If you think the newly announced Mitsubishi Express van looks a little like Renault’s highly impressive and successful Trafic, then that’s because it is a Renault Trafic.
Mitsubishi released the pricing for its new ‘badge engineered’ Express van along with warranty and service information for the reincarnated nameplate that puts the Japanese maker back in the commercial van market after six years.
This time around the Express comes with a distinctly French accent thanks to its direct relationship to the Renault Trafic which has come about as a result of Mitsubishi’s membership of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.
Pricing for the Mitsubishi Express which will wear a three diamond badge as opposed to Renault’s traditional single diamond badge, is strangely slightly more expensive than the French brand. This despite the fact that the Mitsi doesn’t get the benefit of the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto features in the audio system. Apart from that the two are pretty close in spec and appearance with the Express’ only external difference being. a new grille, bonnet, and obviously two more diamonds on the badge.
Mitsubishi says the Express will come to market with four models with the entry level 1.6L Twin Turbo GLX SWB Manual starting at $38,490 plus on road costs, which is $2000 dearer than the same spec Renault Trafic, the 85kW L1 SWB manual 1.6L which has a tag of $36,490.
The rest of the Mitsubishi line up includes the 1.6L Twin Turbo GLX LWB Manual at $40,490, the 2.0L Turbo GLX SWB Auto at $42,490 and the 2.0L Turbo GLX LWB Auto at $44,490. By comparison the Renault equivalents are generally approximately $1000 to $2000 less than the rebadged version, except for the LWB 2.0L Auto Renault, which at $45,990 is $1000 dearer than the equivalent Express.
Like the Renault the Express will be available in standard with dual sliding doors across the range and Mitsubishi will offer a standard five-year/100,000km warranty.
Mitsubishi says the Express warranty demonstrates Mitsubishi’s commitment to giving business customers peace-of-mind, so that they can focus on realising their business potential.
Mitsubishi is also making capped price servicing available for the first three years or 45,000km ownership with service intervals set at 15,000km, consistent with other Mitsubishi vehicles and the company says the cost per service is $250, and the cost of servicing over the first three years totals $750,.
Mitsubishi’s new ‘French Connection’ Express will officially go on sale July 6th, pity it wasn’t eight days later on Bastille Day!.
