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| Manufacturer | Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries (1962–64) Mitsubishi Motors (1964–present) |
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| Production | 1962–present |
| Assembly | Mizushima plant, Kurashiki, Okayama |
| Class | Kei car |
| Related | Mitsubishi Minicab |
The Mitsubishi Minica is a kei car produced by Mitsubishi Motors for the Japanese domestic market since October 1962. It was first built by Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries, one of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' three regional automotive companies until they were merged in 1964. It is the oldest Mitsubishi passenger car still in production, and the only one which predates the company itself.
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Mitsubishi 360
The precursor of the Minica was the Japanese: Mitsubishi 360, a series of and cars and trucks introduced in 1961. Designed for the lowest kei car vehicle tax classification, it was powered by an air-cooled 356 cc engine. After the successful introduction of the Minica, the 360 pickup continued alongside until 1966, though it now shared its name with the sedan.
First generation
| Production | 1962–69 |
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| Body style(s) | 2-door sedan 2-seat pickup truck |
| Engine(s) | ME21 359 cc OHV twin cylinder two-stroke engine |
The first Minica was first introduced as a two-door sedan based on the Mitsubishi 360, with a front-mounted ME21 359 cc twin cylinder air-cooled engine driving the rear wheels, transverse leaf springs in front and beam axle/leaf springs at the rear.
In 1966, the Mitsubishi Minicab cab-over pickup truck was launched to replace the Mitsubishi 360. Powered by the same air cooled two-stroke 359 cc engine as the Minica, it came with cargo gates on three sides to simplify loading and unloading.
Second generation
| Production | 1969–72 |
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| Body style(s) | 3-door sedan 2-door wagon 2-door coupé |
| Engine(s) | 2G10 359 cc OHV twin cylinder two-stroke engine 2G21 359 cc SOHC twin |
| Wheelbase | 1,900 mm (74.8 in) |
| Length | 2,995 mm (117.9 in) |
| Width | 1,295 mm (51.0 in) |
| Height | 1,389 mm (54.7 in) |
| Curb weight | 490 kg (1,080 lb) |
| Fuel capacity | 20 litres (4.4 imp gal; 5.3 US gal) |
The second generation Minica was introduced in July 1969 with a three-door sedan body, 359 cc engine and coil springs front and rear. Two 2G21 SOHC water-cooled powerplants were optionally available, the Red 28 hp (21 kW) engine and the Gold engine fitted with twin SU carburetors developing 38 hp (28 kW), which was fitted as standard to the GSS sport model. A two-door wagon body was added in December, which would remain in production until the fourth generation in the early 1980s.
The Minica Skipper was introduced in May 1971 as a two-door coupé with liftable rear window, and a choice of 2G21 Red or Gold engine.
Third generation
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| Production | 1972–84 |
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| Body style(s) | 3-door sedan 2-door wagon 2-door coupé |
| Engine(s) | 2G21 359 cc SOHC I2 2G22 471 cc SOHC I2 2G23 546 cc SOHC I2 |
| Wheelbase | 2,000 mm (78.7 in) |
| Length | 3,160 mm (124.4 in) |
| Width | 1,400 mm (55.1 in) |
| Height | 1,320 mm (52.0 in) |
| Curb weight | 565 kg (1,250 lb) |
| Fuel capacity | 30 litres (6.6 imp gal; 7.9 US gal) |
The third generation Minica was introduced as the Minica F4 in October 1972 with a 359 cc OHC engine in the same basic configuration, but with the liftable rear window of the coupé, which itself continued production with the new engine as the Minica Skipper IV.
In April 1976 the kei car regulations were revised again, and the car and wagon received a new 471 cc engine, a small increase in length, and a new name, the Minica 5. The next year, the car and engine grew once again, creating the Minica Ami 55.
In 1981 the car received a facelift which again increased its size, and it was renamed Minica Ami L, while the wagon was replaced with the Minica Econo three-door sedan.
In 1982, the 'MCA-Jet' 2G23B engine and a 2-speed, part-time 4WD were integrated into the lineup. A high-roof Estate Van model was added featuring a wide rear bench seat, to reflect a more consumer-oriented application. Since this model focused on personal transport, cargo space capacity was reduced from 300 to 200 kg. A silent chain transfer was adopted on the front and rear direct transfer on 4WD-equipped models to further reduce interior noise.
