Is an SUV? Is it a pickup? No, it’s the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport Commercial at the CV Show 2018

This is a bit of a curiosity – which is not the same as saying it’s bad – but Mitsubishi has launched a commercial vehicle version of the Shogun Sport SUV at the CV Show 2018.

What’s odd about that? Let us explain…

Shogun Sport Commercial joins established Mitsubishi SUV van range

The first slightly strange thing is that Mitsubishi already has two SUV-derived commercial vehicles – the Shogun Commercial and the Outlander Commercial – and the market for these kinds of vehicles has never ever been particularly big.

Although that hasn’t stopped Toyota launching the commercial version of the Land Cruiser at the CV Show, either.

The second thing that’s a tad unconventional is that the Shogun Sport is an SUV that’s based on the Mitsubishi L200 pickup truck – so this new model has gone from being a commercial vehicle to being a car to back to being a commercial vehicle.

The third and final puzzle is that Mitsubishi has chosen to base the Commercial version on the Shogun Sport’s top specification level – Shogun Sport 4 – rather than a stripped back entry-level variant.

Still, at least it’s not got lots of orange tat stuck to the outside, eh?

Clearly Mitsubishi must have a very particular kind of customer in mind; one that needs a van but doesn’t want the world that they’ve got one, and isn’t prepared to give up any creature comforts in the process. Plus having a decent bit of off-road capability is clearly a plus.

Sound like you? Then read on.

Mitsubishi Shogun Sport Commercial load area and practicality

As per the commercial 4x4 norm, the Shogun Sport has just the two front seats, the rear bench having been stripped out and replace with a flat load lining that ends at a bulkhead just behind the remaining pair of chairs.

This leaves 1,500 litres of secure load space – that’s 1.5 cubic metres in van terms – in a vehicle that can tow 3,100kg. Pretty versatile so far, but we’ve no information about payload just yet.

The rear side windows are tinted black as standard, but you can have steel panels if you prefer. The load area is lined with carpet, which should be good for refinement and smell much better than the horrid rubber stuff Mitsubishi puts in the Outlander Commercial.

How does the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport Commercial compare to the L200?

The Shogun Sport’s power is provided by the L200’s familiar 181hp 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine – no bad thing, as this is punchy and relatively refined – but it’s hooked up to a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

That’s a significant upgrade over the old five-speed auto that’s still fitted in the pickup.

The L200 can now tow up to 3,500kg, with an appropriate trailer, but both vehicles use the Mitsubishi Super Select II all-wheel drive system, which can be switched from rear- to four-wheel drive while on the move.

Mitsubishi Shogun Sport Commercial standard equipment

There’s plenty of that. These are the highlights:

On top of that you get a bunch of safety kit as well:

This last spots and stops unintentional sudden acceleration into nearby objects. In theory.

How much does the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport Commercial cost?

Sadly Mitsubishi isn’t saying yet, as it’s still a few months away from going on sale. The vehicle is unique to the UK market.

As soon as we have more information, we’ll let you know. Look out for a review of the Mitsubishi Shogun Sport Commercial soon.

Also read:

A-Z of the CV Show on Parkers Vans

Mitsubishi launches Barbarian SVP II at the CV Show 2018

Return of the Ford Fiesta Van at the CV Show 2018

Full details of the Toyota Land Cruiser Utility Commercial