Mitsubishi Express van returns mid-year

There's no price point yet but the new Mitsubishi Express commercial van has been confirmed for Australia.

Due to touch down on local terra firma from July 2020 – assuming there are no extra COVID-19 challenges – it’s the first time since 2013 the Mitsubishi Express van has been sold new in Australia.

If you think it looks remarkably like a Renault Trafic van, don't adjust your contrast settings because the Mitsubishi Express is essentially a re-badged version of the French delivery van.

Built in France, the new Express van will be offered in short and long wheelbase variants and all models get dual sliding side doors and glazed rear barn doors and an integrated rear step as standard equipment.

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The front-drive load lugger will be offered with two engine types, a 1.6-litre twin-turbo diesel (103kW/340Nm) and a 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel (125kw/380Nm).

The entry-level 1.6 engine will be paired exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox while a six-speed dual-clutch auto will be optional on the 2.0 mill.

Standard equipment confirmed for the Aussie market include 16-inch steel wheels (and a full-size spare wheel), three seats with height and lumbar adjustment, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, retractable centre armrest, Bluetooth connectivity, USB port and lots of storage cubbies.

Mitsubishi Express vans ordered with the automatic transmission come with a reversing camera screen integrated into the cabin's rear view mirror, while automatic headlights and wipers are also fitted.

Four colours are offered (white, black, red and platinum grey) and all models get the same 'hardwearing' black fabric according to Mitsi.

Safety systems include five airbags, cruise control, stability control, hill start assist but unlike the Toyota HiAce there is no autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

The Mitsubishi Express will face a couple of major challenges in the segment.

Firstly, it needs to be priced within striking distance of the top-selling vans in the segment – Toyota HiAce ($38,640), Hyundai iLOAD ($39,290), Ford Transit ($42,390) – and it needs to differentiate itself from the sister vehicle, the Renault Trafic ($32,990).

Given the language used by Mitsubishi Motors Australia CEO, Shaun Westcott, the Express van seems likely to undercut all its mainstream competitors. He stated that "…a strong value proposition will make businesses and fleet managers consider the Express when it comes to building more capability into their business."

With that in mind, pricing could start at around $30,000 for the short wheel-based model and $35,000 for the long-wheel base, in order to undercut the circa-$33,000 (SWB) and $37,000 LWB Renault Trafic models.