Mitsubishi L200 test drive since 2006 pickup
Ton of taste
A plain car can be bright. Proof of the new Mitsubishi L200 pickup is just such a carrying capacity. Here is a paradoxical pickup car, which is not intended for America, a country where out of 12 million annually produced cars 7 million 200 falls on small commercial transport!
The L200 of the first generation was launched back in 1978, and a year later he received the title of pickup of the year in the United States. In 1991, the L200 of the second generation appeared. It was then that in this model there was a turn from pure utilitarianism in the direction of the concept of a car for an active lifestyle. The appearance of the third generation L200 was marked by another important step: Mitsubishi decided to transfer production to Thailand, which could not but affect the price reduction.
It became clear that the Lifestail orientation of this model would be more to Europeans than the Americans with their views on the pickup as a workhorse. Gradually, the car received the status of the most popular pickup outside the United States. And therefore, the fourth -generation L200, the world's debut of which took place in Thailand on August 25, 2005, was intended for 140 countries, but not for the United States, where Mitsubishi Raider turned on a poured Dodge Dakota. In Europe, 340 thousand L200 pickups were sold, which is 48% of the European retail market among pickups. Sales of a new generation in Europe started on March 1, 2006. So the debut in Russia, scheduled for 2007, can be called long -awaited. For Europe
This car in Mitsubishi is called European. But the essence of the L200 is not only in this definition. This is, perhaps, the most successful attempt to move the very concept of pickups from
category of commercial transport in a passenger. The new L200 is not intended for merchants, small construction companies or farmers, but for ordinary buyers who can now choose not only between sedans, SUVs, hatchbacks, crossovers and station wagons, but also consider the possibility of acquiring a car with a body of pickups. The process of turning the workhorse into a civilized vehicle into Mitsubishi was called Europeanization. This process included several components. The first of them is the appearance that can support and develop fashionable for pickups in Europe. It is no secret that most of the potential buyers of L200 townspeople, and the ability to transport a ton of cargo seduces them far from first of all. It's just that this is another very unusual way to stand out from a car crowd. 30% of the buyers of the old L200 made their choice due to the stylish appearance of this car. Is it worth it to be surprised that among the latest novelties Mitsubishi, it was the plain pickup who was endowed with the brightest appearance.
The emergence of the Pajero Evo 2+2 concept in 2002 caused so many enthusiastic reviews that since then any new Mitsubishi news is evaluated not only in itself, but also by the degree of proximity to the appearance of experimental cars. The pickup has justified expectations to the greatest extent. No wonder the new L200 was originally born in the form of a racing Mitsubishi RTE (Racing Truck Evolution), created in 2005 for the Dakar rally-Raid. By the way, a Russian crew performed on one of these cars. Some features migrated from the concept to a serial pickup, it seems, unchanged: the outline of the hood, wings, windshield, a radiator lattice with a triangle of Mount Fuji. And in some respects, the pickupian looks even more spectacular: the area of \u200b\u200bjoint of the cabin with the body has given the opportunity to show all their skills. This inter -ending joint, which could become a big problem, has turned
in almost the main success: the shape of the rear door windows, a sharp cliff of the smooth line of the roof, connecting, and not the second sickle of the stamping, a verified, bewitching, gaze, the work of specialists of the Japanese designer center. The side effect of grace is the lowest frontal resistance coefficient in the 0.46 segment (compare from 0.48 in the old L200). The interior follows the same course: instead of angular joints, smooth transitions. Large and strongly inclined (33.5) windshield is removed from the dashboard, as well as on ordinary cars. Improves the mood and large total glazing area (0.95 sq. M). The utilitarianism resembles only the wear resistance and strength of materials used in the decoration that is easy to clean from dirt. And the finish scheme is more consistent with the nature of modern plastics, without an attempt to imitate natural materials with their help. In such a salon is not a shame to invite a lady. And its volumes allow you to easily accommodate in it by a large family, who has it.
