Running into mental blocks while thinking of something to write next is always a common issue, so instead I turned to my followers on Instagram for some thoughts instead. What I have never thought was possible is the comparison between 2 things that are only related by the number of wheels they have and the "Elica" suffix in their names.
I can confidently say that I am the first person in history to compare the Toyota Celica sports car and the rugged workhorse that is the Mitsubishi Delica!
Of course, since this comparison is like comparing the "taste of a bottle of Mountain Dew" to the "population of the Province of Luxembourg, Belgium"; we will have to use a points system to tally up who's got more GUMPTION!!!
Here's how it will work. Each car will earn:
30 points for performance. This incorporates 10 pts for Horsepower (pure muscular bragging rights), 10 pts for Power-to-weight Ratio (who moves their mass more effectively) & 10 pts for Top Speed / Acceleration (straight-line speed).
30 points for Economy & Practicality. This will be 10 pts for Fuel Efficiency (measured by liters per 100kms - lower is OBVIOUSLY better!), 10 pts for Cargo / Passenger Capacity (This is where the Delica will fight back hard!) & 10 pts for Curb Weight!
Gen 1 Matchup: 1970 Celica (A20) VS 1968 Delica (T90)
The contenders for this round is the Celica 1600GT, which is powered by the twin-cam 2T-G 1.6 L engine making roughly 113 hp. It weighed a feather-light 940 kg; & the T90 Delica Truck, which was powered by a modest 1.1 L "Keone" engine making 58 hp. However, it was built to carry a 600 kg payload in its bed, despite weighing only around 810 kg empty.
The Verdict: Tie (30 - 30)
On pure speed and power, the Celica leaves the commercial truck in its dust. But on the economic front, the Delica's ultra-light curb weight, thrifty 1.1 L engine, and massive payload capacity allow it to claw its way back to a statistical draw.
Gen 2 Matchup: 1977 Celica (A40) VS 1979 Delica Van (L300)
The contenders for the second round is the Celica 2000GT (RA40) which was the top-tier JDM model of the 1970's emissions laws restrictions. It was powered by the DOHC 18R-GU engine pushing 130 hp, but due to more safety standards, the weight jumped to 1,050 kg! For this round, the Mitsubishi corner is backed by the 1.4 L Delica Van (or L300 in some international markets). This generation introduced a completely redesigned widebody format. Driven by a 1.4 L 4G33 inline 4 engine making 80 hp, it managed to hold its wight down to a respectable 930 kg in its lightest base van configuration.
The Verdict: Tie (30 - 30)
The Celica easily claims the performance trifecta. While it gained a ton of weight over the first generation to comply with safety regulations, the twin-cam 2.0 L engine had just enough muscle to keep its power-to-weight ratio superior to the brick-shaped van. On the other hand, the Delica pulls off a massive upset in the weight category. Despite being a much larger, 8-seater box; its bare-bones utilitarian construction meant the base model stripped away enough amenities to actually weight less than the plush, carpeted sports coupe. Combined with better fuel economy and enough volume to mode a studio apartment, it effortlessly swept the economic category.
Gen 3 Matchup: 1981 Celica XX 2800GT (A60) VS 1986 Delica Star Wagon 4WD (Express)
The third round introduced the Celica XX (or Celica Supra in some markets) 2800GT. This car was the absolute Pinnacle of the A60 chassis. It packed a silky-smooth 2.8 L 5M-GE inline 6 engine churning out 170 hp. Because of the elongated front end and luxury tech, weight climbed up to 1,250 kg. On the other end of the spectrum was the Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon 4WD, the ultimate overlanding brick. Equipped with a rugged 4WD transfer case lifted right out of the Pajero SUV, it was powered by a 2.0 L 4G63 inline-4 engine making 92 hp. The heavy off-road running gear ballooned its weight to 1,330 kg.
The Verdict: Celica Wins (40 - 20)
Again, the Celica wins due to its lighter, more aerodynamic body, but surprisingly, it loses out in the performance category to the Delica D:5's 170 hp MIVEC engine. Other than that, the Delica D:5 also wins with the practicality with its 3-row seating arrangement.
Gen 6 Matchup: 1993 Celica SS-II (T200) VS 2019 Delica D:5 Facelift (CV1W)
The contenders for round 6 is the Celica SS-II, still with its 2.0 L twin-cam 3S-GE, but with more power at 180 hp. Because it was built during the JDM golden age of lightweight sports platforms, the curb weight sat at a nimble 1,190 kg. The Delica D:5 shares the same platform as the 2007's Delica D:5, but this facelift heavily favoured an efficient, high-grunt powertrain. It utilized an updated 2.2 L 4N14 common-rail turbodiesel engine producing 145 hp and a massive 380 Nm of torque, flowing into a new 8-speed automatic. Heavily loaded with modern tech, sound deadening and AWD armour, its weight sat at a staggering 1,940 kg!
The Verdict: Celica Wins (40 - 20)
For the first time, the Delica achieves its first milestone by winning the Fuel Economy category! But again, the size and shape of the car, plus its smaller engine, make the Celica pull through again!
Gen 7 Matchup: 1999 Celica SS-II (T230) VS 2023 Delica Mini T Premium 4WD (B38A)
For the final matchup, Toyota has the 7th generation Celica SS-II uses a new 1.8 L 2ZZ-GE with VVTL-i that had a screaming 8,400 rpm redline, putting out 190 hp. With its vastly new chassis and body, as well as the 2000's plastic revolution, the weight dropped to just 1,140 kg. With Mitsubishi, the Delica Mini is the absolute top spec of miniature rugged box cars. Adhering to strict JDM Kei car laws, it uses a tiny 659 cc turbocharged 3-cylinder hybrid engine capped at exactly 64 hp. Thanks to its micro-proportions, it tips the scales at a featherweight 1,040 kg.
The Verdict: Tie (30 - 30)
Having shrunk the Delica to the size of a pillbox on wheels, the Delica once again dominates the Economical sectors, and ever if it small, its high-roof cube volume allows for much better stretching space and cargo-delivering potential. And on top of that, the Celica goes back to being the master of performance this time round, making this whole battle come back full circle!!!
Conclusion
Though it may seem like the Celica has dominated most of the battles, with the end result being 4 Wins and 2 Draws, the Delica held its own with its superior cargo capacity! At the of this battle, I feel like you Celica fans are smirking at the loss of the Mitsubishi Delica, but to roast you guys, AT LEAST THE DELICA IS STILL ALIVE!
Where are you, Celica? Still dead?
Rumor has it that the Celica might be returning to production this year or the next, as Toyota has already been using its platform in rally stages. The Delica is also returning sometime in 2027 with the "D:6" nameplate. The concept has already been shown off at international motor shows and promotional material has it overlanding, so we may have a rally-van come back to mainstream media! When that happens, we will do another round!
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