Barbarian proves a very Special Vehicle
THE LIMITED EDITION SPECIAL VEHICLES PROJECT VERSION OF MITSUBISHI’S POPULAR L200 BARBARIAN IS AVAILABLE NOW AT PREMIER MITSUBISHI IN HYDE AND ROCHDALE... MOTOR manufacturers aren’t typically slow to shout about how their new products are stylish, groundbreaking and irresistible.
But it takes some brass to claim one of your models offers a driving experience that’s a generation ahead of the opposition.
That’s the case with Mitsubishi and its L200 pick-up – a vehicle that is, to be fair, no stranger to scooping up awards.
And now the company has launched its Special Vehicles Projects (SVP) programme with the debut of the L200 Barbarian SVP, unveiled at the 2017 Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham in April.
Designed to provide Mitsubishi customers with exclusive, highlydistinctive vehicles, SVP models will be produced in small volumes with significant appearance changes and specific colour options.
Inspired by the one-off L200 Desert Warrior ‘Pre-Runner’, the Barbarian SVP will be limited to a production run of 250, with half available in Electric Blue metallic and the other half in Cosmos Black.
Power is provided by Mitsubishi’s 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine, which produces 180bhp and 430Nm of torque, while the rotary-dial controlled Super Select 4WD system can be combined with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel paddle shifters.
As you’d expect from the Japanese manufacturer, it’s a beauty – both to look at and drive. After all, pick-up trucks are Mitsubishi’s bread and butter, with six decades of production and sales of more than 4.1 million behind them.
Rugged and durable, the L200 is the only vehicle of its type that can be driven permanently in 2WD or 4WD on tarmac and off-road.
These days the pick-up scene is inhabited by a wealth of models that boast refinement, upmarket technology, value for money and reasonable fuel economy - but the L200 lifts the bar another notch.
You get all the creature comforts of an executive saloon in the Barbarian, plus durable seats, climate control, a touchscreen entertainment set-up, a high quality sound system and reversing camera.
The driving position is raised and offers terrific visibility, the steering is adjustable for reach and rake, while a revised suspension - including six shock-absorbing body mounts - has helped make the Mitsubishi more comfortable and quiet as well.
There’s no escaping the fact that this is a big vehicle and doesn’t handle like a go-kart, but it’s smooth, rides really well and has a terrific engine producing 151bhp.
The upshot is lively performance with acceptable acceleration via the six-speed manual transmission and the bonus of an official average fuel return of 40.9mpg.
And if you want to venture off-road the L200’s four-wheel drive transmission can be engaged with a twist of a rotary control while a low-range function allows for more serious mud-plugging.
As for shifting stuff - family paraphernalia or commercial hardware - well the overall volume of the cargo bed is bigger than before with a combined carrying and towing capacity of 4.1 tonnes. For more information or to book a test drive, contact Premier Mitsubishi Clarkway, Hyde, SK14 2AU; 0161 393 6240 or Water Street, Rochdale, OL16 1TL; 01706 718029.