Mitsubishi L200 2.5l Turbo Diesel Invite

"New York, New York" the saying goes, "so good they named it twice." So good? Clearing immigration at Shannon is definitely a plus as the last thing you want to do is go through that process in JFK Airport with the most intimidating immigration officials in the world. Couple this with the worst airport, bar none, in the world and you start to query the proud boast of this crazy city. If anyone, anyone, complains about our lovely capital city airport you'll know they've never been to New York. Getting from the terminal to the car park is a nightmare too. Have they never heard of pavements and ramps for people with cases? After 7 hours of the finest US hospitality aboard a Delta airline, it's a very less than ingratiating welcome to the land where car is king.

It was pre-1993 the last time I was in the Big Apple and in the interim I started writing about cars. In motoring terms the US is the No.1 Car market and if "you can make it there, you can make it anywhere." Well making it there is a bit of a torturous affair judging by the quality of New York roads. Again, the guys who left /made that huge pothole near you in such a bad state recently are premier league players compared to the contractors who build/maintain US roads. To get around New York you would need something like the Mitsubishi L200.

This type of vehicle is very successful in Asian and American markets. It combines 4wd practicality with a double cab to carry passengers as well as having a big utilitarian pick-up section at the back. You really get an awful lot of metal for your €. A few years back the ever-entrepreneurial Irish businessman spotted a loophole in the VRT legislation. It allowed for double cab commercial vehicles to be levied at a much lower rate. They ploughed in and bought them by the truckload. The seriously VRT addicted Finance Minister fearing the end of the world moved swiftly to close the loophole and continued his sadistic pleasure in extracting the maximum amount of money from the Irish motorist. (I remain of the opinion that the next revolution in Ireland will not have ideological, political reasons but caused by the constant bending of the Irish Motorists back. One day, one day it will break.)

Those lucky to avail of the VRT loophole got a vehicle that was compromised. Sturdy springs made it a very bouncy ride and a turning circle more at home on an ocean liner made parking a nightmare. Luckily all that's been corrected in the New L200. It has the tightest turning circle in its class and the ride is considerably smoother. It looks very stylish and how a modern 4wd double cab pick-up should. It has all the creature comforts of a modern car type and you wont be found wanting for the latest must haves.

I found driving this a pleasure. It would get you to 100km/hr soon enough where its 2.5l turbo-diesel engine will happily sit all day propelling its nearly 3 tonnes along. A new and increasingly popular Irish pastime is customizing and there are rafts of readymade factory options available. The test vehicle had a matching pick-up cover with a hydraulic lid. You can go for the full cabin height cover if you like which has to be one of the best ways of transporting your dogs around.

All this metal is yours starting at, wait for it, €30,595 which, despite my recent experience in New York, is where we are beginning to get the benefit of all that transatlantic experience and get a bit of that US low pricing magic.

www.mitsubishi-motors.ie

RRP = €30,595

St. Patrick's CU Monthly Loan Repayment per €1,000. Rate = 6.5%
Tel: 01 632 5100 or 01 632 5125
3 Years = €30.64
4 Years = €23.71
5 Years = €19.56

Manufacturers Fuel Consumption Figs.:
Urban 10.7l/100km
Extra Urban 7.41/100km

New Car Assessment Programme Rating: To be Tested
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