Jalopnik: delica

Canadians Start 28,000-Mile Voyage In Veggie-Fueled Van, Attempt World Record

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:30:00 EST

A pair of Canadian environmentalists have embarked on a four-month journey to break the Guinness World Record for "longest journey by a car using alternative fuel" by traveling 45,000 km (27,961 miles) across North America in a Japanese-import Mitsubishi Delica 4x4 van converted to run on waste vegetable oil (WVO/SVO) while doling out green wisdom to school children. The current record is held by an all-German team and their natural gas-powered Volkswagen Caddy, which traveled just 23,697 miles across Europe, but we think the Canadians may just be able to do it. The reasons?

First, they've selected the perfect vehicle. The Mitsubishi Delica is a prime vehicle for such a trip. It's a 4x4 powered by a, we assume, converted 2.5-liter turbodiesel. It sleeps two quasi-comfortably. It looks awesome. As we proved with the algae-powered Vanagon camper, vans are ideal for this kind of work.

Additionally, North America makes a much better place to cruise than Europe. All of those empty miles of open road makes for lots of space to eat asphalt. The proposed route takes them through the Northwest and up through much of Canada before crisscrossing the heartland of the United States and, eventually, making their way through Texas and down into Mexico. Once they make it to Texas we're expecting that they can get enough fuel at the first Whataburger to make it all the way back to Canada. Information on their journey below.

Our Goal

We are working to raise individual awareness of our planet’s current environmental situation and how YOU as an individual control its future.

Face it; the majority of the western civilization population has one role in society: consumer. You (among billions of others) are the driving force for governments and corporations. You "vote" them into power through elections and by purchasing products that determine the market. We are reaching a critical point in time when you as an individual must decide if you are a part of the solution or against it.

Daily, the average consumer is bombarded by environmental issues in the media. One buzz word, "global warming," is repeated countless times, over and over, along with the pressure for you to do something about it. The solution to global warming is then conveniently presented to you in the form of a product. The solution to global warming is not in a product, not within your governments hands, nor is it a developing technology. The solution to global warming and all other connected environmental issues depend on your behaviour. We hope to capture your attention. In turn you will save money, act towards a solution for a healthier planet, and live a healthier mental and physical existence.

How will we possibly reach so many people? A massive public display. We plan on breaking the current world record for "Longest Journey by Car on Alternative Fuel." Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) will power our vehicle across Canada, the US, and possibly Mexico. We will be visiting sustainable initiatives along the way and will then deliver what we know and learn on sustainability through public discussion, lectures in schools, radio and television media broadcasting, newspaper and magazine publications, websites, podcasts, internet broadcasting, video documentary, and possibly a TV series. We are preparing to drive more than forty-five thousand kilometres by car on alternative fuel using WVO to surpass the current world record of 38,137 kilometres.

(Thanks to James for the tip!)

[Source: Driven To Sustain]

What's Your Favorite Van Of All Time?

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:40:00 EDT

Though we'll probably never have a "Maximum Van Day," yesterday's hard-living QOTD got us thinking about vans and vanning. Though the idea mostly died out in the 1970's in this country, the spirit of the van has lived on in Japan and in the hearts of anyone that owned a Supervan 2 matchbox car. Whether it's something small like the Mitsubishi Town Box, the gigantic and world-destroying A-Team GMC or Julie Nimoy's Silhouette, vans are rad.

Personally, we took a long trip in our grandfather's turquoise Ford Windstar around Texas that was a lot of fun (a seven passenger van easily fits 15, for the record). But that's not quite our style. We've been waiting for US import laws to change, and money to fall from the sky, so that we could buy our own Mitsubishi Delica Exceed from Japaoind and drive semi-off-road through the Hill Country with our cold ones chilling in the built-in minifridge. Dare to dream fellow Jalopniks.

Homy Wagon V6 Super Long!

Mike Bumbeck — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:00:00 EDT

Turn no further than the Nissan Homy Super Long when it comes time to carry ten people at length. The Homy is not to be confused with the much less luxurious Datsun Homer, or Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear Super Exceed. Beta translation tells us that the commodity example exhibition day on this Homy seems to have already happened well south of town. [Homy via Utilitas.jp]

Mitsubishi Crossover Concept to Debut in Frankfurt

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:45:14 EDT

Dutch mag Auto Vision says those shuffling through the Frankfurt auto show this September will get to see a compact crossover concept from Mitsubishi that may or may not look like a Delica Space Wagon from the mid-1990s (pictured; most likely not). The style play will likely be a research exercise, testing viewers' reaction and gauging market interest. As Motor Authority translates, the small crossover — which may be influenced by Mitsu's Dakar racer — could hit European forecourts as early as 2009. [via Motor Authority]

SUPER CUSTOM! Toyota Hi-Ace on eBay

Mike Bumbeck — Thu, 10 May 2007 13:30:00 EDT

Falling directly in the center of the odd intersection between nineties Japanese Space Wagons and seventies American Custom Vans is this Toyota Hi-Ace Super Custom. Packing a total of four captain's chairs and at least five Plymouth Caravelles worth of burgundy velour - this Hi-Ace is loaded, Johnny. Cool and hot box with ice maker and digital dash control give this space wagon supreme potential. – Mike Bumbeck

Toyota Hi-Ace 4WD Super Custom Limited on eBay [eBay.com]

Related:
Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear SUPER EXCEED! [Internal]

Now, More Than Ever: Mitsubishi Delica Exceed on eBay

Mike Bumbeck — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 14:45:00 EDT

Our somewhat disturbing obsession with boxy and oddly designed Space Wagons continues. Out of all of them, the Exceed remains supreme. This Exceed features more than a few FUSO style mirrors, a whole heap of nerf bars, seating for eight including swiveling captains chairs, a 2.5L turbodiesel, and what appears to be a dash-mounted horizon gauge. This no doubt perfect for tricky maneuvers at higher speeds. Dirt and snow defeating 4X4 underpinnings clinches it. If there was money in the bank we might just be tempted to make the trip to the Great White North to get this one. No matter what happens though, we won't be washing Johnny LaRue's car. No way, eh! – Mike Bumbeck

1991 Mitsubishi Delica Exceed 4X4 [eBay]

Related:
Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear SUPER EXCEED! [Internal]

Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear SUPER EXCEED!

Mike Bumbeck — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:28:09 EST

No, really. We don't make this stuff up. The third generation of the mighty Delica boasted a turbodiesel powerplant and 4WD. This capability along with plenty of mirrors, lights, nerf bars, ladders, and roof racks transcended the Delica beyond mere space wagon and into super classification. The Super Exceed was also offered as the Royal Exceed, and the Delica was even rebadged as a Mazda Bongo. The Delica is now in its fifth generation, and being sold under the not nearly as exciting Delica D:5 moniker. As Hello Kitty shows us in the video, the Delica remains both cavernous and versatile.

Mitsubishi Delica D:5 Presented by Hello Kitty [Mitsubishi Motors Japan]

Misubishi's New D:5 Minivan for Japan

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 10:28:58 EST

Turns out Mitsubishi's D:5 minivan concept (the one that looked like a squared off Dodge Tradesman) was a preview of the company's newest minivan for Japan. Mitsu announced today that the new monobox van, like the concept, will be dubbed "Delica D:5" when it hits dealerships early in 2007. D:5 means it's the fifth generation Delica in a line that traces its roots to 1968, with the first Delica light-duty cab-over pickup. The new model, the company says, "fuses a minivan with an SUV," making it somewhat of a crossover vehicle, though it has more in common visually with Japanese vans of yore. – Mike Spinelli