The current generation Mitsubishi Grandis is a good representation of the Japanese automaker as a whole. Plastic-y interiors, underdone ride and handling and anodyne looks combine to make the Grandis a poor substitute for the vastly superior and better selling Toyota Tarago [Australia]. With its South Korean competition having long ago stepped up to the plate, it’s disappointing to see Mitsubishi lagging so far behind.
David Cardoso, the artist who in the past has brought us design studies such as Renault Twist MPV and Audi Hydron, has envisioned a possible successor to the Grandis in the form of the Flexis. Appearing to be smaller than the Grandis - with seating more likely for five instead of seven - the Flexis takes it’s styling cues from the Opel Meriva, Peugeot 3008 and 2012 Ford Focus.
Overall it’s a good expansion on Mitsubishi’s current design language, and a far sight better than when Mitsubishi tried applying its new corporate face to the aging Colt. You can check out our full gallery below or voice your opinion in the comments section below.
By Tristan Hankins
Designer: David Cardoso
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12 Comments:
Can windows get yet even smaller?
Can you stop asking stupid questions?
Does need a bit of work but I can actually see this in the line up.
And I am not really one to praise.
Mitsubishi The only Asian manufacturer taking design seriously (besides Hyundai and little son Kia)
As for Toyota, Nissan, Honda, they are going down hill.
As an example, I just saw the new Corolla on the street today.
Toyota should realize that that is it for this body style, bubbling the head/tail lamps, and putting a little chrome here and there wont do, its over Toyota, come up with something nice already, your models now have lines so undecidable you cant even install your toyota logos and decals in a straight position.
What a childish (read fanboy) and biased intro. The Grandis came in 2003, a good 3 years before the 3rd gen Tarago. While I agree that Mitsubishi interiors need work, when taken as package, the Grandis was a competent and competitive people mover.
"Can you stop asking stupid questions?"
can U stop asking stupid questions? lol...actually hes kinda right, cars nowadays are harder to see out of compared to older cars....especially in the back seats....
@anon 2:
Let's stay polite, okay? My point is that small windows might look "sporty" and dynamic but they ruin overview and make it harder to see cars around you on the motorway, to spot cyclists in towns, and to park.
And I think here the artist has overdone it. It doesn't even look dynamic anymore but heavy because even for an MPV the waistline is too high.
Same problem with big wheels: they look brilliant but ride comfort and weight suffer from the size.
This is the type of product Mitsubishi should be building now and not just "studying". Let's start dancing in time to the music.
Mitsubishi needs to bring the diesel Pajero to the US!
Can you get this smaller car? Like an Toyota IQ ?
they can resurect the Mitsubishi Space Runner!
perfect design.
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