Mitsubishi Minicab
Encyclopedia
The Mitsubishi Minicab is a kei truck and microvan
built and sold in Japan by Mitsubishi Motors
since 1966.
sedan. It shared the sedan's air cooled two-stroke 359 cc engine, and came with cargo gates on three sides to simplify loading and unloading. In 1986 the van variant was introduced for the first time.
and rear leaf spring
suspension
. A panel van was added to the Minicab lineup in 1972, when it also became the Minicab W with the new watercooled 2G10
engine (hence the W).
LZ 110.
Further model range updates have been in parallel with the Minica, starting with the fourth generation's introduction in 1984. Although improvements were made to enhance the Minicab's commercial applications, the most noticeable changes were made to support personal leisure activities. Angular headlamp
s played an important role in the Minicab's styling, along with larger windows to improve visibility. Mitsubishi offered fifteen front-
and four-wheel drive
van model variations and ten truck variations. The fourth generation Minicab incorporated many class-leading features such as an automatic free-wheel hub
adopted on all four-wheel drive models, while two-wheel drive models had a turning radius of 3.7 metres (12.1 ft). The estate models featured the first sliding sunroof in their class. In 1987, the Minicab became the first manufacturer to offer a supercharged kei car. In China the fourth generation Minicab was built and sold as the Wuling
LZW 1010 for the commercial variants and the Wuling
LZW 6330 for the passenger variant.
-styled Bravo Route 66, however, one previous variant, the high-roof truck, was discontinued.
was introduced.
in May of that year. The commercial use electric vehicle is estimated to have a range of 100 km (62.1 mi) with a full charge, which is lower than that of i-MiEV, in a bid to reduce costs. The price is aimed for less than (about US$24,450) after subsidies.
). The Minicab/Clipper competes in Japan with the Honda Acty
, Subaru Sambar
, Daihatsu Hijet
, and the Suzuki Carry
.
) was called the Varica and was available with a 1,061 cc 4G82 engine with 58 PS. Overall length was up to 3645 mm (143.5 in), with a wheelbase lengthened to 1475 mm (58.1 in) right in front of the rear axle. Top speed was 115 km/h (71 mph). The Varica's nose was also extended somewhat.
Later a 1.2-litre version replaced the smaller 1100, and the car underwent a facelift which included a longer more rounded nose.
Microvan
A microvan is a van that fits into Japanese kei car classification or similar. In certain regions, these models are inexpensive and widely used for small business because of tax and insurance benefits; for example, in Japan they are exempted from a certification that there is adequate parking...
built and sold in Japan by Mitsubishi Motors
Mitsubishi Motors
is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
since 1966.
First generation
The Minicab cab-over pickup truck was launched in 1966 to replace the 360, which by this time had adopted the same model name as the MinicaMitsubishi Minica
-Minica Sedan:The first Minica was first introduced in October 1962 as a two-door sedan based on the Mitsubishi 360 light truck, sharing its front-mounted ME21 359 cc twin-cylinder air-cooled engine driving the rear wheels, transverse leaf springs in front and beam axle/leaf springs at the...
sedan. It shared the sedan's air cooled two-stroke 359 cc engine, and came with cargo gates on three sides to simplify loading and unloading. In 1986 the van variant was introduced for the first time.
Second generation
In 1971 the Minicab underwent its first model change, with the Minicab EL offering a new interior and a longer cargo bed. Ride quality was improved with the adoption of a front wishboneWishbone
Wishbone may refer to:* The wishbone, a Y-shaped bone found in birds* Wishbone suspension, an automobile suspension design.* Wishbone , an children's educational television show...
and rear leaf spring
Leaf spring
Originally called laminated or carriage spring, a leaf spring is a simple form of spring, commonly used for the suspension in wheeled vehicles...
suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
. A panel van was added to the Minicab lineup in 1972, when it also became the Minicab W with the new watercooled 2G10
Mitsubishi 2G1 engine
The Mitsubishi 2G1 engine is a water-cooled iron-block two-stroke twin-cylinder engine built by Mitsubishi Motors for the kei car class from 1968. They were first introduced in the first generation Minica to replace the otherwise similar but air-cooled ME24 powerplant...
engine (hence the W).
Third generation
In 1977, the third generation Minicab was introduced. In keeping with the changes in vehicle tax regulations, the Minicab Wide 55 featured an increase in both width and length, and adopted the enlarged 471 cc engine from the car line. It also incorporated new features like a windscreen defroster, a central console box and a central ventilation system. It continued until 1981, when Mitsubishi dropped "Wide 55" from the Minicab name as the market was now aware of the increase in body size and engine capacity. A rear window wiper, electronic locking rear gate and power brakes were adopted, and in 1983 the Flat-floor Van model adopted a double-walled construction to offer a flat, open cargo area. For some export markets, like Chile, this version was known as Mitsubishi L100. In China the third generation was build and sold as both the Shenwei SYW 1010 and the WulingWuling
Wuling may refer to the following of dynastic or the People's Republic of China:* Wuling District , Changde, Hunan* Wuling Mountains , mountain range covering an area from western Hunan to eastern Guizhou and Chongqing...
LZ 110.
