Mitsubishi Chariot

Mitsubishi Chariot
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Motors
Production	1983–2002
Assembly	Nagoya plant, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
Successor	Mitsubishi Grandis
Class	Compact MPV
Body style(s)	5-door minivan
Layout	Front engine, front- or four-wheel drive
Wheelbase	2380–2630 mm (1983–91) 2520–2720 mm (1992–97) 2780 mm (1997–2002)
Length	4295–4490 mm (1983–91) 4490–4515 mm (1992–97) 4585–4650 mm (1997–2002)
Width	1640–1645 mm (1983–91) 1695 mm (1992–97) 1775 mm (1997–2002)
Height	1525–1580 mm (1983–91) 1580–1595 mm (1992–97) 1650 mm (1997–2002)
Curb weight	1080–1310 kg (1983–91) 1290–1460 kg (1992–97) 1570–1670 kg (1997–2002)

The Mitsubishi Chariot, is a five door, five/seven seat compact MPV produced by Mitsubishi Motors of Japan from 1983 to 2002, and named for the battle chariots used during the times of the ancient Greek and Roman Empires.Internationally, it has been sold under various names, including Mitsubishi Space Wagon, Mitsubishi Nimbus and Mitsubishi Expo. The Chariot has been sold as the Dodge/Plymouth Colt Vista Wagon captive imports in North America, and also been manufactured under license as the Hyundai Santamo, Kia Carstar, and Mitsubishi Savrin in Asia.

The first generation of Chariot was produced from 1983 to 1991 with a choice of SOHC straight-4 powerplants; the 1755 cc 4G37B or 1997 cc 4G63B petrol engines, or the 1795 cc 4D56T turbodiesel, mated to a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. In Australia it won the 1984 Wheels Car of the Year award in its debut year.

The second generation, from 1992 to 1997, was enlarged in every dimension, offering a longer wheelbase, and greater length, width, and height. It retained the 4G63B engine, but phased out the 4G37B and replaced the old turbodiesel with a with a newer 1997 cc 4D68T powerplant, and in 1993 a 2350 cc 4G64 was added to the range. A five-speed manual, or four-speed auto could be specified, and in high-end models an INVECS electronically-controlled 4-speed auto with "fuzzy logic" was also available.

The third and final generation was introduced on October 17, 1997,and was larger and heavier again. It was now known in its home market as the Chariot Grandis, after the French grandiose, to emphasise the increase in the car's size and quality as it moved from a ladder frame to monocoque construction, using the company's RISE safety body. Mitsubishi discontinued all other straight-4 engines in favour of a single gasoline direct injection version of the 4G64, while introducing a new 2972 cc SOHC 6G72 V6 powerplant, also GDI-equipped. The INVECS-II four-speed semi-auto became the only transmission option.

The Chariot Grandis was finally superseded by release of the Mitsubishi Grandis on May 14, 2003,although production of the older vehicle continued until the following year for overseas markets.

A first generation Mitsubishi Chariot.

A second generation Chariot.

The third generation, now known as the Chariot Grandis.

Chariot production and sales

Year	Production	Sales
		Domestic	Export
1995	41,943	figures unavailable
1996	33,648
1997	59,448
1998	88,251
1999	63,010
2000	26,734	22,821	10,092
2001	15,907	10,472	7,018
2002	10,595	3,724	7,310
2003	4,043	49	4,536
2004	138	-	208