In the world of compact pickup trucks, US buyers normally go for workhorses such as the Chevrolet Colorado or Toyota Tacoma, while the rest of the world settles for trucks such as the Ford Ranger and what we’ll cover today - the 2015 Mitsubishi L200.
Widely known as the Triton, the first generation of the nameplate was launched back in 1978. It may have had a shaky start, but sales volumes of the first three generations amounted well over 2.8 million units. What Mitsubishi will bring at Geneva is the fifth-gen Triton, which will be known as L200 in Europe.
As the Japanese manufacturer highlights, nine years and 1.3 million L200s later, the fifth-gen’s coming out party has been programmed for the Swiss auto show. The name of the game here is “Sport Utility Truck."
Mitsubishi also announced that the all-new 4N15 2.4-liter MIVEC turbo diesel engine will be available in two different power levels, mated to a similarly all-new six-speed stick shift or a more comfortable slush box.
First units will arrive at dealers this summer in Club Cab and Double Cab body styles
In terms of output, we’re sorry to announce that there’s nothing to get your pants on fire, just 133 kW (180 PS / 178 HP) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft) of torque for the most powerful variant and 113 kW (153 PS / 151 HP) and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) for the base derivative. And yes, kilowatts were used by Mitsubishi to describe the power figures because this one is made in Thailand and the OZ is a huge market for the mid-size truck.
An automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters is also available, while the cabin borrows a lot of bits and bobs from the Mitsubishi Outlander crossover SUV. The Jap also boasts with an SS4-II system (Super Select 4WD II with low gear and full-time four-wheel drive), LED daytime running lights and Bi-Xenon HIDs, dual temperature auto climate control, as well as Hill Start Assist and seven airbags.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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