Mitsubishi L200 MY2020 – the new face of the classic

The intergenerational facelift of the popular L200 pick-up arrived at the beginning of last year, and the four-wheeled work tool gets a more modern design, a more comfortable cabin and useful on-board technologies. There are a lot of changes here and they are really visible. The hood has been significantly modified, which now resembles an SUV rather than a practical work-oriented car. But the improvement of its famous off-road capabilities was not forgotten either, and with the L200 you can now dare even more off-road.

The Mitsubishi L200 is a legend among commercial vehicles. It has already celebrated its fortieth birthday and the first model went on the road in 1978. The Mitsubishi L200 is also known in the world under the names Triton, Strada and others. The current generation is also sold in Europe as the Fiat Fullback, for which we probably have to wait for a facelift (if it happens at all).

The first generation produced until 1986 was logically not sold here, so the L200 came to us in the second generation only in 1993. The last two generations from 2005 are characterized by the rising lower edge of the rear window and the overall rounding of the rear part of the cabin. The fourth generation carried the most pronounced rounding, the fifth generation already has a milder rounding and it disappears completely with the current facelift. The manufacturer is switching to significantly sharp features following the model of its Eclipse and Outlander models and most recently the rejuvenated ASX .

The front mask is very different from the previous one. Instead of roundness and big lights, the facelifted model has narrow headlights and an equally low grille. The L200 also received new Full LED headlights (main beam, daytime running lights and cornering lights). Everything is placed relatively high and the car looks much more massive. Under the hood, there is still a large access to the radiator, and on its sides, the L200 has vertically positioned fog lights. This lot transitions smoothly into the extended fenders.

In the interior, the changes are not so significant. For example, the steering wheel with a differently designed center is new, and there is a much higher proportion of softened plastics, which are more pleasant to the touch. Finally, there is a full-fledged on-board computer display with nice graphics, and we finally said goodbye to the super bright LEDs that burned the currently driven axle into the driver's retina. The seats are leather and perforated, which brings more comfort on the road and easier maintenance than the fabric seats, which I didn't like too much in the previous L200 Black Edition .

After the facelift, the luxury in the cabin is even more pronounced, and in many ways the interior of the L200 no longer resembles a utility vehicle for work. Of course, basically and with a short cabin, it is still primarily a worker.

The advantage of the L200 is the standard four-wheel drive. The cheaper Easy Select version has an assignable front axle drive, the more expensive Super Select variant has an inter-axle differential. The pre-facelift version could have a single unit, a diesel four-cylinder with a volume of 2.4 liters and an output of 113 or 133 kW. Now there is a new 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel with an output of only 110kW (150k) and a torque of 400Nm. The performance went down, but with it the consumption, which during the test stabilized at the limit of 9L/100km, and of course the noise is also lower. The new engine is significantly quieter and more refined and, thanks to the sixth gear with automatic transmission, also more suitable for longer routes. It is comfortable to drive even on the highway at maximum speeds and overtaking is not a problem. But you have to get used to more frequent downgrades. Among the measures to reduce emissions, exhaust gas cleaning (SCR) with urea injection (AdBlue) appears here to reduce the level of NOx emissions.

New is the Off-road mode, which is available for both the Super-Select and Easy-Select systems. The setting has Gravel, Mud / Snow, Sand and Rock modes. Individual modes adjust engine power management, transmission and braking. The result is better cross-country ability. I tested the snow mode on a really steep deicing slope and the distribution of power between the individual wheels works really better than in the standard mode. Compared to competing solutions, the Super Select 4WD-II system is also equipped with a 1:2.566 (4LLc) reduction for extreme terrain, when the electronics themselves usually reach their limits. For maximum traction on unpaved surfaces, a rear self-locking differential or a rear differential lock is available as an option. This electromagnetically operated rear differential lock on the rear axle contributes to the vehicle's overall off-road capabilities.

The chassis was also improved. At the front, it was time to increase the stiffness of the springs and increase the shock absorbers, and at the back we also find stiffer springs and an increase in the number of spring leaves (from 5 to 6) together with optimization of the shock absorbers. The L200 now feels less "jumpy" on transverse bumps than its predecessor. The front brake discs have been enlarged from 294 to 320 mm, and at the same time there are two-piston brake calipers (2x 45 mm instead of the previously used single-piston 60 mm calipers).

The modernization also brought new safety elements – the system for monitoring the traffic situation behind the vehicle (RCTA) and the system for mitigating the consequences of a frontal collision (FCM). Lane keeping, automatic emergency braking and classic cruise control remain standard. A light and rain sensor and, most recently, a system preventing unwanted acceleration in tight spaces also help here – so that you don't accidentally bump into a wall in the garage, for example. The L200 also already uses four cameras in the front and rear of the vehicle and in the exterior mirrors to monitor the area around the vehicle, providing a full 360° view.

The new L200 is really more comfortable, more well-mannered and, moreover, more capable in the field. This facelift was really successful, and for €37,690 in the highest equipment, you can buy a proper worker, which can also be used as a full-fledged family car for occasional trips to nature.

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