Mitsubishi Minicab

The Mitsubishi Minicab is a cabover kei

truck and microvan built and sold in Japan
by the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi
Motors since 1966. In Japan, it was sold at
a specific retail chain called Galant Shop.
An all-electric model of the Minicab, called
the Minicab MiEV, is sold in the Japanese
market since December 2011.[1] It was
also sold by China Motor Corporation
(CMC) in Taiwan as the CMC Verica,
starting in 1985. Since February 2014, the
Mitsubishi Minicab is a rebadged Suzuki
Carry and Every.
 Mitsubishi Minicab

Overview

Manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors

(1966-2014)
Suzuki (2014-present)

Also called Mitsubishi Veryca

(Taiwan)
Mitsubishi Jetstar
(Indonesia)
Mitsubishi L100
Nissan Clipper
Nissan NT100 Clipper
 (2012-2013)
Nissan NV100 Clipper
(2012-2013)
Suzuki Carry (2014-
present)
CMC Varica
Production 1966–present

Assembly Mizushima plant,

Kurashiki, Okayama,
Japan

Body and chassis

Class Microvan
Kei truck

Body style Van
Pickup truck

Layout FR layout, F4 layout

Related Mitsubishi Town Box
Powertrain

Engine 359 cc ME24 I2 two-

stroke
359 cc 2G10 I2 two-
stroke
471 cc 2G22 I2
546 cc 2G22 I2
644 cc 2G24 I2
783 cc 2G25 I2
796 cc 3G82 I3
659 cc 4A30 I4
1.1 L 4G82 I4

Chronology

Predecessor Mitsubishi 360

First generation

1966 Mitsubishi Minicab (LT30)

The Minicab cab-over pickup truck was

launched in 1966 to replace the 360
trucklet, which by this time had adopted
the same model name as the Minica
sedan. Codenamed LT30 it shared the
sedan's air cooled two-stroke 359 cc ME24
engine, and was available with cargo gates
on three sides to simplify loading and
unloading. A van version was introduced in
1968, available in four different equipment
levels.[2] The T30 truck was replaced in
1971 by the new Minicab EL, but the van
was kept in production (now also called
the "Minicab EL") and updated with a
dummy grille and headlight surround. The
air-cooled T30V with its 26 PS (19 kW)
engine was kept in production until 1976,
with no further modifications except a
1974 adjustment to fit larger license
plates. The better equipped Super Deluxe
version received a version of the ME24
engine with 30 PS (22 kW).[3] 224,766 first
generation Minicabs were built.[4]
Second generation

1972-1976 Mitsubishi Minicab W (T131)

In 1971 the Minicab underwent its first

model change, with the Minicab EL
offering a new interior and a longer cargo
bed. Called the T130 it was only available
in truck form, with the old LT30 van
soldiering on until the third generation was
introduced in 1976. Ride quality was
improved with the adoption of a front
wishbone and rear leaf spring suspension.
The EL received all new bodywork with tiny
rectangular headlamps.

A panel van was added to the Minicab

truck lineup in 1972, when it also became
the Minicab W with the new water-cooled
2G10 engine (hence the W).[2] This model
carries the T131 chassis code and is
easily identified by its reworked front end,
reverting to round headlights. It also
carries a prominent "W" on the front,
beneath the left headlight. The grille was
altered and the headlights made larger yet
in 1973, with the "W" replaced by a
"Minicab" script. For 1975 the Minicab
received an emissions cleaned engine
using Mitsubishi MCA technology, still with
28 PS (21 kW). 209,774 second generation
Minicabs were built, making it the slowest
selling generation.[4] The third generation,
however, was mostly a heavily modified
T130.

Third generation

Third generation Minicab van (L100, Chile)

In April 1976, the third generation Minicab
was introduced. In keeping with the
changes in vehicle tax regulations, the
Minicab 5 (L012) featured an increase in
length, and adopted the enlarged 471 cc
Vulcan S engine from the car line, still with
the same max power as the 360. It also
incorporated new features like a
windscreen defroster, a central console
box and a central ventilation system. This
engine did not take full advantage of the
new regulations, which allowed up to
550 cc, and was only used in a short-lived
group of interim models.
It was modified again in April 1977, when it
was widened and received a full 546 cc
engine and the new name "Minicab Wide
55" (L013). Power was increased
marginally to 29 PS (21 kW). It continued
until 1979, when Mitsubishi dropped "Wide
55" from the Minicab name as the market
was now considered to be aware of the
increase in body size and engine capacity.
Power also increased by two horsepower
at this time. For some export markets,
such as Chile, this version was known as
Mitsubishi L100.[2] This model was
thoroughly updated in 1981, when the
engine was changed to the timing belt-
equipped 2G23. At the same time, the
name was changed back to simply
"Minicab", and the chassis code was
switched to L015. In November 1981 the
export-market L100 received the 2G24, a
644 cc version of the new engine. These
cars received small "650" badging at the
front.

