Mitsubishi L200
Revamped pick-up goes on sales in UK with raft of upgrades to add comfort and practicality
The revamped Mitsubishi L200 pick-up truck has gone on sale in the UK, with prices starting from £25,755 for private buyers. The firm says it has made more than 2400 changes from the previous version.
The heavily facelifted update of the fifth-generation pick-up was launched in Thailand last year and features a revamped design that includes the latest version of the Japanese firm’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ grille.
The new L200 is powered by a 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that produces 148bhp and 295lb ft of torque. It offers a top speed of 108mph, a maximum payload of 1080kg and a towing capacity of up to 3500kg.
Mitsubishi L200 pick-up 2019 review
The four-wheel-drive machine comes with a choice of manual and automatic six-speed gearboxes and has a WLTP-certified fuel economy of between 29.1mpg and 32.1mpg.
The entry-level 4Life Club cab models, which start from £21,515 for commercial buyers, feature 16in steel wheels, keyless entry, air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity. The 4Life trim is also available with the larger double cab, starting from £27,195 (£22,715 for commercial buyers).
Higher-level trims are available with the double cab only. Warrior trim starts from £31,617 (£26,400 commercial) and adds 18in alloy wheels, LED headlights and running lights, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, a reversing camera, infotainment touchscreen and lane departure warning.
Barbarian trim, costing from £35,097 (£29,300 commercial) includes hill descent control, an off-road mode, heated front seats, mood lighting and rear USB ports.
The range-topping Barbarian X spec is available with an automatic ’box only and starts from £38,577 (£32,200). It adds a 360deg camera, blindspot warning, rear cross traffic alert, LED foglights, parking sensors, a heated steering wheel and Barbarian X decals.
The revamped version of the L200 was unveiled just three years into its life cycle, to mark the 40th anniversary of the model. It went on sale in Thailand and other Asian markets – where it is known as the Triton – last year and is being rolled out to 150 countries worldwide.
The revised L200 is one of 11 new or refreshed models Mitsubishi will launch by the end of 2020 as part of its ‘Drive for Growth’ strategy, which follows its acquisition by Nissan to become part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.
Mitsubishi COO Trevor Mann said the changes to the L200 are “significant” and far exceed a regular mid-life update, adding that they are designed to “reinforce what this car should be”. He added that the relatively early update “made sense” because the company could identify opportunities to improve it.
The revisions include a new design that features the brand’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ grille at the front, along with revised headlights to give it more road presence. There are also extended wheel flares, new accents and revised bumpers and rear lights, and a revamped interior.
A quick (and wobbly) video tour of the new Mitsubishi L200 pick-up. Story here: https://t.co/jHYUCHzjE5 pic.twitter.com/Xfb2kCrUoM
— Autocar (@autocar) November 9, 2018
The more angular styling has been designed to appeal to both business and private buyers and is intended to reflect Mitsubishi’s ‘Engineered Beyond Tough’ slogan.
The L200 features two different four-wheel drive systems and a number of new drive modes. These include new off-road drive settings for gravel, snow, sand and rock that help to regulate engine power, transmission and braking to reduce wheel slip. A hill descent control system has also been added.
As well as a range of driver assistance features mentioned previously, Mitsubishi cites a number of smaller ‘detail’ changes, including larger front brake discs and calipers, and larger rear dampers.
The L200 is one of Mitsubishi’s best-selling vehicles in the UK, rivalling the Outlander PHEV, and is increasingly popular among private buyers.
The L200 will continue to be produced exclusively at Mitsubishi Motor’s Thailand facility in Laem Chabang, south of Bangkok.
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Source: Autocar
