Motor Sri Lanka – July 2019

MITSUBISHI L200 SPORTERO

TEST DRIVE

PHOTOS CHAMILA PIERIS

THE GUIDE

GOOD

FAIR

POOR

VERY GOODEXCELLENT

THE VERDICT

EXTERIOR / LOOKS

MECH & TECH

THE DRIVE EXPERIENCE

LIVING WITH IT

SAFETY

ECONOMY & PRICE

FINAL WORDS

Tech Specs

Engine

2,442cc, 4-cylinder

Direct injection, turbodiesel

175bhp @ 3,500rpm

430Nm @ 2,500rpm

Transmission

6-speed automatic

Paddle shifters

Super Select 4WD

Suspension

Front Double Wishbone

Rear Leaf Spring

Brakes

Front Vent. Disc

Rear Drum

ABS, EBD

Wheels & Tyres

265/60R18 all round

Performance

0-100km/h in 11.5s

Top Speed 173kmh

*manufacturer figures

Misc

Length 5,220mm

Width 1,815m

Height 1,780mm

Kerb Weight 1,800kg

Fuel Tank 75L

Misacceleration Mitigation System (avoiding

sudden acceleration based on distances of

objects in front and behind the vehicle – such

as enclosed parking spaces, driveways

with gates and the like, but switches off

automatically when 4LLc is selected), Multi

Around Monitor (Mitsubishi-speak for an all-

around array of cameras; a useful tool for

off-roading and parking) RISE or Reinforced

Impact Safety Evolution Chassis/Body, 7 SRS

Airbags, Seat-Belt Pre-tensioners, Active

Stability and Traction Control, Hill Start Assist,

ABS with EBD (Electronic brake distribution)

and Front Ventilated Disc Brakes.

Equipped with such an arsenal of safety

features it is little wonder that the Sportero

scored a perfect 5 Star rating at the rigorous

ANCAP safety test (The Sportero is known as

the Triton in Australia). The best advice really

over all the other factors when choosing a

vehicle, is to never compromise on safety, no

matter how attractive, powerful, fuel-efficient,

or cost-effective the vehicle is.

Fuel Econ & Price

The pricing, as estimated by United

Motors, at time of review, given our market’s

volatile tax structure; is around LKR 12Mn for

the highest spec variant, the Sportero that

we’ve featured here.

The 2.4L unit, though quite powerful,

is also equipped with a host of features

designed to boost fuel efficiency. As such

United Motors estimates 8Km/L urban, and

12-15km/L sub-urban. With a 75L tank, the

Sportero has a great range for those long

trips.

Final Words

If you are in the market for a 4x4, and

don’t necessarily need a 3rd row, a pick-

up truck is the more versatile package.

With a load area that can take far more

oversized objects than a 4x4 wagon and

car like comfort it would be hard to ignore

the modern pick-up. If you are even in the

market for an SUV and value comfort over

4x4 capability, the Sportero would make an

interesting alternative as Mitsubishi have

narrowed the gap between SUVs and Pick-

ups in terms of driving dynamics, handling,

safety and creature comforts making it quite

the contender over-lapping many varied

classes of vehicle. They’ve done this with

no compromise to the definitive rudimentary

characteristics of a rugged 4x4 pick-up as

well. But that’s not all.

In our opinion, the Sportero is one

of the best 4x4 face-lifts we’ve seen in

recent times. But that beauty is not just

skin deep. In a remarkable masterstroke of

engineering and design, Mitsubishi have

shown that they still have what it takes to

create a comprehensive package combining

a plethora of requirements as demanded by

an ever-challenging market segment. They

have created a vehicle that is not just a good

‘recent’ Mitsubishi, but probably one of the

best vehicles they have ever developed! This

is the vehicle, if marketed right that will serve

to change the fortunes of the company in

this part of the world. Truly a Game-changer,

L200 Sportero serves as firm evidence that

the company is back; and is ready to take the

fight to the competition, and quite possibly,

win.

IT’S A LARGE LOAD

SPACE THAT CAN

CARRY PRETTY

MUCH ANYTHING YOU

DESIRE...HOWEVER

FITTING A LOCKABLE

LOAD COVER WOULD

BE A PRUDENT THING

IF YOU INTEND USING

THE L200 SPORTERO

AS A FAMILY VEHICLE...

Motor

maglanka.lk

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