Mitsubishi D:X concept - The delicious PHEV future of the Delica that goes where most vans can't

Vans appear to be making a comeback this year and the latest van-tastic addition to that growing list from the Japan Mobility Show is the Mitsubishi D:X concept that hints at a very promising future for the Delica van.

And what a bright future that is, especially taking into account the amount of light that’ll make its way into the cabin courtesy of the wraparound glass from the windshield to the D pillar. If anyone complains about outward visibility in this, a trip to the optometrist should be the right move.

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Borrowing inspiration from Land Rover, the D:X also incorporates a front-mounted camera that provides a virtual “see-through” hood for the driver to navigate off-road conditions. The feature extends from the base of the windshield to display vital information such as the terrain conditions (useful for off-road conditions) and the turning angle for the front tyres.

It’s pretty obvious that off-roading will be a primary selling-point for the new Delice. There’s the raised suspension, short front and rear overhangs as well as all-wheel drive. You’ll also find front and rear skid plates and side-step protectors to protect the body on challenging off-road conditions.

While Mitsubishi didn’t reveal any propulsion specifics, it did confirm that the D:X’s all-wheel drive will be an electric system powered by a plug-in-hybrid powertrain. Additionally, it’s also capable of a pure EV mode for short distance and will switch to hybrid mode for longer distances. That pure EV mode could be especially useful off-roading.

Cosmetically, the D:X is still very much van-shaped with the mandatory sliding doors. Slide them open and you’ll find a cabin for 6 with a 2+2+2 layout with seats that can rotate and move up and down.

The current Delica D5 has been in production since 2007 and given the model’s lifecycle history, expect the new Delice D6 based on the D:X concept to arrive very soon. Will it make its way here to Malaysia? That’s unfortunately unlikely.