Review
Speed and handling are not words often associated with large trucks but the L200 has both in surprising amounts. The official 0-62mph time for the 2.4-litre Warrior is 10.4 seconds, which doesn’t sound that quick but, just to put it in context, is fractionally quicker than a Volkswagen Golf 1.6TDi Bluemotion (10.5 secs). It feels quicker, perhaps due to its physical size (L5, 285mm x W1, 815mm x H1, 780mm) or maybe as it’s pushing two tonnes in weight (1,850kg), but it certainly feels athletic and has a healthy slug of low-down torque – it’s important to know there is power there when you need it.
The handling is equally impressive. When driven enthusiastically the L200 responds with sure-footedness and little body roll with only the occasional mid-corner juddering from the light rear over the rough ground mentioned in my last report, but it never feels out of shape. The steering is weighty and precise and the brakes are powerful.
A weekend in the super smooth BMW 3 series, however, reminded me of how truck-like the Mitsubishi still is in comparision. But it’s hardly a fair fight.
Luke Neal