In 1982 the flat-floor Van model adopted a

double-walled construction to offer a flat,
open cargo area. The 4WD model was also
introduced in 1982, when the range
received a minor facelift. Overall, 768,393
third generation Minicabs (L012, L013,
L015) were built.[4]
In China the third generation was built and
sold as both the Shenwei SYW 1010, the
Wuling LZW 6330 for the passenger variant
and as the Liuzhou Wuling LZ 110.[5] The
LZ 110 was available as a van or as a
truck, and had Mitsubishi's larger 800 cc
engine as fitted to certain other Mitsubishi
export versions. Production ran from 1990
to 2009 for 2010 model year.[5]

Fourth generation
 Fourth generation
(U11/12/14/15/18/19)

Minicab Super Deluxe truck (U11T)

Overview

Manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors

Also called Mitsubishi Jetstar

(Indonesia)
Mitsubishi Mighty
Mits (USA)
Mitsubishi Minicab
Bravo
CMC Verica
Production 1984.06–1991.01

Assembly Mizushima plant,

Kurashiki, Okayama,
Japan
Jakarta, Indonesia

Body and chassis

Body style Pickup truck,

microvan

Layout FR layout, F4 layout

Related Cushman White

Truck[6]

Powertrain

Engine 546 cc G23B I2

548 cc 3G81 I3
657 cc 3G83 I3
 993 cc CB20 I3
(Indonesia)

Dimensions

Wheelbase 1,780 mm (70.1 in)

Length 550 cc:
3,195 mm (125.8 in)
660/1000 cc:
3,225 mm (127.0 in)
Vans: 3,265 mm
(128.5 in)

Width 1,395 mm (54.9 in)

Chronology

Successor Mitsubishi Colt

T120SS (Indonesia)
Further model range updates have been in
parallel with the Minica. In June 1984 the
range was updated, becoming the fourth
generation U11/12 series (2WD/4WD).[7]
Although improvements were made to
enhance the Minicab's commercial
applications, the most noticeable changes
were made to support personal leisure
activities. Angular headlamps played an
important role in the Minicab's styling,
along with larger windows to improve
visibility. A rear window wiper, electronic
locking rear gate and power brakes were
adopted. Mitsubishi offered fifteen front-
and four-wheel drive van model variations
and ten truck variations. This was also
when the "Bravo" name was added to
better equipped van models. This
generation (collectively referred to as the
U10)[4] was built until November 1990,
eventually reaching the U19 chassis code.
In total, 707,348 fourth generation
Minicabs were built.[4]

1990 Minicab XL 4WD van (U19V)

Additional models went on sale in

February 1985, and it received a small
facelift in September of that year. In
February 1986 the van range received two
additions: a 2WD automatic and a dual-
range, five-speed 4WD model.[7] In June
1987, a more thorough change took place
as the two-cylinder Vulcan-II engine was
replaced with the three-cylinder Cyclone
(3G81). A supercharged model was added
to the lineup, which was now called
U14/U15. In August 1988 there was a
facelift, and in April 1989 the NX and Bravo
AX models were added (both with four-
wheel drive).[7] In January 1990, naturally
aspirated models were upgraded to the
657 cc 3G83 engine (U18/U19), as a result
of new regulations, while a minor facelift
with bigger front and rear bumpers
increased the length marginally. Vans were
now 3,265 mm (128.5 in) long, while
trucks were 3,225 mm (127.0 in).[8] The
car did not take full advantage of the new
rules, as it was a rather short-lived interim
model, and supercharged versions
continued to use the smaller engine until
they were discontinued in 1990. Those
received a "G" at the end of the chassis
codes, meaning that a four-wheel-drive
supercharged van would now be the
U15VG and so on.[7]
1990 Minica Super Deluxe 4WD truck (U19T)

The fourth generation Minicab

incorporated many class-leading features
such as an automatic free-wheel hub
adopted on all four-wheel drive models,
while two-wheel drive models had a
turning radius of 3.7 metres (12.1 ft). The
estate models featured the first sliding
sunroof in their class. In 1987, the Minicab
became the first manufacturer to offer a
supercharged kei truck.[2] It was also
marketed in the United States for off-road
purposes only, where it was sold as the
"Mighty Mits."

