Mitsubishi Truck Wins U.K. Award
By Larry Edsall
We’re not sure how often it shows up among the media elite on London’s Fleet Street, and you certainly won’t see one running around your neighborhood, but the Mitsubishi L200 was awarded “Pick-Up of the Year” at the 2011 Fleet Van Awards in England.
Although it’s not sold in the United States, the L200 holds a 30.5 percent market share in the U.K., and it beat the stout Nissan Navara, Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok for the award.
“The L200 won this award thanks to its greater range of derivatives and load bed options and level of availability,” according to the awards judge. “Mitsubishi offers all the options for all fleet requirements. The L200 is also strong on residual values, comes with a big range of horsepower options and enjoys strong backup from the Mitsubishi dealer network. Add in competitive pricing and the L200 justifies its place as Pick-Up of the Year.”
Mitsubishi proclaims that “for many years, the L200 has led the way with its innovation, styling, specification and its 4×4 capabilities.”
The award is nothing new for the L200. What Van?, the British magazine, picked the Mitsu as pickup of the year 15 times in 18 years.
“We’re delighted that the Mitsubishi L200 has again retained the Fleet Van Pick-Up of the Year title,” said Lance Bradley, managing director of Mitsubishi Motors in the U.K., “but it’s easy to see why. The versatility of the range is unmatched, with everything from practical and functional single-cabs through to powerful lifestyle double-cabs. It is an honor for us to receive this award as it firmly establishes the L200 as the clear favorite among commercial vehicle operators.”
The L200 is available in single, club and double cab configurations. All are powered by a 2.5-liter turbo-diesel. The L200 double cab in Barbarian trim (pictured here) includes an engine tuned to provide 175 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet of torque compared with 134 hp and 231 pounds-feet of torque in standard guise. Other L200 versions are 4Life, 4Work, Trojan, Warrior and the top-of-the-line Walkinshaw, named for the famous British auto-racing team leader and car tuner Tom Walkinshaw.
