Mitsubishi brings Grandis nameplate back with a rebadged Renault

Mitsubishi has revealed the first photos and technical specifications of a new car called the Grandis. The same badge was worn by a minivan that went out of sale in Europe 13 years ago, but the newcomer is mainly just a Renault under a different sauce.

The company actually mentions it being based on a Renault chassis, but avoids putting the finger on a specific model. Even so, the new Grandis has the unmistakable silhouette of the Renault Symbioz. It also has its headlights, taillights and interior. Differences boil down to a new front bumper with a large air intake, a tweaked radiator grille and new 19-inch wheels. The trunk volume varies from 434 to 1,455 liters (15.33–51.38 cubic feet).

In its most basic form, the new Grandis uses a 1.3-liter turbo engine producing 140 PS (138 hp / 103 kW) with the help of a mild-hybrid add-on. It can be optioned with a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

All higher specs are tri-motor mild hybrids. A 1.8-liter engine rated at 109 PS (108 hp / 80 kW) works in tandem with an electric motor adding another 49 PS (48 hp / 36 kW) and a starter-generator contributing 20 PS (20 hp / 15 kW) of its own. A 1.4-kWh lithium-ion battery supplies the power. Despite the tiny battery size, the car can be driven in all-electric mode, although we imagine it being quite limited.

You can also force the powertrain into hybrid mode, tell it to prioritize regenerative braking or activate a feature called E-Save. It will ensure that your battery charge doesn’t drop below 40%.

Option-wise, the Grandis SUV comes with a 10.4-inch infotainment touchscreen powered by Google services, a dimmable panoramic roof, a motion-aware power tailgate and a slew of electronic assist features. Sales will begin later this year, Mitsubishi says, with all production handled by a Renault factory in Spain.