L200 will be produced in options with a double cab, that is, 5-seater and 4-door, one and a half (5-seater 2-door) and single (with one series of seats). The last two versions are designed for utilitarian use, and therefore they do not form the basis of sales. Only 5% L200 of the previous generation was bought with a single cab and 15% with one and a half. And in Russia, only the Double Cab option will be sold. The length of the cabin in L200 in this performance was the largest 2153 mm in the segment. And what about the length of the cargo body, because when used in the city, it is important not to overdo it with dimensions? The total L200 length does not exceed 5 m, and this is the standard length of European parking. Thus, the length of the cargo floor was only 1325 mm. (For comparison: with a single cab, the length of the cargo body is 2220 mm.) However, given the lifestyle of the alleged owners, such a compromise looks quite reasonable. And besides, this size corresponds to the standard euro foot. So the practical side of the matter is not ignored. 
Nevertheless, for future owners, the main thing is to preserve the usual comfort, because among buyers of the old L200 35% moved to it from cars. From the good you will not have to wean. Inside, pickups do not differ from a regular sedan. The rear seats with the angle of inclination of the backs 25. The space for the legs of the rear passenger is 810 mm. Low thresholds for convenience of access. The richest in the segment of the set: alloy wheels, multifunctional display, traumatic steering wheel, controlled by inclination, immobilizer, heating mirrors and electric drives, many light sources, two pillows of the headlights (option), leather chairs with eight adjustments and heated (heating ( option). And there are things that can only be in a pickup, for example, the drop -down rear window, which allows not only to get a small luggage from the body, but also to provide ventilation without wind noise, a practical analogue of the hatch in the roof.
Centaur Now about running qualities. Of course, L200 is far from a sports car on the asphalt. A ton of cargo unambiguously dictates the need to maintain a frame at the base of the body and rear suspension with an uncertain bridge on powerful leaf springs. But the cabin is suspended on a completely modern independent front suspension with double cross levers. Together with the new rack steering system, the chassis provides the most modest radius of a turn of 5.9 m for its segment.
But what the designers took care of is about off -road qualities, without which the concept of an active lifestyle in relation to future owners L200 loses all meaning. As the sample of strength at the landfill showed, in this regard, L200 is not much inferior to classic SUVs like Pajero. Which is not surprising, because the pickup system has the same Super Select drive system. The front axis is connected on the go to a speed of 100 km/h. At the same time, due to the presence of a central differential, the full -wheel drive mode can be used at any speed and on any coating. And the reduced row and blocking of the rear differential (option) even more expand the off -road opportunities.
L200 will be equipped with a 4-band automatic transmission or 5-speed mechanics. Moreover, the option with a mechanical box will be offered with a less flexible Easy Select drive system. It also has the ability to connect a full drive on the go, however, the front axle is connected hard, which on dry asphalt causes control problems. But for off -road, this is exactly what you need. And, by the way, the rear axle from this point of view is by no means a problem. Indeed, according to true jeepers, the SUV should be just that. Europeanization also means the use of the most advanced security systems, and this is not only ABS, but also a proprietary M-ASTC stabilization system (option). Part of this system is PBS. A special regulator provides an equally good balance of brakes, regardless of whether there is a load in the body or not. According to the internal research of the company, the L200 should receive four stars in the EURONCAP Crash test the first in the segment of monophonic trucks.
And finally, another purely European line: the new L200 will be equipped with only a diesel engine with a capacity of 136 hp. The new turbodiesel has become 17% more powerful, 30% more and more economical than the previous generation motor. However, diesel engines, like pickups in general, in our country become not only familiar, but also come into fashion. Prices in Russia fit in the range of 2499033490 dollars.
Technical characteristics Mitsubishi L200
Dimensions, mm 5000x1800x1780
Equipped mass, kg 1890
Diesel L4 engine type with turbocharged
Working volume, cubic meter. cm 2477
Max. Power, L.S./rpm 136/4000
Max. moment, nm/rpm 314/2000
Mechanical transmission 5-speed
Or automatic 4-band
The drive is connected full
Max. Speed, km/h 167/165
Acceleration time 0-100 km, from 14.6/17.8
Fuel consumption (average), l/100 km 8.7/9.6
Leonid Sitnik
Photo of the manufacturer
Source: Avtopanorama magazine
