Mitsubishi Shogun first drive

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Although UK new car sales stalled in July they are 15% up year to date over the same period last year.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders say that MPV and dual purpose SUV type vehicles, which include 4x4s, have actually increased their sales to account for one in eight new vehicles sold.

Whether it is the thought of the approaching increase in Vat from January to 20% or the resurgence in family activity holidays through caravanning, camping or self catering or perhaps people not being harassed by the eco-police and anti 4x4 lobby or even perhaps remembering the chaotic road conditions we experienced during the last two Winters, it appears versatile, do it all 4x4s are back on the buying agenda.

Mitsubishi, long time stalwarts in the 4x4 market with their Shogun, Outlander, the new ASX and the L200 Double Cabs and Land/Range Rover are just two brands which are enjoying increased sales. Mitsubishi is up 36% so far this year and Land/Range Rover up by an impressive 63%.

The manufacturers of soft SUVs such as Nissan with the Qashqai and Peugeot with their excellent 3008 ‘crossover’ are all reporting increased sales.

Thankfully despite the ever increasing tax gathering imposed on motorists it isn’t putting customers off buying a vehicle fit for their purpose.

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Mitsubishi’s highly rated and long serving Shogun range was first brought to the UK in 1983 in three door form and two years later five door, seven seat versions arrived, the first heavyweight 4x4 with a multi-seat layout. Its introduction is credited with Land Rover being forced to bring their middle of the road workhorse Discovery to market. The Shogun was pitched at the right time between the hard working Land Rover and the elitist Range Rover. It appealed on price, durability, a long warranty and pure on and off road good driving manners and capabilities. Being a multiple winner of the Dakar Rally helped as well.

Today, next to the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Shogun or Pajero and Montero as it is known in other countries, is the world’s best selling 4x4. It can be found in most countries working for a living as well as providing day to day transport for all classes of people, royalty to renegades.

In the UK the Shogun finds favour not only with private users in towns, cities and the countryside but it is in service with the Police, Fire and Rescue Services, Utility providers, the Airport Authorities and of course the high profile Highways Agency.

The long serving Shogun heavyweight 4x4 has recently received a series of updates. All models, both three and five door, use an updated, cleaner, more fuel efficient 3.2-litre, DI-DC direct injection turbodiesel, four cylinder engine with more power and torque. Power has gone up from 168 to 197bhp; torque is up as well from 373 to 441Nm. There is more good news the engine now has a 14 to 20% reduction in CO2 emissions depending on the model and transmission and now ranging from 212 to 224g/km. Fuel economy has improved in line with those figures with three door models improved from 30.7 to 35.3mpg and the main selling five door automatics from 26.7 to 33.2mpg. The improved eco figures have not slowed the Shogun’s performance, top speed is increased to 111mph and 0-62mph now takes 11.1 seconds, par for the course for a diesel powered mud-plugger. The increased torque has certainly improved mid range response and will also benefit its towing performance plus climbing very steep gradients or wading out of tyre clinging deep mud.

There is the option of manual or automatic transmissions depending on which level of specification is chosen and the five speed automatic has a tiptronic type sports mode. Traction Control and Active Stability Control are both standard fit items. Prices range from £26,499 to £37,999 and to keep running costs to a reasonable level Mitsubishi offers a three-years/37,500 service plan for £420.

There are Equippe, Elegance, Warrior and Diamond versions covering all the customer bases from workhorse to executive business users. All are heavyweight 4x4s, imposing to look at, reasonable on-road handling but brilliantly capable off road or in bad road conditions. All models have a selectable all wheel drive system; high ratio two and four wheel drive, high ratio ‘locked’ differential four wheel drive and low ratio locked all wheel drive. The use of these different modes couldn’t be simpler. A transfer gear lever is just pushed to the function required, no clumsy iControllers, computer scroll switches or push buttons, just select what drive you need and it is there immediately, no guesswork at all. In the past the Shoguns used to have the option of a ‘lock’ for the rear differential but this has be surpassed with a limited slip rear differential which improves the on-road manners, traction and handling.

