Mitsubishi SHOGUN FIELD SPECIAL EDITION
Mitsubishi Have Re-introduced The Field Special Edition As A Practical, No-Nonsense 4x4. Steve Ghosley Checks It Out
Mitsubishi have recognised that despite the trend for ever more-luxurious 4x4 vehicles to do the school run, there is still a significant body of motorists who need a real off roader. Something rugged and practical that will operate effectively off-road and is capable of towing a substantial load. Mindful of this, they have re-introduced the Shogun Field Special Edition that we look at here in order to appeal to this segment of the market.
Part of Mitsubishis success can be attributed to the way they have divided the 4x4 market up into small, medium and large sectors. No manufacturer can now hope to satisfy the budget-conscious, the family buyer and the luxury-led executive in one model range as the Shogun did when it was originally introduced in first generation guise. These days, three very different approaches are required, hence Mitsubishi's provision of three very different 4x4 Shogun line-ups. While the Shogun Pinin appeals to the compact, affordable
Land Rover Freelander-style market, the Shogun Sport aims to satisfy the family-sized Discovery/Landcruiser set. This leaves the real fully sized Shogun to concentrate on the role its designers always intended for it: that of a rugged go-anywhere luxury express. But this makes no allowance for the customer who wants a large 4x4 without all the fancy trimmings that road-going 4x4 users now demand. The Shogun Field Special Edition has been redefined and now offers an alternative to those users who would normally consider the Land Rover Defender as their only real option. The Shogun Field Special Edition comes in short-wheel-base or long-wheel-base form with both models sporting a five-speed manual gearbox.
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If you want automatic transmission, then this is only available in long-wheel-base format. All three versions come with the same 3.2-litre DI-D turbo diesel engine producing a maximum 158bhp. Standard on all three models is Mitsubishis Active Stability and Traction Control (MASTC), switchable two and four-wheel drive, as well as high and low ratios with lockable differentials.
All this technology ensures that however tough the going gets, the Shogun Field Special Edition will tackle most off-road obstacles with consummate ease. The three-door short-wheel-base Field with its manual gearbox retails at £22,999. The long-wheel-base five-door models start at £26,999 for the manual model rising to £28,499 for the automatic version. The exterior features include electrically adjusted and heated mirrors, fog lamps, remote central locking along with the more modest exterior styling.
Despite the deliberate Spartan look, the Field Special Edition does command a
smart set of alloy wheels. Two colours are available, namely Deep Blue Mica and Green Mica.
"the Shogun Field Special Edition will tackle most off-road obstacles with consummate ease..."
Much of the specification of this car was determined by feedback from various audience groups made up of people likely to purchase this type of vehicle. Consequently the interior is a little short of toys that would normally accompany a car of this size and class but the modern day essentials are there. Surprisingly for an agricultural type model, the Field Special Edition features half leather seats in black, which were deemed easier to clean than the fabric ones that are usually found in a vehicle of this type. Other must-haves for the out-door types seem to be air-conditioning with climate control, a sunroof and a CD/radio along with a traditional wood-effect dash panel.
With regard to safety, the Shogun Field Special Edition is up there with the best of them featuring dual front airbags, twin front side airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), along with the
Mitsubishi Active Stability and Traction Control system (MASTC). Many Shogun Field models will be purchased for their prodigious towing ability, be it to take care of a boat, a caravan or a farm trailer. The long-wheel-base version can lug up to 3.3 tonnes and pack in a copious 1,700 litre of cargo.
The smaller three-door version is no less able in hauling 2.8 tonnes and having 1293-litres of load space. If and when you get to go off road, you'll have to work hard to get stuck, thanks to the Super Select four-wheel drive system - though unlike many rivals, it won't give you permanent all-wheel drive. Instead, you've to use an electronically controlled transfer lever to switch from 2WD at speeds of up to 62mph. That takes you into high-range 4WD, a mode that varies power to the front and rear depending on grip. You deal with trickier situations by shifting down to low range and locking the viscous coupling unit. Thus set, you can tackle almost anything.
The Field approach looks like a clever move by Mitsubishi to create a car for a specific purpose rather than adopt the one-size-fits-all approach. Challenging the dominance of the
Land Rover Defender in this market is no bad thing. With Mitsubishis rock-solid build quality, the Shogun Field Special Edition certainly looks the part and is definitely up to the job as a rugged off-roader. The three diamonds have an established reputation in the UK for building dependable vehicles, so expect to see the Shogun Field Special Edition make a few dents in future Defender sales.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Mitsubishi Shogun Field Special Edition
PRICES: £22,999-£28,499 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 16A
CO2 EMISSIONS: 251g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 106mph / 0-60mph 12.0s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 23.2mpg / (extra urban) 35.8mpg / (combined) 29.7mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm [5dr] 4975/1875/1885mm
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