Mitsubishrs 1987 line-up
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• Mitsubishi's new L300 panel van and L200 pickup are now on sale in this country after making their European debut at the Birmingham Motor Show last year.
This means that Mitsubishi, with its new L200, and L300, and 3.5 tonne Canter chassis cab — currently on sale with 17 dealers in the South-East of England — has virtually a complete new model range for 1987. The L300 short-wheelbase chassis cab, however, will continue to be available based on the 1986 model, but with the latest power units, and a restyled cab.
The L300 Panel van is available in both longand shortwheelbase versions, and comes with a rear tailgate, and two sliding side-doors as standard. Operators have the choice of either a 1.6 litre 51kW (68hp) four cylinder OHC petrol engine or a 2.5 litre 51kW (68hp) DI four cylinder OHC diesel unit.
The gearbox is a five-speed manual unit with a steering column gearstick. Steering is by rack and pinion. Payloads range from 885kg for the short-wheelbase diesel L300, to 1,145kg for the long-wheelbase petrol van. Load volume is 4.43m for the short-wheelbase models, and 5.67m for the long-wheelbase version.
The L300's new bodyshell features a wedge-shaped nose with specially shaped sills and roof sections to improve aerodynamic efficiency. In the cab, the controls and trim have also been revised to be more car-like.
The arrival of the L200 pickup marks a return by Mitsubishi to the UK one-tonne pickup market. Three versions are on offer — the longwheelbase L200 comes with either a two litre 66kW (88hp) four cylinder OHC petrol unit, or a 2.5 litre 51kW (68hp) four cylinder OHC diesel unit. Both are fitted with balancing shafts for smooth running.
The short-wheelbase pickup, however, is only available with the 66kW petrol engine, coupled to the standard five-speed gearbox. Fourwheel-drive models have a high and low ratio transfer box taking drive to the front wheels which are fitted with automatic free-wheel hubs.
The long-wheelbase pickup has a platform length of 2.26m while the short-wheelbase's is 1.85m. The load area is double-skinned, and a cab window guard is fitted. A high specification 'diamond' option pack is also available at extra cost for 2WD and 4WD derivatives. This offers power steering for the 2WD versions, and power steering, a rear limited-slip differential and heavy-duty suspension for the 4WD versions.
A three-year, 160,900km (100,000 mile) warranty is standard on both the L200 and L3(X) models. Both models also have a recently-introduced six-year anti-perforation warranty with no limit on distance travelled.
Current sales figures for Mitsubishi commercials are rather misleading, as the importer consistently outsells its quotas each year. Of a 1987 quota of 2,000 commercial vehicles under 3.5-tonnes for Mitsubishi, 1,500 will be the new L300 panel van, with a hoped-for 50% split between diesel and petrol models.
The L300 will be sold against similar Japanese-designed 'compact' vans such as the Bedford Midi and Toyota Hi-Ace, as well as larger vans like the Freight Rover Sherpa 200 series, and the Ford Transit 100.
This leaves 500 units left of the quota to be split between the L200 pickup and the 3.5tonne Canter. How serious the company is about the Canter models in this country remains to be seen, but it is clear that with such a low number to import. Mitsubishi has only a limited number with which to attack the 3.5-tonne chassis cab market.
SPANISH MODELS?
The agreement with Mercedes-Benz to allow the German manufacturer to build the L300 panel van with a MB driveline, in Spain, may relieve the pressure on Mitsubishi's European quota. At the moment the M-B-built hybrid vans will only be sold in South America and the Mediterranean countries but if they prove to be a success, Peter Beaumont, managing director of Mitsubishi Motors, says that the UK importer will "probably get the Spanish vans, although not for a couple of Years."
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed this by saying that the M-B/Mitsubishi panel vans could "possibly" be imported to the UK.
Pressure on Mitsubishi sales may increase if Hyundai starts to import the old version of the L300 as recently reported in Commercial Motor. Mitsubishi says that the agreement is for Hyundai to build and sell the old L300 only in South Korea, although there is nothing to prevent Hyundai importing to the UK.