Mitsubishi L200 2018 first drive

Because the UK won't get the new-look L200 until the summer of 2019, with Mitsubishi gradually rolling it out across global markets, final specifications and pricing for Britain have yet to be finalied. It has just gone on sale in Thailand, where it is also produced, and it was a Thai-spec version that we tested on a route that included city, motorway and country driving, along with an off-road course.

The new L200 model features the same turbocharged 2.4-litre diesel engine as the previous model, and that is likely to remain in the new UK version, mated to the same six-speed manual gearbox. That said, differing regulations mean the performance could well differ.

Alongside the manual, a new six-speed automatic will also be offered – and was on a test truck that we used briefly to sample an off-road course.

That engine produces 178bhp at 3500rpm, which is enough both to cruise comfortably on the motorway, and ensure plenty of low-down pulling power in tougher conditions. The diesel engine is somewhat on the gruff side, and it certainly isn’t quiet, but given this is, ultimate, designed and built as a commercial vehicle core buyers likely won’t mind that as a trade-off for its useful power and torque.

As with the pre-facelift L200, the ride is exactly what you’d expect from a one-tonne pick-up. Mitsubishi says it has done work on the car’s damping and suspension to smooth things out, but the combination of a solid chassis and live rear axle means that things can get bouncy. But on an average road you won’t notice too much, and you’ll be grateful for that extra give when you either load the L200 to capacity or take to rougher surfaces.

The drive modes on the four-wheel-drive drivetrain have also been revamped, with the addition of gravel, snow, sand and rock that vary how power is needed to optimise performance. We weren’t able to test them all, but can attest that the L200 can tackle an off-road obstacle course and a tropical Thai forest trail with aplomb – information that is, admittedly, of limited use to British commercial vehicle buyers.

What they’ll want to know about is the L200’s dimensions and specs. And this is where nothing has been changed from the previous model: in fact, Mitsubishi notes the load bay accessories – such as a cover – made for the current L200 will fit the new version.