Next generation Shogun on sale
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• The second generation Mitsubishi Shogun goes on sale this week. It features an all-new four-wheel-drive system, but as yet the L200 pickup range will not benefit from the changes. The new transmission, dubbed "Super Select" by Mitsubishi, features a freewheel clutch in the front axle, enabling two or fourwheel-drive to be selected at speeds up to 100km/h (62mph).
Other features include a centre viscous coupling and locking rear differential. For off-road driving the viscous coupling can be locked in high or low range, to provide a 50/50 torque split to the front and rear axles. The rear differential uses a compressed air lock for the rear axle, which can be engaged at speeds up to 12km/h (7mph). A dash-mounted switch engages the diff-lock, which disengages automatically if speed rises above 12km/h.
The new Shoguns have a longer wheelbase than their predecessors. The short wheelbase is up 70rnm to 2,420mm; the LWB grows by 30mm to 2,725rnm. This means that the chassis is no longer shared with the L200 pickup range.
Engines are carried over from the previous models, but modifications lift the power and torque figures on both the petrol and diesel units.
The 2.5-litre indirect-injection charge-cooled diesel now produces 73kW (98hp) at 4,200rpm and 240Nm (1771bft) of torque at 2,000rpm: increases of 4% and 2% respectively.
Output for the 3.0-litre veesix petrol engine is now 110kW (147hp) with 236Nrn (1741bft) of torque at 4,000rpm.
A five-speed manual gearbox comes as standard, with an automatic option on petrol models.
A brief drive shows the new Shogun to be much improved, both on and off road. Equipped with 50/50 on/off road tyres, the SWB and LWB petrol and diesel models all coped well with a wet, slippery mud course.