Good things come in small quantities, and this holds true for the Mitsubishi Grandis. Also called Mitsubishi Space Wagon, this five-door seven-seat MPV replaced Mitsubishi's Chariot and featured two engines when it entered the market. These engines include a 2.4 litre 4-cylinder engine and a Volkswagen 2.0 litre turbo diesel (DI-D).
In its short production life from 2003-2011, the Grandis achieved massive success and a solid following.
As a basis for the Grandis, Mitsubishi lifted the design from the Space Wagon, adding onto it a new shining fascia comprising of a curved lower grille and a rising crease from the nose going up from Mitsubishi's restyled badge. The Grandis used the same platform that underpinned the Mitsubishi Airtrek without the Airtrek's increased clearance off the ground.
At its time, the Grandis was a groundbreaking technological marvel, being the model that carried the development of Mitsubishi's Fuel Cell Vehicle concept. The concept was the work of Mitsubishi shareholder Daimler Chrysler. The fuel cell system integrated a fuel cell stack to charge up a series of NiMH placed in 117 litres of compressed hydrogen storage.
The Grandis saw its debut in Malaysia on July 28th 2005 following Mitsubishi's efforts to jump back into the Malaysian market. The Malaysian Grandis received facelifts in September 2007, a design edit in July 2009, and a final modification in August 2010.
With its title track performance, the Grandis managed to clutch the Best MVP Awards at Bangkok International Motor Show for six years. The Grandis, however, was not meant to last. In March 2009, Mitsubishi phased it out from the Japanese market, with global production ending in 2011.
The Grandis in Australia
In Australia, the Grandis wheeled into the market as a 5-door MPV with front-engine front-wheel and 4-wheel drivetrain. In its production timeline, the Grandis VR-X featured the 4G69 2.4-litre inline-4 MIVEC and Volkswagen 2.0-litre inline-4 DI-D engines coupled with either a 5-speed manual, 4-speed INVECS-II automatic, or 6-speed manual gearbox.
The 2005 Grandis model posted a blazing top speed of 189km/hr. Two trims were available for the launch edition, namely:
- Base - 2.4 litre 4-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission (121kW, 217Nm)
- Luxury - 2.4 litre 4-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission (121kW, 217Nm)
The Grandis luxury trim came sporting similar drivetrain specifications with the base models but featured 16-inch alloy wheels and roof rack options.
In 2006, Mitsubishi Grandis received two more trims, the LS and the VR-X. The new trims featured drivetrains similar to previous versions but had heated fronts, newly-developed parking distance control, and a rear spoiler. By its final year in 2010, the Grandis was only available in the VRX trim.
- VRX - 2.4 litre 4-cylinder petrol engine coupled with a 4-speed automatic transmission (121kW, 217Nm)
The Grandis is a story etched in utility and customer service. Despite its short production life, the Grandis lives on in modern-day Mitsubishi wagons like the Delica. With the rising market for spacious family vehicles, a comeback for the Grandis is not far from happening, in the same fashion that Mitsubishi Eclipse made its return.
If you’re looking for spare parts or used car parts for the Grandis or other Mitsubishi models, Carpart Australia would be a very useful resource for you. It's a one-stop hub for both buyers and sellers, so check it out now!