Wheels

All new Mitsubishi L200 - sporty and dynamic

Edited by Pramod de Silva

United Motors Lanka Ltd has launched the 2007 All New Mitsubishi L200, a completely new one-ton pickup redesigned from the ground up.

Combining the functionality benefits of a traditional pickup with the comfort and driving performance benefits of a passenger car. The L200 has been created to be a truly complete pickup. Breaking away from traditional pickup design that used hard, angular body shapes, the new L200 has adopted an aerodynamic styling similar to that of the Dakar Rally-winning Pajero Evolution.

The front face features a curving hood and bumper design, with solid, powerful fenders. Sweeping bodylines flow from the front over the cabin to the cargo bed, where the curving structure of the bed gives it the appearance of wrapping around the cabin space.

The sloping A-pillar is more aerodynamic to provide better fuel efficiency and a quieter ride. This shape, combined with the wide rear window, also creates a much more open feeling for driver and passengers alike. The L200 remains true to its roots, featuring spacious cargo beds on both the Double Cab and Single Cab models that can carry everything needed for a weekend vacation or handle the demands of a day's work.

Mitsubishi's designers spared no effort in making the interior as inviting as that of a sedan. The dash panel features a stylishly modern design, with easy-access knobs, ergonimically arranged controls, and sporty combination meters, all framing the 4-spoke steering wheel, available in urethane or leather.

The cabin space and seating are laid out for maximum comfort, with enough legroom and headroom for all occupants to relax and enjoy the ride. The hip points of the front and back seats are set lower than in other pickup trucks, for a more car-like driving feel. New for the 2007 L200 is the electronically controlled common rail direct injection.

This advanced fuel system measures out precision, high-pressure sips to each cylinder, drawing out as much energy as possible from each cycle for maximum fuel efficiency and emission quality. The L200 is available in 4WD and 2WD, with Mitsubishi's exclusive Easy Select 4WD available on all 4WD models.

This system allows for easy, shift-on-the-fly transition from quiet and efficient 2WD highway driving to sure and steady 4WD when the roads get rough. Drivers can also lock the center differential for true off-road performance, even in thick mud and sand. All models utilize the exclusive RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body design and thick ladder-frame, which absorbs damage in the event of a collision and redirects around and away from the occupants.

ELR (Electronic Locking and Retractor) seatbelts and SRS airbags are also available to further protect occupants in an emergency. To help drivers avoid emergencies in the first place, responsive power steering and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EDB (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) are available for all models, enabling better maneuverability around obstacles in the road and quicker, safer stops in all conditions.

The front and rear suspensions give the L200 greater stability than before, even on rough, uneven ground, while the limited-slip differential helps driver's maintain traction by preventing wheel slip.