Mitsubishi Toppo
Mitsubishi Toppo | ||
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Curb weight 620–860 kg (1,367–1,896 lb) | | |
Chronology | ||
Successor | Mitsubishi eK Space |
The Mitsubishi Toppo is a light
Originally named the Mitsubishi Minica Toppo, a retro-styled variant was introduced in 1996 called the Mitsubishi Minica Toppo Town Bee. In 1998 a new generation was launched; now referred to as the Mitsubishi Toppo BJ ("Big Joy"). A larger derivative, the Mitsubishi Toppo BJ Wide was introduced in 1999. The model was replaced by the new eK in 2001, although it was sold alongside the eK until being discontinued in 2004. The Toppo was reintroduced in 2008; now referred to simply as the Mitsubishi Toppo.[2] In Japan, it was sold at a specific retail chain called Galant Shop.
Minica Toppo (first generation)
Mitsubishi Minica Toppo | ||
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Curb weight | 620–760 kg (1,370–1,680 lb) |
Based on the Minica, the tall three-door
The most basic "Toppo C" was a strict two-seater with blanked out rear side windows, equipped with a four-speed manual and a minimum of equipment.[5] In the original commercial vehicle lineup, the C was accompanied by the U, U2, and the four-wheel drive U2-4 models. The introductory passenger version lineup started with the lowest priced B, followed by the Q, the Q2, and the four-wheel drive Q2-4.[4]
Model codes are H22A/H27A for the passenger models, H22V/H27V for van models. H22 is front-wheel drive, H27 is four-wheel drive. Commercial use models and the lower-end passenger versions received a carburetted SOHC engine with 40 PS (29 kW) at 6000 rpm.
In late October 1990, the Minica Toppo Q坊 (Q-Bo) special edition based on the Toppo Q2 was released; 2,000 units went on sale.[9] Aside from various special equipment such as power steering, power windows, a rooftop spoiler, fog lamps, and special interior fabrics, the Q坊 received two-tone paint in two different combinations: San Marino Yellow with Sophia White roof, or Ivy Green with a Pearl White roof.[9] The Q坊 became a recurring special edition, being re-released with minor alterations in August 1991 (now based on the better equipped Q3 and with a 6-disc CD changer), August 1992, and ultimately in May 1993. The last edition Q坊 was also available with four-wheel drive. Another special edition was the Minica Toppo Flower Express of March 1991, a two-seater van with blanked rear side windows especially aimed at florists.
In January 1992, the Toppo (as well as the Minica) was modified, mainly to meet new safety regulations. The passenger car models benefitted from side impact protection in the doors, steering wheel locks, seat belt reminders, non-asbestos gaskets, and more.[3] Some models received 3-point belts in the rear seats as well, not a standard item in kei cars until the end of the decade. The grille, bumpers, headlights, and seat fabrics were new. The Toppo also received an opening rear gate window and a protrusion on the rear bumper which served as a step.[3] The new Canvas Top was available on the turbocharged Qt as well as on the naturally aspirated Qc.
Production of the Minica Toppo ended in September 1993 as a new version was introduced; however, the new model continued to use the rear bodywork of the first Minica Toppo coupled with the new front and underpinnings of the new seventh generation Minica, effectively making it a thorough facelift.
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First generation Mitsubishi Minica Toppo
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First generation Mitsubishi Minica Toppo (rear)
Minica Toppo (second generation)
The second generation Toppo was sold from 1993 to 1998. Being essentially as extensive facelift of the first generation model.[10]
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Mitsubishi Minica Toppo Town Bee (Second generation Toppo)
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Mitsubishi Minica Toppo Town Bee rear view (Second generation Toppo)
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Mitsubishi Minica Toppo
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Mitsubishi Minica Toppo (rear)
Mitsubishi Toppo (third generation)
The third generation Toppo was sold from 1998 to 2004.[11] A version with larger bumpers and fenders and a 1.1-litre engine, the Toppo BJ Wide, was also built from January 1999 until March 2001. The BJ Wide was too large and had too big of an engine to qualify as a kei car.
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1999 Mitsubishi Toppo BJ
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1999 Mitsubishi Toppo BJ (rear)
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2001 Mitsubishi Toppo BJ Wide
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Mitsubishi Toppo BJ Wide (rear)
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2001 Mitsubishi Toppo BJ "Guppy" trim package
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Mitsubishi Toppo H41A
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Mitsubishi Toppo H41A R
Mitsubishi Toppo (fourth generation)
The fourth generation Toppo was sold from 2008 to 2013.[12]
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2008 Mitsubishi Toppo
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2008 Mitsubishi Toppo rear
In popular culture
- The AWD Toppo appears alongside several of its kei car contemporaries in Super Famicom.
References
- ^ Facts & Figures 2000 (PDF), Tokyo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, September 2000, p. 17, archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-10-22
- ^ Mitsubishi Motors press release Archived 2008-09-20 at the Wayback Machine, September 17, 2008
- ^ ISBN 4-915220-39-7
- ^ a b 三菱 ミニカトッポ (初代 1989-1993):ミニカをベースにした軽トールワゴンモデル [H22/27] [Mitsubishi Minica Toppo (1st generation 1989-1993): tall kei wagon based on the Minica [H22/27]] (in Japanese). B-cles. 2020-06-11. Archived from the original on 2020-12-12.
- ^ "ミニカトッポ C FF 4MT(1990年3月) のカタログ情報" [Catalog information for Minica Toppo C FF 4MT (March 1990)]. Goo-net (in Japanese). Proto Corporation. Archived from the original on 2020-12-08.
- ISBN 4-915220-38-9
- ^ Automobile Guide Book 1991~'92, p. 215
- ^ Automobile Guide Book 1992~'93, p. 207
- ^ a b Kumakura, Shigeharu, ed. (February 1990). "New Model Digest". Car Graphic (in Japanese). Vol. 30, no. 359. Tokyo: Nigensha. p. 66.
- ^ "Mitsubishi Minica Toppo 2nd generation (H30) specifications: versions & types".
- ^ "Mitsubishi Minica Toppo 3rd generation (H40) specifications: versions & types".
- ^ "Mitsubishi Minica Toppo 4th generation (H82A) specifications: versions & types".