The Mitsubishi L200 2.2 DI-D automatic 4WD at a glance
Under the radar of the SUV opponents
Sometimes it is interesting to see how people let themselves be dazzled. SUVs are encountered across the board, but many pick-ups run under the radar of an overweight private car.
If I’ve been eyed askew at the opulence of a Mercedes GLS on some private streets, the trendy off-road look of the Mitsubishi L200 looks more like the work tool of a landscape gardener (combined fuel consumption: 7.6 l / 100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 200 g / km²).
With the L200 you can park almost anywhere
So it doesn’t bother anyone if I park on the sidewalk with the 5.31 meter stretch as long as the hazard warning lights are on and it looks a bit like work.
In the meantime, hardly anyone notices the all-terrain replacement tire mounted on the flatbed, just as little as the starting aids for sandy terrain that are set up above. They announce that this is not just a piece of work equipment, but also a fun piece of equipment.
Mitsubishi offers a wide range of accessories
Mitsubishi Germany uses various themes to show how flexibly the L200 can be configured. Campers, hunters and craftsmen are picked up as well as the ambitious off-road fan. Conversions worth over 17,000 euros (excluding assembly costs) make the L200 a true all-purpose weapon off the beaten track in the case of our test vehicle.
The chassis, which is 45 millimeters higher, provides more ground clearance, and the optional underride guard keeps coarse rock away from the oil sump and tank. 18 inch AT tires from Falken hold up in the field, but on tarred paths they tend to make unpleasant background noises.
Overall, the day-to-day driving comfort has not necessarily been increased by the modifications. But you (hopefully) know about that fact before you decide on such an off-road platform.
Carrier, but frugal diesel
With the aforementioned accessories, the comfortable speed on the motorway is somewhere around 120 kilometers per hour, the maximum 171 km / h according to the factory you don’t have to try out. The 2.3 liter four-cylinder diesel then fits the leisurely pace. It delivers 110 kW / 150 PS and lifts 400 Newton meters. The maximum torque is available in a fairly small window between 1,750 and 2,250 revolutions, which is not particularly beneficial for the agility of the L200.
After all: With a forward-looking driving style, consumption quickly levels off in the range of less than nine liters per 100 kilometers, which is certainly justifiable for the coarse-engine diesel engine and the moving weight of a good 2.3 tons.
The hour of the L200 strikes in the field
On the other hand, the robust sounding turbodiesel turns out to be a willing companion off-road, which harmonizes very well with the six-stage converter transmission. The fact that the automatic needs more than a second to shift into another gear is only a problem for sports drivers. However, those who have to ask themselves whether they have chosen the wrong pick-up with the Mitsubishi L200.
Approach angles of 30 ° at the front, 22 ° at the rear and a tilt angle of 45 ° enable the L200 to theoretically master even rough terrain passages. In practice, however, the TJM winch mounted on the test vehicle turns out to be a limiting factor – at least as far as the approach angle is concerned.
The recovery part is built too deep, the hook is constantly being pulled through the dirt in the truest sense of the word. It is hardly surprising that in the heat of the moment the safety flap is wiped open after only a short time.
All-wheel drive by professionals for professionals
The L200, on the other hand, arouses enthusiasm with its switchable all-wheel drive. The “Super Select 4WD-II” (from equipment variant PLUS) does a remarkable job and offers, in addition to a lockable center differential and an off-road reduction, a rear axle differential that can be locked 100 percent at the push of a button.
If the Mitsubishi pick-up weren’t so confusing, it would pass as a full-fledged mountain goat. Various driving modes, its own off-road traction control and a hill descent aid complete the all-wheel drive capabilities of the Japanese.
A loadmaster before the gentleman
Since a flatbed truck is mostly used less for scrambling and more for transporting goods, a few more key data on loading capacity: the loading area of the double cab is 152 by 147 centimeters. Up to one ton can be loaded and another up to 3.1 tons can be hooked.
With such trailer loads, it is important to keep a close eye on your own driver’s license class and the 150 hp of the turbo diesel will also come to its limit more clearly when fully loaded.
Top processing, lean infotainment
Meanwhile, the commercial vehicle character of the L200 sets noticeable limits in the interior. The Mitsubishi is hardly suitable for traveling with the whole family including four-legged friends, the leg room in the second row is more than limited. In addition, there is the almost vertical backrest of the back seat, which makes comfortable sitting a challenge.
In terms of material processing, the L200 surprises with its quality. Even in the roughest terrain, nothing rattled, the hard plastic interior looks like it has been designed to last. Mitsubishi is stingy when it comes to infotainment, but at least the head unit has an interface to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Conclusion
Bunk good, all good! The Mitsubishi L200 is a real workhorse that mutates into a suitable off-roader with appropriate modifications. Then the Biedermeier almost becomes a lifestyler, although the Ford Ranger occupies this niche better. Long-distance comfort is particularly sought after as a higher off-road variant, however. A willingness to compromise is required here. Incidentally, the conversions can all be commissioned from authorized Mitsubishi partners. (Text and image: Thomas Vogelhuber)
