Variations on a theme: L300s in Costa Rica

[marsgal42]

I just got back from a week in Costa Rica, and got some pictures of some of the vehicles that were on the road.

There were a few Mitsubishi L300 vans, mainly commercial vehicles. Most L300s I saw were badged as Hyundai Grace. The early ones, in particular, are obviously low-roof L300s. I also saw many Hyundai Gallopers, re-badged Pajeros. Mitsubishi changed the name from Pajero to Montero when they found out what "pajero" means in Latin American Spanish.

While I haven't been able to confirm it, there appears to be a lot of L400 DNA in the Hyundai S-TREX, again, especially the early ones. Non-Delica highlights (yes, there is such a thing... ) included Renault Kangoos as taxis, and a dealer display of Citroen C4s at Multiplaza Escazu. I want one! There were a few kei cuties running around, mainly Daihatsu and Suzuki (Alto and Every). They look funny with the steering wheel on the wrong side.

Like everybody else on the planet, Ticos tend to drive Japanese.

Pictures to follow...

...laura who got in at 2 this morning...yawn...

[mararmeisto]

Now that I know what 'pajero' means in Spanish (slang evidently), it makes me wonder: what the heck did it mean in Japanese?

[Green1]

My girlfriend is currently in Costa-Rica, she called and told me there are Delicas everywhere, apparently they make her think of me and my crazy vehicle ;)

[marsgal42]

Here are a couple of pictures.

The L300 nature of the Hyundai Grace is obvious. I got too much reflection off the windows to get a shot of the interior, which is immediately recognizable.

Hyundai Grace, a badge-engineered L300

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I can't confirm the ancestry of this critter, but it sure looks like there is L400 DNA here. The contrast is wicked, but shooting pictures mid-day in the tropics will do that...

Hyundai S-TREX. A badge-engineered L400?

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Many Japanese car names are selected by people who speak very little English, though they know that English is ultra-cool, and want names that sound cool to a Japanese car buyer. The brass who approve the car names don't usually speak much English either. My favourite in this regard is still the Mitsubishi Lettuce, with honourable mentions to Suzuki Every and Honda Beat, which comes with Midship Amusement. I still don't know what they were thinking when they came up with Pajero which means fbzrobql jub znfgheongrf gbb zhpu in Latin America (ROT13 for purposes of decorum).

...laura

[Green1]

hyundai does make Delicas under license from mitsubishi (many vehicles are like that where 2 companies make the same vehicle under a different name)

[jaggedfish]

There's something ironic about the Grace's bullbars having the name "Autobahn" on them...

The "Lettuce" made me laugh.

[Pajerist]

Now that I know what 'pajero' means in Spanish (slang evidently), it makes me wonder: what the heck did it mean in Japanese?

In Japanese it is the same as Leopardus pajeros.
Have a look: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pampas_Cat

[Chewy]

Don't forget the Canter GUTS!

[Erebus]

In Japanese it is the same as Leopardus pajeros.
Have a look: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pampas_Cat

Now that is one gorgeous cat!

[Pajerist]

Now that is one gorgeous cat!

Yes, it is! Amazing truck!

[Chewy]

bit of a wanker tho.

[Pajerist]

bit of a wanker tho.

Oh, MAN! Stop talking about yourself!

[marsgal42]

I just got back from this year's trip down south, and got a couple of shots of interest to this forum.

These are the new model Hyundai Grace, a badge-engineered Mazda Bongo. Mitsubishi sell the same vehicle in many markets (e.g. Australia, New Zealand) as the L300 Express van. Unlike the older model Grace, this is not the same vehicle as our Star Wagons. It's a completely new design.

New model Hyundai Grace, a badge-engineered Mazda Bongo.

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While it's not a Delica, this was too cute to pass up. Daihatsu is owned by Toyota, and is, effectively, their kei-jidousha division. I am a tight fit in a Miata. This would be a non-starter for me, but I have two teenage nieces who would kill for such a car...

Daihatsu Copen, front view.

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Daihatsu Copen, rear view.

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This is a hard-top convertible, BTW; the top folds down in to the trunk. I also saw a JDM Nissan Homy that had been converted to LHD.

Astronomically, highlights included watching Comet Lulin make its way across Virgo and Leo, and seeing both the nearest star (Proxima Centauri, 4.2 light years) and the farthest object visible in amateur-size telescopes (3C273, 2.5 billion light years) in the same night...

...laura