| Mitsubishi Town Box | |
|---|---|
![]() First generation Mitsubishi Town Box (Early model) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors (1999–2011) Suzuki (2014–present) |
| Also called | Nissan Clipper Rio Suzuki Every Wagon (2014–present) Proton Juara (Town Box Wide) |
| Production | First generation: April 1999–November 2011 (Town Box) June 1999–August 2001 (Town Box Wide) June 2007–January 2012 (Clipper Rio) Rebadged Suzuki Every Wagon: February 2014–present |
| Assembly | Mizushima plant, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Microvan (Town Box) Minivan (Town Box Wide) |
| Body style | 5-door van |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Related | Mitsubishi Minicab CMC Veryca |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,390 mm (94.1 in) |
| Length | Town Box: 3,395 mm (133.7 in) Town Box Wide: 3,605 mm (141.9 in) |
| Width | Town Box: 1,475 mm (58.1 in) Town Box Wide: 1,535 mm (60.4 in) |
| Height | Town Box: 1,890 mm (74.4 in) Town Box Wide: 1,810 mm (71.3 in) |
| Curb weight | Town Box: 970–1,030 kg (2,138–2,271 lb) Town Box Wide: 990–1,050 kg (2,183–2,315 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mitsubishi Minicab Bravo |
The Mitsubishi Town Box is a kei car (Town Box) and minivan (Town Box Wide) produced for the Japanese domestic market (JDM) by the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors. It was initially available with the alloy-headed 4A30 657 cc inline-four engine, but switched to the 3G83 659 cc straight-three engine in 2002. In August 2001, a slightly larger version of the same vehicle powered by a 4A31 1.1 L straight-four, the Mitsubishi Town Box Wide, was discontinued. The first generation Town Box was discontinued in November 2011, ending the twelve-year production run. The model returned in February 2014 as a rebadged version of the Suzuki Every Wagon.
The first generation Town Box was also sold in Japan as the Nissan Clipper Rio,[1] while the Town Box Wide was also produced under licence in Malaysia as the Proton Juara.[2]
Suzuki OEM deal
In February 2014, Mitsubishi started selling rebadged Suzuki Carry trucks and Every vans as the Mitsubishi Minicab. The passenger-oriented Every Wagon, which has a more designed rear end but shares the Carry Van's chassis code, was also included and received the Town Box badge (DS64W). As the Every only had a year of production left, Mitsubishi did not spend a lot of effort to distinguish their model, restraining themselves to changing the badges. In March 2015 a new Every Wagon and Town Box was introduced (DS17W). The newest model offers increased interior space, a longer wheelbase, and the new Suzuki R06A engine; turbocharged and intercooled. It is offered in G and G Special specs.
Annual production and sales
| Year | Production | Domestic sales | Export sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2,261 | n/a | |
| 1999 | 14,421 3,616 (Wide) |
n/a | n/a |
| 2000 | 8,953 1,441 (Wide) |
8,772 809 (Wide) |
– 664 (Wide) |
| 2001 | 6,662 2,939 (Wide) |
7,357 79 (Wide) |
420 2,640 (Wide) |
| 2002 | 4,949 | 5,170 | – |
| 2003 | 5,561 | 5,430 | – |
| 2004 | 4,262 | 4,201 | – |
| 2005 | 4,143 | 4,171 | – |
| 2006 | 3,357 | 3,649 | – |
| 2007 | 10,105 | 3,696 | – |
| 2008 | 8,241 | 3,162 | – |
(Sources: Facts & Figures 2000, Facts & Figures 2005, Facts & Figures 2009, Mitsubishi Motors website)
Gallery
1999 Mitsubishi Town Box rear view
Mitsubishi Town Box Wide
2007 Nissan Clipper Rio
Second generation Mitsubishi Town Box G (DS64W)
Third generation Mitsubishi Town Box G 4WD (DS17W)
Third generation Mitsubishi Town Box G 4WD (DS17W)
References
- ↑ Nunn, Peter (June 19, 2007). "Oh, Kei Go! Nissan's New Clipper Rio Debuts". Winding Road. Archived from the original on November 9, 2007.
- ↑ "Proton Moves into a New Niche", Chips, Autoword.com.my, July 23, 2001
External links
- Mitsubishi Town Box, Mitsubishi-motors.com
- "Mitsubishi Town Box" (in Japanese). Mitsubishi-motors.co.jp. July 1, 2007. Archived from the original on June 23, 2007.
