesel engine with a two-stage turbo system delivers easy-to-manage output in the range of everyday use, while the six-speed automatic transmission with sport mode enables crisp driving even with a larger body.

An array of driver assistance technologies including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and the Mitsubishi Connect, a connected car service, help reduce the driver’s load and provide a safe, comfortable driving experience with peace of mind for all occupants.

• Advanced road handling with Mitsubishi Motors’ unique Super Select 4WD-II (SS4-II)

SS4-II allows the driver to easily change 4WD modes with a dial selector. SS4-II is equipped with a torque sensing limited slip differential (LSD) that distributes 40% of the driving force to the front and 60% to the rear to provide balanced traction and cornering performance. It comes with four options of 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (full-time 4WD), 4HLc (locked center differential), and 4LLc (locked center differential with lower gears).

Seven selectable drive modes, Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock, are available in each 4WD mode.

Active Yaw Control (brake control type), which improves cornering performance by gently applying brakes to the inside front wheel when cornering, and active LSD (brake control type), which applies the brakes to spinning wheels and distributes driving torque to wheels gripping the road surface, improve cornering and safety on slippery surfaces, enabling precise driving without giving a sense of the large size of the vehicle.

• A dependable, imposing exterior and highly functional interior for ease of operation

The Beast Mode design concept expresses not only the powerfulness expected of a pickup truck, but also an imposing aura that reflects both robustness and agility.

The Dynamic Shield front face design concept, which expresses powerful performance and a sense of protection for people and cars, has been optimized for a pickup truck with a robust, three-dimensional front grille, a powerful form extending from the fenders, and an under guard that accentuates this.

The daytime running lights, which consist of three L-shaped LED lights, have a sharp look reminiscent of a hawk, combining with the sculpted three-lens projector headlights below them to create a design that exudes a commanding and muscular presence.

The rear end features taut surfaces that extend from the sides of the body while still maintaining a cargo bed of sufficient size. T-shaped tail lights are placed on both sides to emphasize the width of the body and give the back profile a sense of heft.

Functional design features are incorporated throughout, including a cabin shape designed with aerodynamics in mind, larger door handles that are easier to grip and more durable, and wider side steps for better drainage.

The interior is also highly practical, with a powerful, horizontally-themed instrument panel that makes it easy to detect changes in the vehicle’s posture while driving, and soft padding in key locations to protect the occupants. The cabin space has a high-contrast, modern feel, with geometric shapes and extensive use of metallic elements.

The monitor, gauges and high-contrast switches are designed for easy visibility, while the selectors, dials and switches are calibrated to allow for reliable operation even with gloves on. The steering wheel, grips, and door handles were designed based on the Mitsubishi Touch concept to provide a comfortable grip and a sense of solidity.

1. In “D:X,” “D” stands for “discover” and “X” for “experience.”
2. The Japan Mobility Show 2023 is organized by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. October 25 and 26 are press days, October 27 is a special invitation day, and October 28 to November 5 are general public days. Tokyo Big Sight is the main venue.
3. Sold as L200 in some markets