Mitsubishi Delica D:5 Concept

Minivans here are about as exciting as white toast. Manufacturers have attempted to jazz them up, but they’re still tyke and gear transporters, at best. Not so for the Mitsubishi Delica D:5, which is showing up at the Tokyo Auto Salon next week. It’s an all-wheel-drive, ruggedized minivan that’s way more exciting than the wheeled bread boxes we’re used to here. Mitsu outfitted the D:5 with niceties like bash bars, a safari-esque roof rack, red mud flaps, and a differential lock to get you out of trouble. Though there’s no mention of beefier suspension components for true off-roading chops, there’s no doubt it’ll fare better than front-wheel drive soccer mom-mobiles. A clean-burning diesel engine with torquey electric assist (hybrid) is available, and three rows of capacity mean no one will get left behind. Too bad we won’t see it stateside to cure our minivan ills.