Mitsubishi L200 WARRIOR PICK-UP

Youd Think Mitsubishi Would Be Content Controlling A Share Of Over 35% In The UK Pick-Up Market. Not A Bit Of It. They Want More Sales, Higher Turnovers, Bigger Revenues. They Want Complete Domination Of The Sector And They Wont Rest Until The Competition Has Been Ground Into A Blubbering Pulp.

To Ensure Ultimate Victory, Theyre Sending The Warrior Into Battle, Grrrrrrr! Steve Walker Takes A Look

Build
Comfort
Depreciation
Economy
Equipment
Handling
Insurance
Performance
Styling
Value

As success stories go, the pick-ups is a big one. Not as practical as a genuine commercial vehicle, not as comfortable as a conventional 4x4, yet these open-backed, miniature monster-trucks have caught our imagination to the extent that sales have grown significantly over the last few years. Its predominantly the doublecab sector thats been responsible for the brunt of this growth. The appeal of these products rests in their ability to fill a number of commercial and domestic roles, while looking good and remaining affordable at the same time.

Its a tricky balancing act and nobody performs it much better than Mitsubishi with their L200 models.

The L200 Warrior, at which we will look here, is a high specification model in the L200 range and its emblematic of the reasons behind the pick-ups stupendous sales growth - it accounted for over half of all L200 sales in 2004. Firstly, it looks good, bold and stylish yet rugged and imposing as a good offroader should be. Next, in double cab form it will seat four in comfort, five if you dont mind getting friendly in the back, and finally, youve got that external load area for bags, bikes, building materials or anything else you happen to chuck in there. Its the pick-ups looks, image and versatility that make people want them and Mitsubishis L200 has got the lot.

The vehicle that was once used by cowboy builders in Australian soap operas is now an essential lifestyle accessory for young trendies with people and bulky items to move around.

"Mitsubishi are expected to limit the number of Warriors that make it onto UK roads, so exclusivity could be its trump card"

So we come to the Warrior, another in the long line of lifestyle L200 models which each give a slightly different twist on the basic design. On the surface theres not a great deal to differentiate this L200 from its stablemates and if you peer beneath the cosmetic alterations on the Warrior, theres even less. The majority of the Mitsubishi L200s that have gone before feature two-tone paintwork with metallic silver adorning the lower extremities and a more colourful hue taking over just below the line of the door handles. The Warrior doesnt go in for all this namby-pamby, contrasting colour-scheme stuff, with Mitsubishi telling us that we can have any colour we want, as long as its black or silver.

The Warrior suits this one-tone effect, with even the bumpers and the extended wheel arches falling in line, only the chrome of the wing mirrors, grille, running boards and special alloy wheels stand out on the black version and if you opt for Silver paint, theres continuity throughout. The vehicle also shares the current L200 family face with the twin sectioned grille and central Mitsubishi insignia. The Warrior comes with darkened rear windows and its own Warrior decals behind the front wheelarch. So people either automatically know which L200 youre driving, or assume that you used to star in the Gladiators TV show and youve let yourself go a bit.

Open the door, climb aboard and youll be surprised at the driving position. Comfortably firm, supportive seats sit low to the floor, so you feel like youre piloting a sports coupe on stilts rather than a truck. The inside of the Warrior differs from standard L200s by incorporating a black leather steering wheel/gear knob ensemble, a chrome dash and air-conditioning. Check out some of the other special editions in the range, however, and youll discover similar extras.

If you really want to go the whole hog in transforming your Warrior into a certified mean machine, leather trim is available as an option. This indulgence pushes the standard double cab models £16,999 (+VAT) sticker price up to £17,999 (+VAT) but it sets the vehicle off a treat especially with the menacing black paint job. Buyers wanting to pay less can opt for the £15,699 (+VAT) Club Cab model which has storage space behind the driver instead of the rear bench seat. All 4x4 L200 models are powered by the same 2.

5-litre turbocharged, intercooled, diesel engine. It has 113bhp on tap, which isnt a huge amount for a big vehicle, but with max torque of 240Nm produced at a lowly 2,000rpm, the power is available where you need it most. The Warrior is therefore, quick off the line and has plenty of useful grunt for towing/hauling weighty loads. Top speed is a surprisingly rapid 94mph.

Should you need more, a £595 power upgrade pack is offered that boosts the 113bhp to 138bhp and makes the Warrior feel altogether swifter. Visually, the Warrior looks more of a glossy urban thoroughbred than an offroad workhorse but dont be fooled. As with all the L200s, its still a genuine offroad tool. Mitsubishis Easy Select 2WD/4WD system provides the transmission, allowing the driver to direct power towards half or all of the vehicles wheel quota.

As well as standard four and two-wheel-drive modes, theres a low-range 4x4 setting for tackling particularly tricky obstacles. Easy Select works at speeds of up to 62mph, although, as any experienced (and sane) offroad driver will tell you, safe offroading should take place at considerably lower velocities. The downside to the L200s undisputed offroad pedigree is a slightly bouncy ride on the tarmac. It is, however, top of its class for ride and handling, just dont expect the same comfort and feel from a pick-up that youd get from less capable 4x4s designed predominantly for on-road use.

If you intend to take full advantage of the L200 Warriors load carrying potential, theres a limit of 1,065kg on what you can put in the back and if you fancy pulling your yacht down to the coast next Weekend, itd better weigh less than the 2,700kg maximum towing weight. While were on the subject of safety, the Warrior incorporates side impact protection, front airbags and a load-sensing braking system (LSPV) to help protect its occupants. You only have to look at the UK vehicle sales charts for a glowing recommendation of the pick-up truck and the Mitsubishi L200 outsells them all. The Warrior is a desirable addition to the range although it doesnt offer a great deal extra over the other hi-spec derivatives, past or present.

Mitsubishi are expected to limit the number of Warriors that make it onto UK roads, so exclusivity could be its trump card but whatever your reasons for choosing a Warrior, youll be getting a proven, versatile vehicle with some nice touches that set it apart from the pick-up crowd.

FACTS AT A GLANCE
CARS: Mitsubishi L200 Warrior
PRICE: £15,699 - £16,999 (excluding VAT)
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 94mph GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 2,830Kg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Front airbags, Side impact protection.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 5010/1775/1800