The new Mitsubishi Grandis – Mitsubishi’s stunning new people carrier. Designed to be the MPV of choice - a vehicle as good to drive as it is to look at - the new seven-seater Grandis made its UK debut at the Birmingham Motor Show in May 2004.

Lower, sportier and sharper than its competitors, the Mitsubishi Grandis will appeal to customers to whom design and driving dynamics are just as important as every day practicality. Grandis delivers on all counts with its low 1655 mm profile, bold styling, excellent interior flexibility and finely tuned steering, suspension and brakes.

Grandis features Mitsubishi’s new “Hide & Seat?” concept, the rear row of seats on the Grandis can be individually folded away into the floor in a simple operation that takes seconds. This feature - unique in the full size MPV segment - creates extra luggage capacity without the problems of folding, removing, carrying and storing heavy seats. With the second and third row of seats folded in place, 1545 litres of cargo capacity is available. The versatility of the seating also means the third row seats can be reclined for additional comfort, and both seats can be reversed for relaxing under the open tailgate.

All Mitsubishi Grandis models come laden with specification and important safety features including ABS, EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution), driver and passenger front and side airbags plus curtain airbags for the first and second rows of seats.

The Grandis is available with a choice of either petrol or diesel engine. At the heart of the petrol Grandis lies a 2.4 litre SOHC 16 valve 4 cylinder powerplant equipped with Mitsubishi's innovative MIVEC variable valve timing system, developing 162bhp @ 6,000 rpm and 217 Nm @ 4,000 rpm. In terms of performance, Grandis produces a top speed of 124mph (118mph With automatic transmission), will accelerate from 0-62 in 10.0 seconds (11.7 Seconds with the automatic transmission) and has a combined fuel consumption figure of 30.1mpg or 9.4 litres/100km (28.2mpg or 10.0 litres/100km for the automatic).

Alternatively there is the class-leading 2.0 litre 134bhp diesel engine. Turbo-charged with 1,968cc this DOHC 16 valve EU-4 compliant diesel engine is equipped with a pump-jet injection system developing 134bhp at 4,000rpm and 310Nm at 1,750rpm. Mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, this state-of-the-art Volkswagen-sourced engine gives the 1,690kg Grandis DI-D top league performance with a maximum speed of 121mph, a 0-62 dash time of 10.8 seconds and, most importantly, an economical combined fuel consumption figure of 43mpg.

As the first vehicle 100% created under the direction of Olivier Boulay, Mitsubishi’s charismatic Global Head of Design, Grandis was inspired by numerous concept cars, including the awesome CZ3 Tarmac. Olivier Boulay states, “Grandis is a high level fusion design, blending cool and comfortable with emotional and sporty”.

Mitsubishi Motors was one of the first to enter the MPV segment with the Space Wagon in February 1983. The new Grandis, while not a direct replacement for Space Wagon, is an evolution of the MPV concept created to be sleek, distinctive with flexibility that reflects the real needs of MPV customers.