Mitsubishi Jetstar …

From 1986 until 1989 a wider version with

a longer rear end was built and sold in
Indonesia as the "Jetstar".[9] Rumor said,
the name of "Jetstar" came from the
combination of "jet" (Daihatsu Hijet) and
"star" (Mitsubishi's three-diamond emblem
that looks like a star).[10]

This Indonesian built Minicab was

powered by 993 cc three cylinder Daihatsu
engine (CB20) from Daihatsu Hijet. It was
because in 1981, the government declared
that no engine built in Indonesia was to be
of less than one liter displacement by
1985. As the result, manufacturers of local
microvans and trucks scrambled to install
larger engines.[11] But unfortunately, at that
time, Mitsubishi didn't have one liter
engine and instead using engine from
Daihatsu. In 1991, it was replaced by eight
generation Suzuki Carry-based Mitsubishi
Colt T120SS.

CMC Varica and CMC Veryca …

In Taiwan, long wheelbase iterations of the

fourth generation Minicab were also
available with a variety of bodywork. The
Taiwanese version (built by CMC, China
Motor Corporation) was called the CMC
Varica ( 中華威利, Zhōnghuá Wēi Lì) and
was available with a 1061 cc 4G82 engine
with 58 PS (43 kW). Overall length was up
to 3,645 mm (143.5 in), with a wheelbase
lengthened to 1,475 mm (58.1 in) right in
front of the rear axle. Top speed was
115 km/h (71 mph).[12] The Varica's nose
was also extended somewhat.
First generation CMC Verica 1100DX van

Second generation CMC Verica 1100DX

truck
 Third generation CMC Verica 1200 van

Fifth generation

Fifth generation Minicab van.

A larger and completely redesigned

Minicab (U40-series) was released in 1991
to take advantage of tax regulations
allowing for increased dimensions and
engine capacity of kei cars. Three new
660cc engines were introduced: a 4-valve
SOHC unit, a 5-valve DOHC unit and a 2-
valve SOHC unit. Across the range, there
was a total of 66 possible model
variations.[2] This included a new variant,
the retro-styled Bravo Route 66, however,
one previous variant, the high-roof truck,
was discontinued.[5] 723,772 fifth
generation Minicabs were built.[4]

Sixth generation
Sixth generation Minicab van.

The sixth generation Minicab (U60-series)

was introduced in 1999 now sporting a
new semi-front design. By April 1999, a
"wagon" version called the Town Box was
introduced. 419,070 petrol-engined U60s
were built,[4] but the Minicab MiEV remains
in production as of 2020.

Minicab MiEV …
Prototype of the Mitsubishi Minicab MiEV all-electric
van.

Mitsubishi began testing of the Minicab

MiEV in Japan in October 2010.[1] In
January 2011, Mitsubishi announced that
it would add an electric version of Minicab,
Minicab MiEV, for sale in Japan in the third
quarter of 2011. Mitsubishi later
announced a December 2011 launch.[13]

Mitsubishi picked up early orders for 100

units from major delivery company
Yamato Transport in May of that year.[14]
The commercial use electric vehicle is
estimated to have a range of 100 km
(62 mi) with a full charge, which is lower
than that of i-MiEV, in a bid to reduce
costs. The price is aimed for less than
¥2,000,000 (about US$24,450) after
subsidies.[15]

The Minicab MiEV was released in the

domestic market in December 2011,[1][16]
and a total of 4,544 units have been sold in
Japan through October 2013.[17] A truck
version of the Minicab MiEV was launched
in January 2013,[18] and sales totaled 536
units through October 2013.[17]
Nissan Clipper …

Mitsubishi also manufactured a badge-

engineered version of the Minicab pickup
on behalf of Nissan, who sold it as the
Nissan Clipper (a badge originally used on
a larger range of Prince and Nissan
trucks).[19] The trucks were called "NT100
Clipper", vans "NV100." The
Minicab/Clipper competed in the
Japanese market with the Honda Acty,
Subaru Sambar, Daihatsu Hijet, and the
Suzuki Carry. The Minicab and Clipper
were both facelifted in July 2012, to meet
new safety regulations. Following
Mitsubishi's announcement that they
would stop manufacturing their own kei
trucks for 2014, Nissan stopped selling the
rebadged Minicab in November 2013.
Since then, both Mitsubishi and Nissan
rely on the Suzuki Carry/Every range for
their entry in the keitora class.

