Mitsubishi Updates L200 Pickup Truck

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. has given its L200/Triton pickup truck a mid-cycle freshening that includes a new front-end, improved off-road capabilities and more safety features.

In line with the carmaker’s latest design language, the facelift gives the  L200 a more aggressive look with a narrow grille, high-mounted LED headlights and squared-off wheel arches. The previous wraparound taillights have been replaced with more traditional ones.

The interior gets higher-end materials and a touchscreen infotainment system. Optional tech features include blind-spot detection, forward-collision mitigation, lane-changing assist, rear cross-traffic alert and a new “miss-acceleration” intervention system that is designed to prevent inadvertently acceleration during reversing and other low-speed maneuvers.

Power comes from a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine that generates 178 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated with either a 6-speed automatic transmission—replacing the previous 5-speed automatic—or a 6-speed manual.

A new four-wheel-drive system includes an off-road mode—with several terrain calibrations—that can be turned on or off on the fly. Other goodies include hill descent control, a locking rear differential, larger front brakes and beefier rear shocks to improve ride comfort.

Mitsubishi will sell the new L200 truck in 150 countries worldwide, starting next week in Thailand. The vehicle won’t be available in the U.S. The carmaker says it has sold 4.7 million L200s since launching the pickup in 1978.