My test model was the Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 DI-DC Elegance 5-Door Auto priced at £34,999, not cheap you might think but still competitive when you compare it against the heavyweight 4x4 competition for ability and specification.

I have been lucky enough over many years to have driven Shoguns of many generations in many countries around the world, on road, in sand, snow, swamps, jungle, over mountains, in the sea, in motorsport action and even an amphibious prototype. Fitted with the correct grippy tyres the Shogun is close to being the ultimate off-roader off road but not at the expense of it being horrible to drive on road. There is no point having ultimate off-road traction if the on-road performance is too poor to live with. That really has been the success element of the Shogun, real 4x4 capability plus strength and durability, a versatile interior for multiple passenger carrying or load space and a high level of specification. Today’s Shoguns continue to be very capable tow vehicles with braked towing weights ranging from 2,800 to 3,500kg. No surprise then of their popularity with the recovery services, farmers, caravaners, boat towers, equestrians and of course travellers.

Depending on personal taste the Shogun visually will not appeal to all-comers. Perhaps it is a bit too brash and glitzy for some ‘sophisticates’ and its Tonka Toy styling might not go down with the ‘yummy mummy’ brigade on the school run but it is big, strong, offers excellent vision from the interior, easy to get in and out off and, roomy, it is tough and shrugs off the dents and scrapes which occur in the urban or rural jungles we negotiate daily.

It offers a comfortable ride, pretty well balanced for a big 4x4 but it rolls during cornering but never so much as to feel unstable. The five door model is easy to drive, better than its 4,900mm of length suggests. The handling is trustworthy, the visibility first rate, the steering positive and the braking strong. In automatic form gear selection is a doddle and even the transfer lever selection is literally child’s play.

Specification is very comprehensive, electrically operated windows and door mirrors, climate control air conditioning, heated front seats, leather upholstery, a full array of airbags, alarm and keyless entry and 18-inch alloy wheels. Special mention as well for the impressive 30GB hard disk drive navigation system with Rockford Fosgate 860W 12-speaker premium audio system, a music server complete with colour touch screen and rear view camera.

The rear row of two bench seats which gives it maximum passenger carrying options folds flat into the floor when not in use creating a large load space of 1,790-litres. The rear seats can only really be used for short trips, they are minimal in comfort and difficult to get in and out off. But they will appeal to some families where their children have playmates or the school run is a shared rota system. I know - been there done that, sorry my wife has. With the third row in use, boot space is minimal 215-litres.

Of course the latest Shogun is not going to be acceptable or perfect for all customers in the heavyweight 4x4 market because of its workhorse status. It isn’t a perfect vehicle but it is a very good one. Unfortunately there is still considerable snobbery involved in this sector, “mine’s posher than yours old chap” still applies in some social circles. But the Shogun cannot be overlooked on price or capability by anyone who is remotely astute.

MILESTONES. Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 DI-DC Elegance Automatic 5-Door. Price: £34.999. Engine/transmission: 3.2-litres, four cylinder, high pressure direct injection turbodiesel, 197bhp, 352lb ft (441Nm) from 2,000rpm, 5-speed auto with high and low ratio transfer box with rear or all wheel drive selection. Performance: 111mph, 0-62mph 11.1 seconds, 33.3mpg (28.6mpg on test), CO2 224g/km, VED First Year road tax £550 then £245 for the second year onwards, BIK company car tax 35%. Insurance group: 34A. Load capacity: 215-1,790-litres. Maximum braked towing weight: 3,500kg.

For: Superb off road ability, easy to drive on road, much improved engine performance, better fuel economy, lower emissions, high specification, strong and well built, seats up to seven people, three years unlimited mileage warranty. Against: Overdue for a styling change rather than another facelift. Miles Better News Agency Girlracer magazine

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