Mitsubishi’s impressive L200 pickup truck – runner up in the pickup category of the 2018 Parkers New Car Awards – has been upgraded, and can tow up to 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg).
This means the fifth-generation Mitsubishi L200 matches the best-in-class towing rating of its strongest rivals, but does so while maintaining the payload advantage that comes with its lightweight construction.
As a result, when towing those 3.5 tonnes, you can legally carry more in the back of the L200 than you can with any pickup competitor.
There is some small print, however, so keep reading for full details of the enhanced 2018 Mitsubishi L200.
How has Mitsubishi upgraded the L200 to tow 3.5 tonnes?
The improvement comes courtesy of additional reinforcement to ‘key load-bearing areas’ of the L200’s chassis.
But despite this extra strengthening, the 3.5-tonne towing rating only applies to braked three-axle trailers. When combined with braked one- and two-axle trailers, the L200 remains restricted to 3.1-tonne towing, as it was before.
Unbraked trailers of any kind are limited to 0.75 tonnes (750kg), as per legislation.
Is there an advantage to using a three-axle trailer?
Mitsubishi gives the following advantages to three-axle trailers:
- Greater straight-line stability
- Increased braking power
- Improved weight distribution
- Better low-speed manoeuvrability
- Easier to control should you experience a tyre blow out
Of course, it would say all that, given the L200’s limitation here. But largely those advantages do make sense.
Regardless of what you’re towing, the L200’s standard-fit Trailer Stability Assist uses the truck’s brakes to counteract ‘snaking’.
Class-leading combined payload for the L200
The L200 is one of the lightest pickups in the sector, and as such has always been able to carry more in the load area than most competitors while towing to its maximum legal amount.
This class-leading performance continues with the 3.5-tonne upgrade, as up to 590kg is legally permitted in the load area when towing to that level.
The load area itself remains relatively small, though, and maximum payload when not towing is still limited to 1,060kg (depending on version) – someway behind the likes of the Ford Ranger and VW Amarok.
Best double cab pickups for payload
Any other changes to the Mitsubishi L200 for 2018?
There’s a new infotainment system called Smartphone Link Display Audio – or SDA for short.
This offers touchscreen and voice control, as well as improved smartphone integration, as the name suggests – including the ability to use the phone’s sat-nav on the L200’s integrated screen.
Naturally the SDA also integrates the reversing camera where fitted.
Mitsubishi has also added a heavy-duty towbar to the options list to cope with the increased towing rating.
The upgraded L200 is on sale now. Prices start at £19,000 (plus VAT), and the Mitsubishi remains a great value all-rounder.
There’s no word yet on whether the platform-sharing Fiat Fullback also gets the towing upgrade, but we have asked the question and will report back once we’ve heard.
Also read:
Mitsubishi L200 full review on Parkers Vans
New pickups coming soon – and recent launch round-up
Nissan Navara snapped chassis issue – everything you need to know