Fourth generation
Headlamp
A headlamp is a lamp, usually attached to the front of a vehicle such as a car or a motorcycle, with the purpose of illuminating the road ahead during periods of low visibility, such as darkness or precipitation. Headlamp performance has steadily improved throughout the automobile age, spurred by...
s played an important role in the Minicab's styling, along with larger windows to improve visibility. Mitsubishi offered fifteen front-
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
and four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
van model variations and ten truck variations. The fourth generation Minicab incorporated many class-leading features such as an automatic free-wheel hub
Locking hubs
Locking hubs, also known as free wheeling hubs are an accessory fitted to many four-wheel drive vehicles, allowing the front wheels to be manually disconnected from the front half shafts....
adopted on all four-wheel drive models, while two-wheel drive models had a turning radius of 3.7 metres (12.1 ft). The estate models featured the first sliding sunroof in their class. In 1987, the Minicab became the first manufacturer to offer a supercharged kei car. In China the fourth generation Minicab was built and sold as the Wuling
Wuling
Wuling may refer to the following of dynastic or the People's Republic of China:* Wuling District , Changde, Hunan* Wuling Mountains , mountain range covering an area from western Hunan to eastern Guizhou and Chongqing...
LZW 1010 for the commercial variants and the Wuling
Wuling
Wuling may refer to the following of dynastic or the People's Republic of China:* Wuling District , Changde, Hunan* Wuling Mountains , mountain range covering an area from western Hunan to eastern Guizhou and Chongqing...
LZW 6330 for the passenger variant.
Fifth generation
A larger and completely redesigned Minicab was released in 1991 to take advantage of tax regulations allowing for increased dimensions and engine capacity of kei cars. Three new 660cc engines were introduced: a 4-valve SOHC unit, a 5-valve DOHC unit and a 2-valve SOHC unit. Across the range, there was a total of 66 possible model variations. This included a new variant, the retroRetro
Retro is a culturally outdated or aged style, trend, mode, or fashion, from the overall postmodern past, that has since that time become functionally or superficially the norm once again. The use of "retro" style iconography and imagery interjected into post-modern art, advertising, mass media, etc...
-styled Bravo Route 66, however, one previous variant, the high-roof truck, was discontinued.
Sixth generation
The sixth generation Minicab was introduced in 1999 now sporting a new semi-front design. By April 1999, a "wagon" version called the Town BoxMitsubishi Town Box
The Mitsubishi Town Box is a kei car produced for the domestic market by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors. It was initially available with the alloy-headed 4A30 657 cc straight-4 engine, but switched to the 3G83 659 cc straight-3 engine in 2002...
was introduced.
Minicab MiEV
In January 2011, it was reported that Mitsubishi would add an electric version of Minicab, Minicab MiEV, for sale in Japan from Autumn 2011. Mitsubishi later announced a December 2011 launch. Mitsubishi picked up early orders for 100 units from major delivery company Yamato TransportYamato Transport
is one of Japan's largest door-to-door delivery service companies with market share of 41%, competing closely with Sagawa Express and Nippon Express...
in May of that year. The commercial use electric vehicle is estimated to have a range of 100 km (62.1 mi) with a full charge, which is lower than that of i-MiEV, in a bid to reduce costs. The price is aimed for less than (about US$24,450) after subsidies.
Nissan Clipper
Mitsubishi also manufacturers a badge-engineered version of the Minicab pickup on behalf of Nissan, which sells it as the Nissan Clipper (a badge originally used on a larger range of Prince and Nissan trucksNissan Clipper
The Nissan Clipper nameplate has been used for two separate commercial vehicle ranges. Originally this was just a relabelled version of Prince's "Clipper" light/medium duty commercial vehicle range...
). The Minicab/Clipper competes in Japan with the Honda Acty
Honda Acty
- External links :*****...
, Subaru Sambar
Subaru Sambar
The Subaru Sambar is an automobile built by automaker Subaru for the Japanese market. It is Japan's first Keitora , shorthand for "kei class truck" and is still in production. The Sambar is available in both microvan and Kei truck to fulfill the Kei car guidelines...
, Daihatsu Hijet
Daihatsu Hijet
The Daihatsu Hijet is a microvan and pickup truck produced by the Japanese automaker Daihatsu. Despite the similarities between the Hijet name and Toyota's naming scheme for its trucks and vans , the name "Hijet" has been in use for Daihatsu's Kei trucks and vans since 1960, over two decades before...
, and the Suzuki Carry
Suzuki Carry
The Suzuki Carry is a kei truck produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki. The microvan version was originally called the Carry van until 1982 when the van was renamed as the '...
.
CMC Varica
In Taiwan, as in mainland China, long wheelbase iterations of the fourth generation Minicab were also available with a variety of bodywork. The Taiwanese version (built by CMC, China Motor CorporationChina Motor Corporation
China Motor Corporation is an automobile manufacturer based in Taipei, Taiwan. It was founded in June 1969, and signed a technology sharing contract with Mitsubishi Motors the following year. On December 12 1973 they opened their first manufacturing facility, in Yangmei...
) was called the Varica and was available with a 1,061 cc 4G82 engine with 58 PS. Overall length was up to 3645 mm (143.5 in), with a wheelbase lengthened to 1475 mm (58.1 in) right in front of the rear axle. Top speed was 115 km/h (71 mph). The Varica's nose was also extended somewhat.
Later a 1.2-litre version replaced the smaller 1100, and the car underwent a facelift which included a longer more rounded nose.
External links
- Mitsubishi Minicab official site (Japanese)
- Mitsubishi Minicab history, Mitsubishi Motors South Africa website
- History of Mitsubishi Kei Jidosha