Mitsubishi L200 Pick-Up Range
The previous generation Mitsubishi L200 ran riot in the UK pick-up sector for seven long years, mopping up over 45% of total sales in its 2003 heyday. Today, amidst far stiffer competition from rival products, the latest L200 will need to be right on its game to even partially emulate its forebears dominance. Does it have enough of the good stuff?
The Mitsubishi L200 was the key protagonist in a pick-up truck market that grew by 347% in the six years leading up to the end of 2004. By debuting a series of high specification double cab derivatives aimed at business people and private buyers who wanted a versatile, leisure vehicle that could also fulfil functional and commercial roles, Mitsubishi set the scene for the pick-ups meteoric rise on these shores. As demand for pick-ups grew, the leading manufacturers began to take more notice of a niche market that could now yield substantial returns. Nissan and then Toyota were the first to replace their aging and rather agricultural offerings with modern and more sophisticated models: this L200 is Mitsubishis attempt to avoid being left behind and retain the class leadership crown. While its undoubtedly the lifestyle end of the pick-up market that has accounted for the lions share of recent growth, a successful product must also cater for customers who still want a no frills commercial vehicle. The L200 attempts to do this via a range of trim levels, bodystyles and transmission offerings. Mitsubishis successful 4Work branding of its 4x4 commercial vehicles continues with the entry level L200s.
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"at the top lifestyle-orientated end of the market where image and styling are so important, this L200 has a distinct advantage"
Beyond the trim levels, there are three bodystyles to mull over. The single cab is reserved very much for businesses that need a proper old school working pick-up. Its traditional two seats and extensive 2,220mm load length mean it prioritises cargo over cabin and its only offered in the base 4Work and 4Life trims. In contrast, you can get an L200 double cab in any trim level you like.
This is a five-seater model with a decent amount of legroom for the rear passengers and seat backs angled at 25 degrees which make a pleasant change from the staunchly upright seating provision usually found in older double cab pick-ups. There has to be a compromise for this extra passenger space and it comes in the shape of a modest 1,325mm load length but if compromise is your thing, perhaps a club cab may be more to your liking. This is a halfway house L200 that sits between the double and single cabs offering a 1,805mm load length with additional capacity behind the cabins front seats for secure storage or small passengers. The club cab is available with the three lowest trim specifications.
Whichever L200 bodystyle you choose, it will have a 1,085mm load width, a capacity to carry in excess of 1,000kg and a 2,700kg braked trailer towing limit. This Mitsubishi L200 is not being offered in 2WD form but theres still a choice of transmission systems. Entry level derivatives, specifically the 4Work and 4Life, get the Easy Select 4WD set-up that served the previous generation L200 quite adequately. This system run should be run in 2WD mode in normal conditions with a locked 4WD mode selectable on low friction surfaces.
A major advance with this L200 is the introduction of the Super Select 4WD system in the plusher derivatives. This is an advanced full time 4x4 set-up similar to that found in Mitsubishis Shogun. It allows the L200 to be driven in 2WD or fulltime 4WD mode on the road without the excessive wear and tear suffered by part time systems as a result of transmission wind-up. In slippery offroad situations, a further 4WD mode can be selected which maximises traction by locking the centre differential.
Both of the systems are operated by the traditional and rather clunky lever sited alongside the gear stick which seems slightly dated when compared to the dash-mounted dials used by rival manufacturers. All of the Super Select L200 models feature the M-ASTC traction and stability control system as standard. Easy Select or Super Select, power to drive the L200s fancy offroad underpinnings comes from the same engine. Its a 2.
5-litre common-rail injection unit that most drivers should instantly realise is a huge improvement over the rough and not particularly ready direct injection powerplant in the previous generation L200. In standard form, this engine turns in a healthy 134bhp and torque of 231lb/ft at 2,000rpm but a power upgrade option is also available that tickles the output up to a macho 160bhp. In 134bhp guise, the unit is capable of hitting 60mph from standstill in 14.6s before rumbling on to a 103mph top speed but the optional automatic gearbox reigns performance in to a sluggish 17.
8s sprint. Average fuel economy of nearly 33mpg is quoted for the manual versions with CO2 emissions of 228g/km. Ride quality has long been a major downside of pick-up ownership but the L200 makes steps in the right direction with its independent double wishbone front suspension. At the back are heavy duty leaf springs, which wont help on-road composure but are necessary for large payloads to be accommodated.
Also underneath, chassis rigidity has been greatly improved compared to the old L200, lessening vibration and boosting handling. All of which leads us onto what could be the Mitsubishi L200s standout feature: the way it looks. Until the covers came off this model, pick-ups had followed a tried and tested formula but the L200s designers have broken with tradition in some style. Curves are not things were used to seeing on pick-up trucks but the L200 is smothered in them. The front end, obviously Mitsubishi, is softened with rounded edges for grille and headlamps, plus oval recesses for the circular fog lights.
The rear edge of the cab arcs down and around the vehicles lower edge, while the liquid lines of the tailgate and windows are a world away from those on boxy rivals. Inside, the curvy theme is mirrored with a bulging dash featuring smoothly-penned controls and instruments. Competition is fiercer than ever in the pick-up sector and despite the all round competence of Mitsubishis L200, its unlikely to regain the position of absolute supremacy that its predecessor enjoyed. Having said that, its competitive with the best models out there in all of the key areas and at the top lifestyle-orientated end of the market where image and styling are so important, it has a distinct advantage.
A good balance between affordable workhorse models and plush range toppers will also help, as will the thousands of pick-up buyers out there who have owned L200s in the past.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CARS: Mitsubishi L200 range
PERFORMANCE: [134bhp] Max Speed 103mph / 0-60mph 14.6s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [134bhp] (combined) 32.8mpg LOAD LENGTH: Single/Club/Double 2220/1805/1325mm
