Mitsubishi Trojan is a capable warrior

The L200 Trojan double cab is a value-packed addition to Mitsubishi's evergreen pick-up range, weighing in at a lot less than the Warrior and Barbarian models.

It's got all the gear you need to get the job done without making you pay for fripperies.

Under the bonnet, there's now a more efficient 175bhp Euro 5-compatible diesel engine with 30 per cent more power than before and 27 per cent more torque. As before, buyers get the option of leather upholstery and metallic paint.

Mitsubishi's L200 pick-up series needs little in the way of introduction, having been around in one form or another for over 25 years.

The powerplant is the same 2.5-litre common-rail diesel unit that powers all L200 models. There are varying flavours of this engine but the one to have is the 175bhp unit – which is exactly what this Trojan model now gets, a unit with 30 per cent more power than before and 27 per cent more torque, 400Nm now being on offer. That means you're rarely found wanting for sheer

lugging power, even when you have the bed stacked full. The Trojan doesn't boast one of those engines that has you wondering what sort of fuel to put in, the diesel catching with a rasp and settling into a distinctly blue collar back chatter.

The independent double wishbone front suspension does a good job of filtering the worst jolts but the heavy duty leaf springs at the back can bounce a little with an unloaded bed. You'll be glad of them when you have the vehicle groaning under the weight of a hefty consignment.

Chassis rigidity has been greatly improved compared to previous generation L200 models, lessening vibration and boosting handling.

Buyers used to smooth SUV passenger cars will probably wish for a little less involvement.

The Mitsubishi L200 doesn't look like many other pick-ups. Curves are not things we're used to seeing on macho pick-up trucks but the L200 is smothered in them. The front end, obviously Mitsubishi, is softened with rounded edges for grille and headlamps, plus oval recesses for the circular fog lights. The rear edge of the cab arcs down and around the vehicle's lower edge, while the compound curves of the tailgate and windows are a world away from more setsquare rivals.

The Trojan gets a similar Super Select full-time 4x4 set-up to that found in Mitsubishi's Shogun. It allows the L200 to be driven in front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive mode on the road without the excessive wear and tear suffered by part time systems as a result of transmission wind-up. In slippery off road situations, a further 4WD mode can be selected which maximises traction by locking the rear differential.

Both of the systems are operated by the traditional and rather clunky lever sited alongside the gear stick which seems slightly dated when compared to the dash-mounted dials used by rival manufacturers. All of the Super Select L200 models feature the M-ASTC traction and stability control system as standard. You'll value that when accelerating hard on wet roads with nothing in the bed.

The L200 line-up starts with the 4Work and 4Life models, with the Trojan slotting in beneath the Warrior, Barbarian and Walkinshaw models. I'm wondering what the late, famously irascible Mr Walkinshaw might have thought about being grouped in such company. A no-nonsense sort of guy, I should imagine he'd have been drawn to the practicality of the L200. The Trojan doesn't have a huge equipment list but you can expect to find an MP3-compatible CD stereo, climate control, electric windows all round, a multifunction trip computer, 16-inch alloy wheels, chromed outer door handles, a category one alarm, colour-coded wheel arch extensions and privacy glass.

Expect to pay around £18,000 for your L200 Trojan excluding the VAT