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Pick up a pickup
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Page 71
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CM is collating its many tests to help you make the right choice of used truck. This week the focus is on pickups.
Vehicle: Mitsubishi L200 Tested: 9 January 2003 Specifications Engine: Mitsubishi 2.5-litre OHC IDI diesel with balancer shafts Maximum power: 114hp at 4,000rpm Maximum torque: 240Nm at 2,000hom Transmission: Five-speed, all-synchromesh manual gearbox with dual range and selectable four-wheel drive Terms of warranty: Three years/100,000 miles, including European breakdown and recovery Operational trial results Gross vehicle weight: 2,830kg
Test payload: 1 ,010kg
Maximum braked trailer weight: 2,700kg Average speed (laden): 61.0k/m ph (37.9mph) Average fuel consumption (laden): 27.8mpg (10.81it/100km)
The lowdown
You can't argue with the sales figures.They prove that Mitsubishi's offering in the fiercely competitive pickup market must have something going for it — but despite that runaway success we were unable to identify any one area where the L200 stands out significantly above any of its rivals.
It's refined, has a lively performance and acceptable economy. It rides and drives like a car, in the dry at least;comfort and build quality are also car-like.
In fact it's an extremely competent allrounder, but the Mitsubishi L200's excessive servicing demands and marginal behaviour in the wet keep it from the top of our list. Which will worry Mitsubishi's accountants not at all.
Vehicle: Ford Ranger 2.5TD Tested: 13 March 2003 Specifications Engine: Duratorq 2.5-litre WLT Euro-3 IDI charge-cooled turbo-diesel with three valves per cylinder, catalytic converter and EGR Maximum power: 107hp at 3,500rpm Maximum torque: 266Nm at 2,000rpm Transmission: Five-speed all synchromesh manual with dual-range transfer box and four-wheel drive Terms of warranty: 12 months, unlimited distance, plus three-year/60,000-mile Ford Protect Plan Operational trial results Gross vehicle weight: 2,930kg Test payload: 1,135kg Maximum braked trailer weight: 2,800kg Av speed (laden): 63.8k/mph (39.6mph) Average fuel consumption (laden): 26.3mpg (10.71it/100km)
The lowdown
Some pickups have their gimmicks but the nearest this Ford Ranger gets to frivolity is its unique (except for its Mazda half-brother) rear-door arrangement.
This provides easy access to the rear of the cab, both for passengers and for bulky goods that you may not want to expose to the elements in the load box.
Rear doors apart. the Ranger Super Cab 4x4 is a workhorse, but with enough refinement and comfort to make work as much of a pleasure as possible.
Although fuel economy is unremarkable, its superior payload helps to compensate in no small way.
Even if— or should that be when the bubble bursts on this section of the market, you can count on the Ranger in its more utilitarian forms performing faithful service.
Vehicle: Nissan Navara Outlaw Tested: 31July 2003 Specifications Engine: YD25DDTI 2.5-litre DI turbo-diesel with four valves per cylinder Maximum power: 131hp at 4,000rpm Maximum torque: 304Nm at 2,000rpm Transmission: Five-speed manual over drive gearbox with four-wheel drive Terms of warranty: Three-year/60,000-mile pan-European cover Operational trial results Gross vehicle weight: 2,860kg Test payload: 1,135kg Maximum braked trailer weight: 3,000kg Average speed (laden): 65.5k/mph (40 7mph) Average fuel consumption (laden): 31.8mpg (8.910100km)
The lowdown
The Navara Outlaw is an eye-catching product which would look equally at home on a ranch or a farm, but it also delivers the goods. With a powerful and responsive engine and strong fuel figure,the Navara Outlaw won't cost you any more at the pumps than the pickup it replaces.
If you're looking at trading up from a company car or van to pickup, then make sure you compensate for the little bit of extra fuel you might need to run it. It's comfortable to drive, quiet.comes with air-con, and the addition of the word "Outlaw" on the side means you'll never lose it in a car park. •