L200 pick-up should stay on top of the pile

Motoring writers were even treated to a quick ride around the wet handling track (its surface treated to simulate driving on wet ice) with Scottish rally champion Euan Thorburn at the wheel.

Ah, you might think, this is obviously a new version of Mitsubishi's legendary high performance Evo.

But you'd be wrong – slipping, sliding and drifting around the track at MIRA's Nuneaton base was the company's top-selling pick-up. And this is anything but a rally car – it's a workhorse weighing nearly three tonnes.

It was a first for Thorburn, to say nothing of the assembled writers.

It was part of a session to show just how the new L200's four wheel drive and electronic systems (by driving with them on and off) transform handling, roadholding and safety even in the most difficult of conditions.

This is the fifth generation of the big truck (consistently top of its class) and it is new from the ground up as Mitsubishi are determined to ensure one of its most important models stays ahead of the competition.

It has a stronger, stiffer chassis and a new engine which is more powerful yet it also offers significantly better fuel economy and lower emissions.

Its four wheel drive system has been improved, it can carry more cargo and has a revised suspension system designed to give driver and passengers and more comfortable ride in its much improved cabin.

The L200 is uncompromisingly a working vehicle, popular with farmers, foresters, builders and the like but in its earlier forms it essentially established a new class of vehicle. The 'double cab' concept, which inspired plenty of imitators, was a vehicle designed for hard work during the week but with five seats and enough creature comforts to become family transport at weekends.

That was great for the small businessman as it potentially saved the cost of a second family car, and also made it popular among those with outdoor leisure interests, and even a few who liked the rough, tough image (as well as the possible tax advantages).

As an all-rounder it has few peers. It can transport five people over the roughest terrain, carry up to a tonne in its load bay and pull a trailer with over three tonnes of cargo.

Prices start from £19,749 to £25,199 (excluding VAT) for the automatic version of the flagship 'Barbarian' version, equipped to executive car standards with the likes of leather upholstery, alloy wheels, climate control and satellite navigation.

The basis of the new L200 is the stiffer chassis, with benefits for load carrying and safety. The all-new, 2,442cc turbo diesel engine is more powerful than its 136bhp predecessor, and whether you have the new 151 or 178bhp version they're the leanest and cleanest in the class – 44.1 or 42.8mpg respectively and 169 or 173g/km.

At present, the L200 is subject to standard VED commercial vehicle rates, but there is every likelihood that the government will soon introduce emissions-based rates as in passenger cars. As the lowest in the pack, Mitsubishi believes this will give them another sales advantage.

On the road, the new engine performs strongly, and is impressively quick by pick-up standards. It's mated to a new six-speed gear box which means smoother acceleration and quieter cruising.

Bearing in mind its workhorse role, you will be aware of the heavy duty suspension when lightly loaded but a revised system of leaf springs, dampers and anti-roll bars has significantly reduced the old rock 'n'roll experience. The changes are especially appreciated on winding roads by passengers.

The gearbox has a shorter, slicker action than its predecessor and it has given the L200 another advantage off-road, enabling the low ratio set of cogs to have an even lower first gear so it will climb steep and slippery slopes at tickover revs, aiding traction.

The four wheel drive system itself has changed with a 40/60 per cent split of torque between front and rear axles, instead of 50/50, to provide more traction when you have a trailer coupled up. The vehicle's electronic stability programme also recognises when you're towing, and can reduce torque or brake individual wheels on the pick-up to make sure its trailer remains stable too.

Drivers can switch from rear wheel drive to four wheel on the move at speeds of up to 62mph, useful if you encounter wet and slippery conditions. Two wheel drive saves fuel, but in slippery conditions a lightly-loaded pick-up can become tail happy on bends or islands: the combination of four wheel drive and stability control counteracts that.

Remarkably, it's still the only pick-up able to tow on the road in four wheel drive. For extreme surfaces you can lock the central differential, but even then the electronics will brake any spinning wheel. That's comforting because the new L200 is not only nippy on the road, it's actually quite agile, too. The steering is light and has been sharpened up significantly, feeling much more car-like than some of its more agricultural ancestors.

In spite of its length, it also has the best turning circle in its place, useful if your manoeuvring in a tight space.

The rear seats have enough head and leg room to accommodate a six-footer, and also have a backrest angle of a comfortable 25 degrees, which is another major advantage over some of its rivals with hard, upright seats reminiscent of a Victorian school.

The interior has softer, higher quality surfaces, with features such as air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, a leather-clad multi-function steering wheel, and a multi-speaker audio system with Bluetooth from the entry-level 4Life upwards. The safety package includes seven airbags, cruise control with speed limiter, ABS and brake force distribution. Step up through the next trim levels and you also get features such as an upgraded stereo, fog lamps, automatic lights and wipers, electrically adjustable and heated seats, and even a full leather pack.

The L200 was Mitsubishi's biggest seller in the UK last year, even though that was the fourth generation model and some seven years old. That augers well for the new and much-improved model. It's stronger, safer, tougher, even better off road and a highly competent tow vehicle, and in terms of economy it's the class-leader.

Its open load area (there's also a hard-top) is more practical for a workhorse than an SUV but a key feature is the way Mitsubishi has listened to its customers with its quieter, more comfortable ride and an all together better experience for its driver and passengers. In spite of its undoubted capabilities, from the inside its far more car than truck.

The fifth generation L200 has already won Auto Express magazine's Pick-up of the Year award and looks set to continue picking up sales to keep it on top of the pile for some years to come.

By John Griffiths