express
express

Express due . . . or is that overdue?

Riley Riley

Hold the presses. After a hiatus of more than seven years, Mitsubishi’s long serving Express delivery van is set to make a return.

But it had better be on the money in a delivery scene rapidly being dominated by the Chinese LDV G10, priced from an affordable $28,490 driveaway.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia plans to launch the new Express, a re-badged version of the Renault Trafic, in July.

The Trafic is currently priced from $32,990 before on-roads.

Express will be offered in both short and long wheelbase form, with a choice of manual and automatic transmissions.

Like the previous Express, sold here from the 1980s right through to 2013, it will come standard with dual sliding doors, enhancing flexibility and functionality.

It will be offered with a 1.6-litre twin turbo diesel and 2.0-litre single turbo diesel engine, along with a 25-litre AdBlue tank for improved emissions.

The 1.6-litre engine comes only with a 6-speed manual, while the 2.0-litre diesel is available with the manual or optional 6-speed dual clutch transmission (6DCT).

All versions will be front wheel drive, with the addition of Extended Grip — a traction control mode to assist in low grip conditions.

Short wheelbase models boast 5.2 cubic metres of load space, while long wheelbase provides 6.0 cubic metres.

In addition, Mitsubishi says it has worked with a number of suppliers so that this space can be configured to suit the load.

express
There’s still plenty of the previous model to be seen on the roads.

Along with dual rear sliders, glazed rear barn-style doors have 90 degree and 180 degree stops.  

The rear bumper has an integrated step for easy loading and unloading.

With 16 inch steel wheels, a full-size spare is stored under the cargo floor.

The cabin seats three, with a driver’s seat that features a centre retractable armrest, manual height and lumbar adjustment, as well as a height and reach adjustable steering wheel.  

Bluetooth and USB connections support hands free phone and music streaming.

An open storage is loacted within easy reach on top of the dash while all versions include an integrated smartphone cradle.

Standard features include cruise control with speed limiter, auto stop and go (with manual off switch), and hill start assist.

Also standard are Rear park assist, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and a driver “blindspot” mirror in passenger sunvisor.

There are five airbags: driver and passenger front and curtain airbags, in addition to a driver thorax airbag.  

It is possible to manually deactivate the passenger front airbag when the cabin is configured for other uses.

To assist drivers to load and unload safely, 6DCT models feature a rear view camera display in the rear view mirror.

It also has dusk sensing auto headlights and rain sensing wipers.

The Express will be available in white, black, red and platinum grey (silver), with hard-wearing black fabric trim.

Mitsubishi boss Shaun Westcott said the company is known for bringing Australians a range of flexible, dependable and capable vehicles.

“For customers who need more flexibility, we will offer both short and long wheelbase, our dual sliding doors and a number of accessories to ensure easy configuration of the van for different business requirements,” he said.

“We think these practical features – along with a strong value proposition – will make businesses and fleet managers consider the Express when it comes to building more capability into their business.”

Pricing and more details will be released prior to launch.

 

SWB Manual

SWB Auto

LWB Manual

LWB Auto

Unladen mass (kg)

1810

1870

1860

1920

Gross vehicle mass (GVM/ kg)

2960

2985

3060

3070

Trailer Mass (kg)

2000

1715

2000

1630

Combination mass (GCM/ kg)

4960

4700

5060

4700

 

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