Mitsubishi SHOGUN PININ VAN RANGE
Mitsubishis Shogun Pinin Van Aims To Inject A Little Fun Into The Urban Grind. Jonathan Crouch Thinks Small Operators Might Quite Like It
Buy a small, affordable van and you dont expect it to have four-wheel drive or to have been styled by the people who create Ferraris. Enter the light commercial version of Mitsubishis Shogun Pinin.
Styled by Pininfarina hence the name it aims to offer something different to the small business operator looking for a compact carry-all. With Mitsubishis reputation for reliability, versatility and durability, the importers hope that the van will be a hit with a large number of these types of people anybody from florists and electricians to painters and decorators, express parcel delivery and couriers. Mind you, they would need to want something pretty compact. The Shogun Pinin van is available in versions derived from the three-door or five-door models of the base car but it still cant offer the kind of payload capacities youd expect from a conventional small van.
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The load area in the 3-door has only 987 litres (34.8 cu. ft) of space and is able to carry a modest 425kg in weight. Additional load capacity depends on you being able to tow a trailer carrying up to 1,500kg (3,307lbs).
The five-door fairs slightly better with a 1,770 litre capacity (62 cu. ft) and a 500kg weight limit. Having said that, something small, nimble and manoeuvrable could be just what todays small, nimble and manoeuvrable companies want. Demand for this type of vehicle has increased recently, with more people buying goods over the internet, creating a new market for a trendy delivery van.
And its affordable: on the road prices (excluding VAT) start at £10,995.
"Should you ever get out of the city and want to experiment with the all-wheel drive system, you should find the little
Mitsubishi more than able when it comes to grip in the glop."
The vehicles key attractions are the same as those of the car version of this design. Namely, the selectable high tech SS4-i 4WD system, MPI/GDi petrol engine technology (theres no diesel option) and what the importers call stylish, urban good looks - giving tradesmen and small businesses style and practicality without compromise. Certainly, the Shogun Pinin van should suit the urban environment: its 9.8 metre turning circle (10.4m for the longer 5-door) makes it practical for the narrowest of streets and easy to park for loading and unloading. Both manual and automatic models come fitted with either the 1.
8 MPI or the 2.0-litre GDi petrol engines - although the larger of the two can only be specified in 5-door derivatives. The first unit produces 113bhp at 5,500rpm and 118 lb ft torque at 4,000rpm, while the more muscular GDi provides 127bhp at 5,000rpm and 140 lb/ft at 3,500rpm. Both engines are compliant with phase three of the European emission regulations.
Should you ever get out of the city and want to experiment with the all-wheel drive system, you should find the little Mitsubishi more than able when it comes to grip in the glop. The car version is arguably the most accomplished model in its class when conditions get rough, thanks to a gearbox that allows power to be shifted from rear to four-wheel drive at speeds of up to 62mph. Should things get truly tricky, there are also high and low gear ratios, with a centre lockable viscous coupling along with a rear axle limited slip differential. As a result, this van will
ford a river, find its way through a boggy forest - or indeed scale the up-ramp at your local multi-storey carpark.
Mitsubishi has designed it to do all three but knows that on-road performance is all that will really matter to most customers. Hence the provision of the pokey 2.0-litre GDi (GDi stands for Gasoline Direct Injection) engine we mentioned earlier is capable of startlingly good on-road performance as well tackling the rough stuff. Though barn-door aerodynamics limit the top speed to 106mph, rest to 62mph takes just 10.
8s - which is almost as quick as some hot hatchbacks. This model was designed precisely for its intended European market, which is why the Japanese enlisted the help of Pininfarina in the first place. The Italians not only styled this vehicle but are now producing both car and van versions in their own plant at the rate of 35,000 units a year. Not that there's too much evidence of this association: the styling is chunky,
smart but ultimately sensible. Perhaps the Orientals had the final say. Nevertheless, many customers in the light commercial sector will like it, particularly if they're coming out of more mundane fare. Moreover, after experience of many rival vans, the suspension of the Pinin will be a revelation, smoothing out all but the nastiest surfaces just like a family hatchback. Only the extra bodyroll (and slightly greater wind and engine noise) reminds you that you're in a 4x4. Inside, there's nothing particularly remarkable about the dash layout, which is clear but plasticky. Since this van is just 3735mm long and 1695mm wide, you shouldn't be expecting too much in terms of front passenger space. Still, supportive seats mean that this vehicle should be surprisingly comfortable on longer journeys, even if the driver has to do without the adjustable steering wheel that would have bought complete comfort. As with all Mitsubishi commercial vehicles, the Shogun Pinin van comes with a three-year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty, a six-year Anti-Corrosion Perforation Warranty and three-Year Pan European Recovery Service. Add to that the likely strong resale values and the Shogun Pinin van should find a ready market in the UK.
If you decide to buy one, why not buck the trend, take it off road and actually put its Shogun heritage to the test. But then again, maybe not Better perhaps to stick to your local multi-storey...
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin van range
PRICES: £10,995 £13,995 on the road
PERFORMANCE: (2.0 GDi) 0-62mph 10.8s / Max Speed 106mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (2.0 GDi) (extra urban) 35.3mpg WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE: (length/width/height) 3735/1695/1695mm
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