Test drive Mitsubishi L200
Test Drive

Test drive Mitsubishi L200

Along with the bright external special effects, the Japanese SUV pickup has a lot of other interesting news.

Georgia. Making my way in a large pickup truck through a street crush in Tbilisi, I remember the words of a truck driver from the movie "Mimino". "These" Zhiguli "what they think, I do not know! Spinning, spinning, spinning under your feet! " Today, more and more right-hand drive cars are turning in the capital and in the country in general - you can study the variety of original Japanese design.

At first, the design of the current fifth generation Mitsubishi L200 did not work out: the front part was designed as if in a hurry, it came out clumsy. The car was announced by the spectacular GR-HEV concept, but it was created after the controversial production appearance was approved. Now the L200 has been transformed so that it is just right to take it for a completely new one. The techno-style of the concept is implemented and played perfectly - literally.

Test drive Mitsubishi L200

Behind the striking appearance lies an increase in rigidity: the updated L200 has more high-strength steels, the frame is 7% stronger, the cab, elements in the area of ​​the engine compartment and the joints of the cargo platform are reinforced. An improved sealant treatment is also declared, which should increase the anti-corrosion resistance of the entire structure.

The choice of wheels has changed. Cast 16- and 17-inch wheels of the past - only 16-inch steel or 18-inch alloy wheels are available. This had a beneficial effect on the geometric cross-country ability. With the new maximum wheels, the clearance under the rear axle housing is increased by 20 mm to 220 - respectively, the angles of entry and exit are slightly larger.

Test drive Mitsubishi L200

The cab is still, by all means, double: the company believes that one and a half will not find demand in us, and among its direct competitors, the "one and a half" in Russia is offered by one Isuzu D-Max. The footpegs of the L200 are in the top-equipment package, and without them, getting into the salon is physical education: the thresholds are at a height of about 60 cm. Therefore, I am glad that with the update, handrails appeared on the central pillars.

The view from the top is good, the side mirrors are wide. In this generation, the L200 received a rear-view camera, which is so useful for a pickup truck, but for the time being it was not in Russia. Wait - from now on cameras in the two top versions with automatic transmission. It doesn't matter that the trajectory clues are stationary. The main thing is that you see the space behind the massive stern - it helps a lot.

Test drive Mitsubishi L200

There is less gloss on the tunnel, but it is left on the doors and quickly gets smudged. A plug to the left of the steering wheel in place of the start button, which we do not offer.

The interior has been refined with soft trim pieces. Added rain sensor and heated steering wheel. Climate control is now dual-zone, and air conditioning began to be installed as standard. The absence in Russia of new security systems that the L200 has acquired in other markets is understandable - expensive options. But the fact that there are no electric drives for glasses and mirrors in the database is a strange parsimony.

From the first kilometers, I note that the cabin has become quieter - this is the effect of improved sound insulation. And to improve the ride and handling, new springs and rear shock absorbers are installed. The news is interesting, because in comparison with the fourth generation, the current L200 generally has much less vibrations, and it drives more obediently in every way. Will it surprise you with the new suspension?

Test drive Mitsubishi L200

Yes, I was surprised: he gave us a sickly shake-up. The organizers of the presentation decided to put on test pickups with 18-inch wheels the toothed BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires, with which “different-sized” vibrations were reported even on flat roads. And on the battered paths of the province, the empty car shook so much that a colleague sitting in the second row demanded to buy him a churchkhela for harm. As a result, all the benefits from the modifications to the suspension were scattered among the Georgian bumps. Download all these updates, ride under the weight ...

But with such tires it is calmer on the road. Here is a mountainous area where many of the tourists who have arrived here at the wheel pass. An avalanche descended, a bulldozer somehow broke through a corridor in the snow hills, here a hole in a half-wheel, here a hump, and everything is frozen over. For the L200, with its huge suspension travels, these thorns are not a problem - you switch to a lower one and drive like on a country lane.

Test drive Mitsubishi L200

All-wheel drive systems without news: a choice of basic plug-in Easy Select or advanced Super Select with a Torsen center differential and the ability to activate 4WD at speeds up to 100 km / h. In addition, all L200s have a rear axle differential lock and a hill start assist system.

The engines for Russia are the same - supercharged 4-cylinder diesels 4N15 2.4 with a capacity of 154 or 181 horsepower. Why hasn't the capacity been reduced to taxable? They explain that the unique settings are not justified by the Russian editions of the pickup. The three initial versions (one with Super Select) are equipped with the MKP6. And two top versions with automatic transmission got a new thing - the previous 5-speed gearbox was replaced with a 6-speed one from Aisin.

Test drive Mitsubishi L200

First, they steered in a 154-horsepower car with a manual gearbox. The active zone of the diesel engine is not wide, from the very depths it pulls not too willingly, so you have to often change the steps. Here, it seems, will pull, but no - again asks to lower the gear. When you go uphill along the Georgian military road, you begin to pay more attention to the turbopause, sometimes the engine freezes. However, finding a common language with such a power unit is a matter of habit. And the average consumption of diesel fuel by the onboard computer as a result amounted to 12 l / 100 km.

A pickup with a more powerful diesel and automatic transmission is expectedly more energetic and more comfortable - different forces and recoil. And the turbine is different - with variable geometry. The boost feels more efficient, and the gearbox shifts quickly, quickly and smoothly. The manual mode is fair, which is also convenient for an SUV. And the average consumption in the plains per liter is less than that of the version with manual gearbox.

Test drive Mitsubishi L200

Finally, another innovation: the front brakes on the 18-inch versions feature larger ventilated discs (320 mm) and twin-piston calipers. If you're driving empty, no questions asked about the brakes.

Mitsubishi L200 has risen in price by $ 1 at current prices - from $ 949 to $ 26. The most affordable version with a Super Select drive costs $ 885, and for the most affordable one with automatic transmission, they will ask for $ 35.

An interesting alternative is an almost exact copy of the fifth L200, which has not yet been updated. We are talking about Fiat Fullback in four versions with MKP6 and five with AKP5 ($ 22 - $ 207). The main competitor remains the Toyota Hilux pickup with 31 and 694 liter diesel engines in combination with MKP2,4 and AKP2,8 ($ 6 - $ 6).

A typePickup
Dimensions (length / width / height), mm5225/1815/1795
Wheelbase, mm3000
Curb weight, kg1860 – 1930 Feet
Gross vehicle weight, kg2850
engine's typeDiesel, R4, turbo
Working volume, cubic meters cm2442
Power, hp with. at rpm154 (181) at 3500
Max. torque, Nm at rpm380 (430) at 1500 (2500)
Transmission, driveMKP6 / AKP6, plug-in or permanent full
Maximum speed km / h169 173-(177)
Acceleration to 100 km / h, fromn. d.
Fuel consumption (mixture), ln. d.
Price from, $.$ 26 ($ 885)
 

 

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