In March 1983 the Minica Ami L Turbo became the first kei car to be offered with a turbocharger.
Fourth generation
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| Production | 1984–89 |
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| Engine(s) | 3G81 548 cc I3 3G83 657 cc I3 |
| Wheelbase | 2,260 mm (89.0 in) |
| Length | 3,195 mm (125.8 in) |
| Width | 1,395 mm (54.9 in) |
| Height | 1,420 mm (55.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 580 kg (1,300 lb) |
The fourth generation Minica was introduced in February 1984 as a front engined, front wheel drive vehicle for the first time. It offered three- and five-door configurations, increased size and a torsion beam/coil spring rear suspension. In September 1985 a four wheel drive model with a live rear axle was introduced. This generation was the first to be exported, as the Mitsubishi Towny, originally with a two cylinder 783 cc engine, later with a three cylinder 796 cc engine; a three door panel van was also marketed. It was also locally manufactured by CMC motors in Taiwan as the "Towny", first available in 783cc 2-cylinder version with 4-speed manual transmission and later 796cc 3-cylinder cyclone engine with 5-speed manual transmission and all in 5-door versions.
Fifth generation
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| Production | 1989–93 |
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| Engine(s) | 3G81 548 cc I3 3G83 657 cc I3 3G83T 657 cc I3 turbo |
| Wheelbase | 2,260 mm (89.0 in) |
| Length | 3,195 mm (125.8 in) |
| Width | 1,395 mm (54.9 in) |
| Height | 1,420–1,515 mm (55.9–59.6 in) |
| Curb weight | 580–720 kg (1,300–1,600 lb) |
In January 1989 the fifth generation Minica was officially introduced, although the engine, wheelbase, and suspension remained unchanged. In addition to the three- and five-door models, a variant with a single door on the right side, two doors on the passenger side, and a liftgate was introduced, named the Mitsubishi Lettuce. An advanced new turbo engine with double overhead cams and the world's first mass-produced five valve per cylinder engine was introduced for the Dangan ZZ model, producing 64 horsepower (48 kW).[1][2] It was later made available in naturally aspirated form as well, while the older design engine also was increased in displacement to 657 cc in March, 1990 when the kei car regulations were again updated. A three door MPV model with optional four-wheel drive, the Minica Toppo, was introduced.
Sixth generation
In September, 1993, the sixth generation three and five door Minica and Minica Toppo were introduced, with longer wheelbase. The five valve per cylinder three cylinder engines were replaced with a pair of 659 cc four cylinder engines; one normally aspirated with single overhead cam and four valves per cylinder, and one turbocharged with double overhead cam and five valves per cylinder. A version of the Toppo with two doors on the passenger side, similar to the "Lettuce", was made available, along with a limited edition RV version. In January, 1997 versions of the Minica and Toppo with retro-styled front ends were introduced as the "Town Bee" model, and exported to Taiwan as the "Towny".
Seventh generation
The enlarged seventh generation Minica was introduced in October, 1998 to take advantage of the new regulations, as a pair of three door and five door sedans with torsion beam rear suspension and optional four wheel drive, with the only available engine the 657 cc three cylinder overhead cam unit, now equipped with four valves per cylinder. A 5-door MPV built on this platform but with a four cylinder double overhead cam five valve per cylinder turbocharged engine, known as the "Mitsubishi Toppo BJ" was also introduced. In January, 1999 the retrostyled Town Bee version of this generation of Minica and the "Mitsubishi Toppo BJ Wide" were introduced. In October, 1999 a 659 cc four cylinder single overhead cam four valve per cylinder turbocharged engine was introduced, and in December, 1999 a limited edition of 50 "Mitsubishi Pistachios" with a 1,094 cc double overhead cam four valve per cylinder direct injection engine was made available only to organizations working to protect the environment. In October, 2001 a five door wagon version of the Minica was introduced as the Mitsubishi eK Wagon.
References
- ^ "A baby that sprints: tiny Mitsubishi engine blasts off with five valves", Ward's Auto World (April 1989)
- ^ "Mighty Minica ZZ-4", Michael Knowling, Autospeed, issue 353, October 19, 2005
External links
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