Gallery …
Interior (Early)

Interior (Later: Minicab MiEV)

Mitsubishi Minicab MiEV (Van)

Mitsubishi Minicab MiEV (Truck:

Prototype)
Nissan Clipper

Fourth generation CMC Veryca van pre-

facelift front view
Fourth generation CMC Veryca van pre-
facelift rear view

Fourth generation CMC Veryca facelift van

front view
 Fourth generation CMC Veryca facelift van
rear view

Seventh generation
The seventh generation Mitsubishi
Minicab is a rebadged Suzuki Carry and
Every. It was introduced in February 2014.
The vans (DS64V) were available for only
one year, as the Every on which they were
based was just about to be replaced.
Mitsubishi also offered the more
passenger-oriented Suzuki Every Wagon
(same chassis code), differing mostly in
terms of equipment and engines but with a
redesigned rear, reviving the Mitsubishi
Town Box badge which had lain dormant
for a couple of years. The truck range
(chassis code DS16T) remains in
production as a result of Suzuki deciding
to let the two model lines diverge.
Seventh generation Mitsubishi Minicab
Van Bravo 4WD (2014-2014)

Mitsubishi Minicab Truck M 4WD (2014-

current)
Eighth generation
The eighth generation Mitsubishi Minicab
(DS17V, van only) was introduced in
March 2015, and is also a rebadged Suzuki
Every. The Every Wagon-based Town Box
was changed simultaneously.
 Mitsubishi Minicab Van Bravo Turbo 4WD

Rear view

References
1. "Mitsubishi Motors starts taking
orders for Minicab-MiEV commercial
mini EV" . Mitsubishi Motors Australia.
Archived from the original on 3
December 2013. Retrieved 27 June
2011.
2. "Minicab" . Mitsubishi Motors History.
Mitsubishi-Motors.co.za. Archived
from the original on 26 June 2008.
⾃動⾞ガイドブック: Japanese
3. "
motor vehicles guide book 1972—73"
(in Japanese). 19. Japan: Japan
Automobile Manufacturers
Association. 23 October 1972: 178.
4. "40th Anniversary minicab" (in
Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Mitsubishi
Motors. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
5. Schaefers, Martin. "History of
Japanese Kei Class Minivans and
Trucks" . Far East Auto Literature.
Retrieved 20 April 2011.
. "Cushman White Truck Parts" . Mini
Truck Parts. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
7. 主要部品カタログ MINICAB [Main
Parts Catalog: Minicab] (Parts
Catalog) (in Japanese), Tokyo, Japan:
Mitsubishi Motors, September 1991,
p. A4, A0248800K2
 . ⾃動⾞ガイドブック [Japanese Motor
Vehicles Guide Book 1990~'91] (in
Japanese), 37, Japan: Japan
Automobile Manufacturers
Association, 25 October 1990, pp. 257,
274, 0053-900037-3400
9. Fourie, Louis F. (29 December 2016).
On a Global Mission: The Automobiles
of General Motors International. 3.
Friesen Press. p. 1239.
10. https://www.mobilmotorlama.com/20
15/12/mitsubishi-jetstar.html?m=1
11. Salamun, Untung (March 1984). "MPU
larisnya seperti pisang goreng" [MPUs
are selling like fried bananas]. MOB:
Mekanik Populer & Mobil (in
Indonesian). Jakarta, Indonesia: P.T.
Dinamika Dharma: 47. ISSN 0125-
9520 .
12. Mitsubishi Varica New Tone 1100
(catalog) . Old Car Manual Project.
1991. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
13. Lienert, Paul. "Mitsubishi To Unveil
Plug-In Hybrid Concept: 2011 Tokyo
Auto Show" . Edmunds Inside Line.
Retrieved 14 November 2011.
14. Stephen Munday (26 May 2011).
"Yamato Takyubin Delivery Co. Orders
100 Minicab-MiEV Vans" . Integrity
Exports.
15. Isabel Reynolds (21 January 2011).
"Mitsubishi Motors to use Toshiba
battery in EV: report" . Reuters.
1 . Eric Loveday (11 December 2011).
"Mitsubishi to Launch Electric Mini
Truck in 2012" . PluginCars.com.
Retrieved 5 October 2012.
 三菱 i-MiEVなどの2013年10⽉度 販
17. "
売実績" [Mitsubishi i-MiEV sales
results for October 2013] (in
Japanese). Electric Vehicle News. 28
November 2013. Retrieved
30 November 2013.
1 . Mark Kane (10 June 2013).
"Mitsubishi's Pure Electric Vehicle
Sales Tumbling in Japan as Outlander
PHEV Dominates" . InsideEVs.com.
Retrieved 16 June 2013.
19. "Mitsubishi supplies Nissan with mini-
vehicles" . AM Online. 10 August 2006.
Retrieved 4 September 2011.

External links
 Wikimedia Commons has media
related to Mitsubishi Minicab.

Mitsubishi Minicab official site

(Japanese)

Retrieved from
"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Mitsubishi_Minicab&oldid=984802346"

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