Mitsubishi Minica

Mitsubishi Minica
Production period:	1962-2011
Class :	Microcar
Body versions :	Sedan , hatchback , station wagon , coupe
Successor:	Mitsubishi eK

The Mitsubishi Minica was a miniature car in the Japanese kei car class that Mitsubishi Motors produced in eight generations from October 1962. The Minica rounded off the Mitsubishi model range downwards. The first Minica was a 2-door notchback sedan and was based on the Mitsubishi 360 van built from 1961 to 1969 . A second generation called coupe version Skipper was available from 1971 to 1974. In 1990 a high-roof version of the Minica was introduced as a new series, which was initially called Mitsubishi Minica Toppo , but later only Mitsubishi Toppo . Since 2011, Mitsubishi has only offered the Mitsubishi eK in the kei car class .

Minicab LA 20/21/23 1964-1969

LA 20/21/23
Production period:	1962-1969
Body versions :	limousine
Engines:	Otto engine : 0.36 liters
Length:	2995 mm
Width:	1295 mm
Height:	1400 mm
Wheelbase :	1900 mm
Empty weight :

Minicab A100 / 101, A100 / 101VH-A104 / 105VJ-A106V 1969–1973 / Minicab Skipper 1971–1974, Minicab Van 1969–1981

A100 / 101, A100 / 101VH-A104 / 105VJ-A106V
Production period:	1969-1972
Body versions :	Hatchback , station wagon , coupe
Engines:	Otto engine : 0.36 liters
Length:	2995 mm
Width:	1295 mm
Height:	1305-1390 mm
Wheelbase :	1900 mm
Empty weight :	445-490 kg

• 

  Skipper

• 

  Minica Van

Minicab A103A-A104A 1972-1977

A103A-A104A
Production period:	1972-1977
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 0.36-0.47 liters
Length:	2995-3175 mm
Width:	1295-1395 mm
Height:	1315 mm
Wheelbase :	2000 mm
Empty weight :	515-565 kg

Minicab A105A / 106A, A107A / V 1977-1984

A105A / 106A + A107A / V
Production period:	1977-1984
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Otto engine : 0.55 liters
Length:	3175 mm
Width:	1395 mm
Height:	1315 mm
Wheelbase :	2050 mm
Empty weight :	565 kg

Minicab H11A / VH12VH14A / VH15A / V 1984-1989

H11A / VH12VH14A / VH15A / V
Production period:	1984-1989
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 0.55-0.8 liters
Length:	3195 mm
Width:	1395 mm
Height:	1420 mm
Wheelbase :	2260 mm
Empty weight :	580 kg

Minicab H21A / VH22A / VH26A / VH27A / V 1989-1993

H21A / VH22A / VH26A / VH27A / V
Production period:	1989-1993
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Petrol engines : 0.55-0.66 liters
Length:	3195 mm
Width:	1395 mm
Height:	1420-1515 mm
Wheelbase :	2260 mm
Empty weight :	580-720 kg

Minicab H31AH32A / VH36 AH37A / V 1993-1998

H31AH32A / VH36 AH37A / V
Production period:	1993-1998
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Otto engine : 0.66 liters
Length:	3295 mm
Width:	1395 mm
Height:	1475-1505 mm
Wheelbase :	2280 mm
Empty weight :	590-780 kg

In September 1993, the seventh generation three- and five-door Minica and the Mitsubishi Minica Toppo were introduced. The wheelbase was lengthened. The drive was now taken over by a 659 cm³ four-cylinder engine, optionally with a turbocharger . The Toppo minivan was now also available with two doors on the passenger side. From January 1997 there were also versions of the Minica and Toppo with retro-style elements as "Town Bee" models, which were also exported to Taiwan as Mitsubishi Towny .

Minicab (3-door) H42A / 47A 1998–2007, H42V / 47V (5-door) 1998–2011

H42A / 47A, H42V / 47V
Production period:	1998-2011
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	Gasoline engines : 0.66 liters
Length:	3395 mm
Width:	1395 mm
Height:	1475-1510 mm
Wheelbase :	2340 mm
Empty weight :	680-790 kg

The enlarged eighth generation was launched in October 1998 with torsion beam rear suspension and optional all-wheel drive . The only available gasoline engine was a 657 cc three-cylinder with overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. The Mitsubishi Toppo BJ also started on the basis of the 8th generation . From January 1999 a retro version was again available and from October 1999 there was also a 659 cc four-cylinder engine with a turbocharger. In December 1999 the Mitsubishi Pistachio started on the basis of the Minica with a 1094 cm³ petrol engine and direct injection . A five-door high-roof station wagon based on the minicab, Mitsubishi eK, has been available since October 2001 . After Mitsubishi ceased production and sales of the Minica in 2011, the eK is now the manufacturer's only model in the Kei-Car class.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ 360cc: Nippon 軽 自動 車 Memorial 1950 → 1975 (Nippon Kei Car Memorial 1950-1975) , Tokyo: Yaesu Publishing, 2007, pp. 58–59 (Japanese). ISBN 978-4-86144-083-0

Web links

Commons : Mitsubishi Minica  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Minica on the manufacturer's website at the time (Japanese) ( Memento from May 24, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
• MinicaI on Gazoo (Japanese) ( Memento from September 28, 2004 in the Internet Archive )
• History of Mitsubishi in the Kei-Car class