Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian
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- Written by Rory White
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The last time I was sat behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi, sweaty palmed and buttocks clenched, I'd been making my way across deserted countryside bathed in warm evening sunshine. And here I was again, three diamonds on the grill, dripping hands, in need of new Calvins. But there was one difference, that being the letters and numbers arranged on the back. You see before, those letters and numbers had spelt Evo X FQ-400. This time they spelt L200.
Now don't be fooled into thinking the L200 is fast. It isn't. The recently revised 2.5-litre diesel engine mated to a 5-speed gearbox is good for an increased 175bhp and 350Nm of torque. Going the other way is the CO2 output, now down to 248 g/km. An impressive set of numbers you say? On the face of it yes, in practice no, because that 350Nm of torque is served up from 1,800rpm. And when I say served up, I mean funnelled to each wheel with a ferocity that takes the L200's medieval leaf sprung rear suspension by the balls, marches it outside and makes sure the driver walks through the front door crossing their legs.
For more pictures of the Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian, click here!
Perhaps the most vivid expression of just how abrupt, frightening and unpredictable the L200 can be on the road was shown to me on a quiet London T-junction right-turn. A stop, a check and a subsequent dab of the accelerator with two-wheel drive selected had me staring at the left wing mirror opened-mouthed. The expression 'press-on' and the Mitsubishi L200 should never be mixed. And if you think they should, you had better start practicing your over steer correction now.
So to summarise thus far. The latest L200 isn't fast. Isn't refined. Has a bone-shattering ride. Is dangerous in anything other than atmospheric heats found along the equator fitted with slicks, and isn't particularly 'green' even after having its engine tinkered with. And that should be that, but fortunately none of it matters.
That's because there are two figures lingering within the owner's manual that explain everything; Towing limit: 2700kg and Max payload capacity: 1045kg. The Barbarian model we tested costs £27,508 to buy and comes with leather seats, touch screen DVD Sat Nav, multi-CD player, and climate control. It has a set of 17" alloy wheels wrapped up in equally ridiculous 245/65 tyres, and in all honesty will probably be the least popular model of the range - prompting this sound advice.
Farmers, owners of boats, builders and mountain rescue teams lend me your ears. Buy not this model, but the better value 4life or Trojan variants, for the engines and weight stats stay the same. For those tempted by the practicality of four seats, good old-fashioned go-anywhere mechanicals and sickening electric blue illuminated foot plate, do so at your own risk. For cometh a dewy morning when you too will stagger home, clutching the seat of your trouser.
