Car History: Mitsubishi L200
With an origin that dates back over a century, Mitsubishi Motors is a renowned brand in the automotive world. The Japanese brand has launched a car line-up that depicts the latest innovations and advanced features.
A popular pickup truck from the lineup, the Mitsubishi L200, was introduced in the markets in 1978. The Mitsubishi L200 was well-received by car enthusiasts due to its advanced features, comfortable ride experience and road handling.
We have put together the details of the Mitsubishi L200 generations and models to show its progress over the years.
Mitsubishi L200 Generations
The Mitsubishi L200 is listed as one of the most popular Japanese used cars in the UAE. It has also been sold under the Triton nameplate in some markets. The model has become well-known because of its powerful design, off-road performance, durability and comfort.
Let’s unveil the Mitsubishi L200 model history and find out the reasons for its popularity in the pick-up category.
FIRST-GENERATION MITSUBISHI L200 (1978-1986)
The first generation 1-tonne pick-up truck was introduced as “Forte” in 1978. It featured a single-cab body style. The front fascia had four round headlights and an air-dam skirt. It had a wheelbase of 109 inches and a 54-inch wide front track.
The interior came equipped with Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) technology with a 2-piece prop shaft.
The engine lineup included 2.0-litre, 2.6-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines. The pickup model became available with a 4WD system in 1980.
SECOND-GENERATION MITSUBISHI L200 (1986-1995)
For the second generation, the pickup truck was launched in three body types: Single Cab, Club Cab and Double Cab. Short and long body styles were available for Single Cab. The exterior featured a new grille and plastic bumpers.
Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive systems were available for the second-generation models. The engines offered included 2.0-litre petrol and 2.6-litre petrol variants.
The Mitsubishi L200 was launched under different nameplates such as Strada, Mighty Max, Triton and RAM 50 for varied markets.
THIRD-GENERATION MITSUBISHI L200 (1995-2005)
The third generation was offered in three configurations: Double Cab, Crew Cab and Single Cab.
The exterior of this Mitsubishi L200 new generation was redesigned for a cutting-edge look. The front fascia featured rectangular headlights which were rounded at corners and placed in deep clusters. Chromed brush guards were also introduced. Moreover, a sturdy roll bar was mounted on the back of the cabin. The wheelbase was extended to 118 inches.
The interior had seating for five. The extended wheelbase offered more cargo space which made the model a suitable choice for personal and commercial use.
This Mitsubishi L200 model generation offered the following engine options
- 2.0 and 2.4-litre inline engines producing 122 hp and 132 hp respectively.
- A 3.0-litre V6 engine that generated 181 hp.
Several features such as Anti-Lock Braking System and Limited Slip Differential were added to enhance driving stability and handling. In addition to this, anti-pinch power windows, driver-side airbags and high-level brake lights were added.
FOURTH-GENERATION MITSUBISHI L200 (2005-2014)
Like the Mitsubishi old models, the fourth generation was also offered in three body configurations. The crew cab version featured pentagonal headlights with a body-coloured vertical slat grille. All three body styles had a towing capacity of 2,700 kg and a one-tonne payload.
The interior came equipped with wider seating, air conditioning and power windows. Power mirrors and an infotainment unit were also added. The Double Cab version offered seating for four.
The Double Cab trim offered a 3.5-litre V6 engine which boosted power of 178 hp. It came paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
FIFTH-GENERATION MITSUBISHI L200 (2015-PRESENT)
The fifth generation of the Mitsubishi L200 rolled out in 2015 with a new name “Sports Utility Truck”. The new model was also offered in three body types: Single Cab, Double Cab and double-door Club Cab. This generation was offered in five standard trims:
- 4Life
- Titan
- Barbarian
- Warrior
The interior featured a touchscreen infotainment system with multiple connectivities, a power steering wheel with shortcut buttons and electric windows. The Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab offered seating for six and the Single Cab trim offered seating for three.
The Mitsubishi L200 Single Cab offers a 2WD system while the Double Cab version comes with an additional 4WD system option. The engines available include
- 2.4-litre petrol engine with a power of 126 hp.
- 2.4 -litre turbodiesel engine with MIVEC technology
Both engine variants come with an optional five-speed automatic transmission and a standard six-speed manual transmission.
The fifth-generation models also come with several safety features such as:
- Hill start assistance
- Trailer Stability Assistance
- Traction Control System
- 7-airbag system
FIFTH-GENERATION MITSUBISHI L200 FACELIFT (2019)
The fifth-generation Mitsubishi L200 received a facelift in 2019. The exterior has been modified with slimmer headlights and a more angular front bumper. Moreover, the new model comes equipped with new safety features. Advanced collision mitigation and warning system, blind spot assist and rear cross-traffic alert have been added.
This is all on the Mitsubishi L200 models and history and its models up to the current date. The pick-up truck has been a top-tier choice among others because of its dynamic road handling and comfortable ride experience.
Therefore, if you wish to add such a vehicle to your collection and avail the above-mentioned features, go through these used Mitsubishi L200 for sale in the UAE and pick a ride of your choice.
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