Mitsubishi Grandis DI-D, Another GREAT model that prolly not gonna make it to NA

[turbodiesel]

Anyone know the car called Mitsubishi Grandis? well... it's larger than Lancer wagon but smaller than typical minivan... 2+3+2 seating arrangement, 3 point seatbelt for all seats (exclude Japanese version... wahahaha), ABS, 6 airbags... engine is 2.4L MIVEC 4-banger SOHC (same from Lancers) with tiptronic or manual transmission (woohoo~!)

European gonna have one extra engine later, which will debut in Geneva Auto Show in March... Grandis DI-D!

yupyup... it's a diesel version... The diesel engine is derived from VW's new TDI: 2.0L TDI DOHC with 140hp@4000rpm and 229lb.ft@1750rpm!

Will it gonna make it to North America since the diesel demand is increasing due to high gasoline prices!? I HOPE SO!

Here's the info from BBC Top Gear:
Mitsubishi is shortly to introduce a much-needed diesel option for its Grandis people carrier.

Due to make its debut at the forthcoming Geneva show, the Grandis DI-D promises class-leading performance from its VW-sourced 2.0-litre engine:


134bhp at 4,000rpm, 229lbf.ft at 1,750rpm
123mph, 0–62 in 10.8 seconds
41.5mpg combined

The vehicle is due to arrive on UK forecourts towards the end of the Summer.

For those who has NO IDEA what Mitsubishi Grandis looks like, here's the pix (from AutoExpress.co.uk):
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture..._pic_18030.jpg
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture..._pic_18031.jpg
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture..._pic_18032.jpg
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture..._pic_18033.jpg
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture..._pic_18034.jpg
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture..._pic_18035.jpg

by the way, guys, rejoice cuz there's LHD version!
http://www.edidomus.it/auto/mondoaut...GRANDIS009.jpg

[GM_Fanatic]

interesting, its got the shifter on the dash like the Toyota Sienna, and Honda Odyssey AND Nissan Quest (I wasn't sure which one it was so i looked into it, anyone know why this is all the rage with Japanese minivans?) which I'm not really a big fan of. Its kind of ugly from every angle except the front, which I like for some crazy reason, (it looks like its angry or something) Especially seeing how I don't like any of the new Mitsubishi's.

[MattJelonek]

There'll be a Grandis Diesel here in Australia probably by the end of this year!
Also Aus hav a differnet version of the Oddysy!

Matt.

[MelvinJ]

One note on diesels in the U.S. I hope it doesn't work out this way, but I'm not sure if they have much future here in the car and lower light duty (under 8500 GVW) market.

At NAIAS last week, I watched the presentation on the Jeep Liberty CRD, then asked the Jeep guy if they were out or not, because they were supposed to be released late last year. He said some dealers had them but they couldn't be sold because of emission certification problems. The engine in the Liberty seems as advanced as any diesel out there, and yet they are still running into problems getting it approved. And the requirements are only going to get stricter.

[turbodiesel]

re: GM Fanatic: mind you, Honda Civic Si (SiR in Canada) use the similar shifting sytem, also Mazda5 in the future... but hey it's kind of weird for manual tranny eh?

re MattJelonek: y'all mates gonna have Grandis diesel too!? That's great! oh by the way I noe that Aussie Odyssey is exact JDM one... it could have been our Acura! =.=" OMG!!! GM do something! make it either a Saturn! wakakakakaka... XD

anyways, i hope that Mitsubishi NA can get both gasoline and diesel version for this car... besides, who need large SUV (esp. gas guzzler) nowadayz? a minivan or station wagon is enough! XD

[SuperDave479]

Ewww. They can keep it. We have enough of these little hatch things.

Oh and the shifter on the dash is like that on the previous generation Mustangs too. I don't know what the deal is with that. Does anybody actually like them there?

EDIT: It's actually not that high on the Mustang.

[ElmerMCR]

Looks like some good styling from Mitsu. Fairly nice. It might do all right here if they brought it over...then again probably not. It remins me a lot of the Mazda5 from the side and rear views, and a bit of the Quest in the front. I'm hoping one day Mitsu will do better because I just hate to see any brand struggle, even if I don't care for them. My aunt just told me she bought a 2004 Galant in October. I'll just have to wait till April to see, ride, and drive in it. I'll also be looking for my first car when I go to see her I hope...

[GM_Guy81]

looks like a Vibe, they can keep it.

[jro4566]

If Mazda does in fact go ahead with launching the new MAZDA5 here in the U.S., I bet Mitsubishi would launch this here. It's not ugly, but it's not beautiful either.

[Askani]

Not only is it ugly.... But it is probably slow as @ss...

[Bravada]

This shifter position works well on most cars I know. On the 5-door Civic US doesn't get it is superb. It's just where your hand is! Remember the upright driving position - you wouldn't like to look for the shifter somewhere down on the floor.

[barcodedorganic]

Originally Posted by MelvinJ

One note on diesels in the U.S. I hope it doesn't work out this way, but I'm not sure if they have much future here in the car and lower light duty (under 8500 GVW) market.

At NAIAS last week, I watched the presentation on the Jeep Liberty CRD, then asked the Jeep guy if they were out or not, because they were supposed to be released late last year. He said some dealers had them but they couldn't be sold because of emission certification problems. The engine in the Liberty seems as advanced as any diesel out there, and yet they are still running into problems getting it approved. And the requirements are only going to get stricter.

That's mainly to fault on the US diesel fuel. But if it get's close to the fuel economy numbers it'll be a hit..

[kuns83]

Originally Posted by RCtennis3811

If Mazda does in fact go ahead with launching the new MAZDA5 here in the U.S., I bet Mitsubishi would launch this here. It's not ugly, but it's not beautiful either.

I agree, if Mazda can bring the 5 here, why cant Mitsu with this? However, Honda's first generation Odyssey and the Isuzu variant were of the same general concept, and did not fair to well. Maybe that is making mitsubishi weary of bringing such a product to US shores.

[mbukukanyau]

One Word, arrrgh! just another Zero down....

[turbodiesel]

Originally Posted by barcodedorganic

That's mainly to fault on the US diesel fuel. But if it get's close to the fuel economy numbers it'll be a hit..

true true... wait 'til 2006 then you know...