| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors China Motor Corporation |
|---|---|
| Also called | Mitsubishi Space Wagon |
| Production | 2003–2011 |
| Assembly | Okazaki, Aichi, Japan Laem Chabang, Thailand Yang Mei, Taiwan Cainta, Rizal, Philippines |
| Predecessor | Mitsubishi Chariot |
| Class | Large MPV |
| Body style | 5-door MPV |
| Layout | Front engine, FWD/4WD |
| Engine | 4G69 2.4 L I4 MIVEC VW 2.0 L I4 DI-D |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed semi-auto (petrol) 6-speed manual (diesel) |
| Wheelbase | 2,830 mm (111.4 in) |
| Length | 4,765 mm (187.6 in) |
| Width | 1,795 mm (70.7 in) |
| Height | 1,655–1,700 mm (65.2–66.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,655–1,725 kg (3,650–3,800 lb) |
| Related | Mitsubishi Savrin Mitsubishi Outlander |
| Designer | Olivier Boulay |
The Mitsubishi Grandis is a seven seat MPV built by Mitsubishi Motors to replace its Chariot/Space Wagon/Nimbus line. It was launched on May 14, 2003 and is sold in Japan, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica, and South America.[1] Engines available are a 2.4-litre four-cylinder and a Volkswagen-sourced 2.0-litre turbodiesel, badged DI-D rather than TDI as Volkswagen denotes it.
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 35th Tokyo Motor Show in 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.
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]
It won the "Best MPV" award at the Bangkok International Motor Show from 2005 to 2010.[6] March 2009 saw the cancellation of this model in the Japanese market, marking the end of the Chariot name after 26 years of production. For 2011 it was discontinued internationally.
| 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)