Mitsubishi's compact Dion minivan is based on the company's compact-car platform.
The Dion has three rows of seating, with a third-row bench seat that can be stored under the floor.
The Dion's independent rear suspension.
The 2.0-L GDI engine of the Dion is a scaled-down version of the Mitsubishi's 2.4-L unit.
The Dion was subjected to mandatory side (and frontal) crashes.
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A versatile people and cargo carrier—seating up to seven people, within the dimensions of Japan's small-vehicle classification, powered by a fuel-efficient 2.0-L inline four-cylinder engine combined with a column-shift automatic, and offered at an affordable price—is one of more successful vehicle formulas in Japan. In short, the "Japanized" minivan. Honda's Step-WGN has been hugely successful, and Toyota and Nissan offer similar vehicles, but Mitsubishi was lacking an entry. The new Dion rectifies the situation.
The Dion has an all-steel, welded unitary body with four conventionally hinged doors and a tailgate. The vehicle is 4460 mm (176 in) long, 1695 mm (67 in) wide, and 1650 mm (65 in) tall, on a 2705-mm (106-in) wheelbase, with 1470-mm (58-in) front and rear tracks. The vehicle conforms to Japan's small-car size, not exceeding 1.7 m (5.6 ft) in width. It belongs to a favorable annual tax bracket.
The Dion seats up to seven people in a 2-3-2 configuration. The third-row bench seat can be folded and stored under the floor, creating a large cargo space—a feature not found in the competitors' compact minivans. The lineup is simple—a single engine and transmission combination, front-wheel drive, and four levels of trim. An all-wheel-drive range may be added later. The vehicle's mass ranges between 1380 and 1400 kg (3040 and 3090 lb).
The engine is a bore-reduced version of the 4G64-GDI gasoline direct-injection 2.4-L four-cylinder redesigned 4G63-GDI. With an 85-mm (3.35-in) bore and 88-mm (3.46-in) stroke, it displaces 1997 cm3—just under the small vehicle limit of 2.0 L. It produces 101 kW (135 hp) at 5800 rpm and 183 N•m (135 lb•ft) at 3500 rpm on a moderate 10.3:1 compression ratio, and is content with regular-grade unleaded fuel. The GDI's high-pressure fuel pump now integrates a
pressure regulator, eliminating a separate regulator unit and simplifying the assembly. The pump feeds fuel pressured at 5.5 MPa (800 psi) throughout the engine's entire operating range. The engine is mated to Mitsubishi's INVECS-II adaptive four-speed automatic. The powertrain is mounted transversely and drives the front wheels.
The chassis is straight from the corporate parts bins, with front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link independent suspension, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, and a front ventilated disc/rear drum brake combination with variable vacuum assist and ABS.
A noteworthy safety feature fitted to all windows and optional rear sliding moonroof is a sensor-and-switch system that stops and lowers/opens a closing glass pane should a limb, neck, or object get caught.
Jack Yamaguchi
AEI May 2000
