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Double vision
Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab Elegance
2.5 DI-D Automatic
Never has the humble pick-up looked more attractive and appealed to more road users than it does today, and in particular Mitsubishi’s new Paris-Dakaresque L200 range, with its sculptured bodywork and chrome trimmings.
I think it’s fair to say last year the pick-up market expanded faster than Britney Spears’ waistline. Between 1998 and 2005 the market grew 349 per cent. And with 12,000 L200 sales in 2006, Mitsubishi is at the forefront of the ‘utility’ revolution.
Years ago you had a choice of cold, unwelcoming vans, which smelled of their cargo, had no radio and were dead slow. I am delighted to say things have moved on. Vans these days have all the luxury and creature comforts of most family cars. So, what is the benefit of having a pick-up?
Practicality, longevity and low running costs have always been primary factors. And now looks and comfort are scoring highly on the ‘must have’ scale. And business users can still benefit from a tax break that many company car drivers won’t enjoy in their similarly priced Mondeo estate – even when the rules change in April 2007.
Mitsubishi is a stalwart of the commercial scene. Its pick-ups are utilised around the world. The open cargo bed is ideal for carrying a multitude of things, from sheepdogs to sheepskin coats, from fine foods to flat-pack furniture and pretty much everything else in between. And, they can be fitted with an optional Truckman top, which fixes to the cargo bed and gives better security and protection, as it is weatherproof with a lockable rear door.
I have been using Mitsubishi’s range-topping L200 Double Cab in Elegance trim. It comes (as they all do) with a 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine. The great thing about this range of pick-ups is that you can choose a style that suits you, whether it is a single cab, club cab (two-door with rear jump seats) or double cab (four-door and four seat). Then choose your specification and extras.
The 4Work range is rugged and utilitarian and is designed with no-nonsense business users in mind. These workhorses will probably see lots of off-road action and might rarely be treated to a bucket-and-sponge rub down.
4Life models are more recreational but with added style and comfort. They will be just as at home carrying surfing gear and quad bikes, as humping bales of hay around on the farm. Owners of a higher specified model, Warrior, Animal and Elegance, will be treated to the same creature comforts that you come to expect from your luxury Subs, such as climate control, leather interior and DVD entertainment system for the rear passengers.
I’m convinced that these are the favourite variants because they double-up as a vehicle for the whole family to make use of come the weekend.
Smaller than many of the competing pick-ups, the L200 range offers agility and versatility around UK towns and villages. I was impressed with the turning circle, which was a bugbear on the old pre-March models.
The steering was a bit woolly though, and I felt like I was driving a bus around corners. It was as if the elastic band was a bit loose and took a while to spring back.
The cabin still has an element of agriculture or ‘industry’ about it. Hardwearing plastics and fabrics abound. Over-sized knobs and handles and a large steering wheel remind you that this is not your average family car. The interior ruggedness is sure to appeal to the younger sporty types, who’ve plumped for the Animal or Warrior to back-up their surfing/cycling/extreme sporting credentials.
It is very spacious, too. Large rear doors make entry easy and there is plenty of legroom all round. In fact the cabin makes the L200 the perfect SUV ‘crossover’.
The comfortable leather seats and DVD satellite navigation of the Elegance model add a luxury dimension to a wagon that is capable of wading through water, plugging through mud and negotiating pretty much any terrain it encounters.
Super-select four-wheel drive with stability and traction control ensure that the L200 remains safely planted on the road at all times. And when off-road there is plenty of ground clearance to ensure the underside remains undamaged and the big wheels will keep you out of trouble.
Style and practicality have never been so important and the L200 range of pick-ups ticks all the boxes then carries them all safely, too.
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