the new mitsu L200 strada

[sikuya]

is this truck going to make it to the philippines to battle the hilux,d-max and frontier (and ranger too?)?

the new Mitsubishi L200 Strada (sorry,small pictures)




*engines:2.5L I-4 and 3.2L V6 (175 hp and 382Nm of torque)
*global production center is Thailand (except for the US where they will get the much bigger Dakota-derived Mitsubishi Raider

[zechs]

mukhang ok naman ah...corporate nose is still there..interior looks like the grandis'.

[wilcats]

Pogi ah! tuff choice nato for pickup buyers if dnala nila dito yan... Hilux or Strada????

[tebs]

ano kaya diesel engine option nila?

yung isuzu, toyota, parehong common rail direct injection turbo intercooler na; ano kaya sa mitsu-- 2.8 turbo intercooler na 4m40 ng pajero gen2.5 or 3.2 turbo intercooler 4m41 ng current pajero?

[sikuya]

US' Mitsu truck:

engines:3.7L Powertech V6 210hp; 4.7L Powertech V8 230hp

[Hero]

knowing mitsu it would stick with the old engine..maybe the 2.8..

[Supierreman]

knowing mitsu it would stick with the old engine..maybe the 2.8..

knowing mitsu philippines probably they will release the face lifted model here by the time it's already phased out in other markets

[nugundam93]

ay caramba! it looks like the pajero evo 2 (MPR9+ series)! me want! heheh.

[nugundam93]

sikuya, san mo nga pala nakuha pic?

[lexus]

its an all new model (new 3.2 crdi) to be released this year.
check out this article from the Bangkok Post Motoring

Friday, May 20, 2005

Mitsu pickup bares it all


Mitsubishi's all-new pickup, which replaces the L200 Strada in August this year, has broken cover for the first time.

As seen in these pictures smuggled out from Mitsubishi Motors Thailand, the new L200 _ most likely to be called Triton _ bears a completely new face and profile and promises to be an eye-catcher on the road.

The eye-drop headlights, fat nose and round foglamps are reminiscent to the race version used in the Paris-Dakar Rally Raid driven by ****sawan Saksiwetikul in January this year.

In addition, the rear end of the cabin has been given a curvy stance. The same goes for the inside that has a stylish three-spoke steering wheel and bulbous fascia as featured in the Space Wagon MPV.

As reported in Motoring last year, the new L200 will get two engines complete with the latest in common-rail fuel injection and turbocharging: 2.5 and 3.2 litres to effectively cope with the Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Hilux Vigo and Chevrolet Colorado, all of which incorporate such technologies.

The 3.2-litre engine is new and is an improved version of that used in the Pajero mid-sized sport-utility. It becomes the first oil-burner in the segment to displace over 3,000cc.



During the tax overhaul last year, the Excise Department guilefully divided the pickup category into two rates: 3% for those with engines below 3,250cc and 50% for those above that limit. The Mitsubishi engine displaces 3,200cc.

Like in the current range, there will be choices of single/double cab, two/four wheel-drive systems and manual/automatic transmission.

Although not confirmed yet, the new L200 may get a five-speed automatic transmission to cope with the high power and torque outputs. This will give it an immediate selling edge over all its rivals.

Depending on emissions requirements, the Thai Mitsubishi unit wants to make the new L200 the most powerful pickup available in the market toppling the 163hp, 343Nm 3.0-litre D4D diesel offered by Toyota. Likely outputs for the Mitsubishi light truck could be as high as 175hp and 382Nm of torque as seen in the Pajero.

"Thai buyers usually have associated Mitsubishi pickups with power and performance since the Cyclone. We have also emphasised on motor sports for the new pickup. That's why we want to go for a high output," noted an insider.

Since Mitsubishi has made Thailand its global production hub (excluding the US where it has its own version) under a 21-billion-baht scheme, expect prices to be either maintained or reduced depending on the model. Expect the price range to be between 420,000-850,000 baht.

Thailand will be the first country to see the introduction of the new L200. This strategy was also employed by Isuzu and Toyota with their current models.

But unlike in the Toyota line-up that also included MPV and SUV derivatives, Mitsubishi has no immediate plans of replacing the G-Wagon SUV based on the L200.

Another source said Mitsubishi Motors (Japan) is still debating whether the new G-Wagon and Pajero 4x4s should be merged into one model. Excise rules that once required pickup-based SUVS, aka PPVs (pickup passenger vehicle), to have a minimum wheelbase length of 2,850mm, leaf springs on the rear suspension and identical engines to normal pickups have been lifted.

This is why the Toyota Fortuner comes with coil springs, a more compact body and a petrol engine alternative. The increased freedom in engineering has enabled the Fortuner to appeal to other markets, thus boosting its export potential.

"The Pajero is a rather iconic name in off-roading. It shouldn't be mingled with the Challenger (called G-Wagon in Thailand). But anything's possible, especially when Mitsubishi is still bleeding (in financial terms)," an overseas sourced told Motoring.

To avoid cannibalisation between the Fortuner and Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota has pushed the Prado upmarket into Lexus territory where it is also called GX in the US. The Land Cruiser Cygnus monster is badged LX. As a result, this has left breathing room for Toyota in the more cost-effective mid-sized SUV segment: the Fortuner.

This tactic could be employed by Mitsubishi in which the Pajero is kicked upstairs, while the G-Wagon's replacement being the mid-sized SUV. This is not to be confused with the all-new compact SUV to replace the Outlander and Pajero io. Mitsubishi's baby 4x4 is being co-developed with the PSA Group, maker of Peugeot and Citroen.