The Mitsubishi L200 At first glance, it's an interesting mix of a pack donkey and a mountain goat. What you do not want to look at in the animal kingdom as a result of crossing brings the Japanese all-wheel specialist Mitsubishi successful on our roads.
And because this is not only the opinion of the tester and writer of this report, the Mitsubishi L200 is also the current number 3 in Mitsubishi’s approval for the German market. But no matter whether packhorse or mountain goat in the first place - to get ahead properly you need a strong drive. And since the last facelift, Mitsubishi has now also offered this in the L200.
With 178PS and 400Nm, is provided by an 4 cylinder diesel in the company of distinct vociferous commercial vehicle nails, always sufficient power available.
Despite the four-valve technology in the cylinder head, direct injection and the turbocharger with charge air cooling, the long-stroke power diesel is not a miracle of performance - however, it can be assumed that this engine works well below its load limit and will therefore impress with its durability.
The engine sound of the most powerful drive that Mitsubishi offers for the L200 is in this case - as already mentioned - above all a familiar sounding commercial vehicle nailing. However, this engine sound is not annoying, but precisely because it sounds so honestly, like a powerful diesel, in connection with the clearly audible turbocharger whistling, an acoustic confirmation of the character of the off-road pickup.
The automatic version I drive provides “only” 350 Nm to protect the drive train, instead of 400 Nm in the manually operated version. For this purpose, these 350 Nm are available over a broader usable speed range. Whether 350 or 400 Nm, the work of the diesel is always accompanied by a clearly audible turbocharger whistle. And so the working noise of the engine and the classic 5-speed automatic converter come together in a combination that perfectly describes the character of the L200.
Classic. Active. Reliable.
In the driven variant with the “double cabin”, the loading platform with about 1,50mx 1,50m is still large enough to load the permissible payload of 850kg in the form of a load packed on Euro pallets using a forklift. In order to be able to load the flatbed quickly and easily with a forklift truck, the tailgate can be unhooked at its fastening points and thus opened downwards at almost a 180 ° angle. Alternatively, the tailgate, which is laid flat, forms an extension of the loading area in order to transport longer objects such as pipes from A to B.
Which is the keyword for the off-road pickup.
That for the transport task between A and B not necessarily just tarred asphalt band must take over the connection, this is ensured by the permanent all-wheel drive in cooperation with the ground clearance of about 20 cm.
Under the loading surface of the pickup, a rigid axle provides the necessary entanglement in the terrain and thus for ground contact of the 17 inch large wheels even in rough country lanes and in complete absence of roads and roads.
Of course, the long overhang at the rear and the mounted trailer hitch is not really conducive to fully utilize the axle articulation in the hardest terrain without ground contact. But those who have to master the toughest long-distance expeditions with their L200, will probably do without the double cabin and instead choose 30cm more cargo space length and a larger rear slope angle. (Or grab a Unimog?) For 99% of our latitude applications, the L200 meets all the demands made on it, its transport and off-road capabilities. I was not able to really cross the boundaries of the L200.
So power is there. Talent for rough terrain sections as well.
What about road performance and fuel consumption?
The fact that the two are not perfect can be as clear as the sky over the Gobi desert. And yet the L200 tries the balancing act between off-roader, commercial vehicle and passenger transporter.
The rigid axle with leaf springs used on the rear axle is perfect off-road and for high payloads - but unfortunately counterproductive for comfort on level motorways at travel speed.
And so the rear axle bumps, especially in the unloaded state cheerfully over transverse joints and offset on speedily taken country road curves also like times. However, this gives the driver and fellow travelers no reason to worry. (At best a good argument but still quickly get 200kg bark mulch in the hardware store.)
This type of messages of the landing gear on the road condition are more of a comfort shortcoming than a driving dynamics problem. Mitsubishi's L200 is a reliable partner in its active driving safety despite these comfort limitations. Sneaky reactions to steering commands are far from him.
The subjective impression on a level and dry road is always characterized by safety and reliability.
A little caution is required in the rain and without loading. Because even with the really good four-wheel drive loses the rear under load (we think together once the 350 Nm) combined with curves, like the side adhesion briefly and calls for the standard traction control system to work. With a little load on the big bunk it looks different again. There was no ESP intervention during the trial period.
Noted at this point is the extensive safety equipment that not only delivers the ESP in series, but also 6 airbags. One must therefore not only subjective, by the high seating position safe as in Abraham's lap on the remaining traffic expect, but also objectively. In the NCAP crash test, the Mitsubishi then also delivers an 4 star score for the safety of the occupants. In the PickUp class, the L200 is even among the top models, which z.Bsp. the accident safety in simulated side impact concerns.
Modern turbo diesel engines are on their own, food scavengers.
In the environment of 2 to. Curb weight, four-wheel drive, automatic and off-road transporter genes, however, the sparing use of fuel becomes a challenge. In test consumption I was with the L200 still just below the magic 10l on 100km limit. Mitsubishi states in the EU measurement method a combined consumption of 9,4 l for the combination of large diesel and automatic transmission. Overland or on highway tours with cruise control use, however, a consumption of 8l / 100km is possible. However, it is also clear. Those who like to stay connected to the column of representative mid-range station wagons on longer motorway routes and take advantage of the top speed of 175 km / h (speedometer downhill with tailwind and homesickness also beyond the scale), manage to reduce the consumption of the L200 as well via 13l on 100km rise.
But back to the initial question: Is the Mitsubishi L200 more of a pack donkey or a mountain goat?
Neither. The L200 is like a good friend - reliable, resilient and helpful in almost all situations. One of the kind you like to have around. Especially when it comes to fulfilling big tasks.
No matter if as a buddy for the free time, for pulling boats, motorcycle and horse trailers. Or as a colleague at work with loads and rough tasks. You can count on the L200 and its abilities.
The large diesel engine is only supplied in conjunction with the permanent all-wheel drive baptized “SuperSelect 4WD” and the top “Intense” equipment and costs € 31.190. The model I drove had the 5-speed automatic at € 1.800 on board and was also equipped with the € 2.000 “premium package”. The premium package provides leather seats (replica), heated seats in the first row and an electrically adjustable driver's seat. Also only available in the Intense version: the electrically retractable rear window.
In the end - thanks to the metallic paint for € 610 and the diesel particle filter for € 650 in total: € 36.250 on the bill. Compared to the basic model with 128 hp, single cabin and rear-wheel drive for € 18.990, this is of course a house number and only just under 100% surcharge. On the other hand, the version of the I tested Mitsubishi L200 but also an off-road utility vehicle with the ability to master the balancing act between everyday work environment in the harsh artisan trade - and a vacation trip with the family and caravan across the continent.