Mitsubishi L200 Set to Conquer the Pick-Up World

For Immediate Release 19th December 2005

ALL-NEW L200 PICK-UP SET TO TAKE 2006 BY STORM

. All new L200 range to go on sale 1st March 2006 . Prices start at £12,249 rising to £19,999 CVOTR . New range delivers even more value for money . New L200 Elegance introduced to attract SUV buyers . Euro IV 2.5 DI-D common rail turbocharged diesel engine with standard 134bhp . Improved fuel economy and performance . 160bhp power upgrade available from launch . Car-like driving dynamics with best in class turning circle . Option of auto transmission on high series derivatives . Super select 4WD plus stability and traction control standard on all high series derivatives – an industry first in the pick-up segment . Service intervals extended from 9,000 miles to 12,500 miles

The model line-up and pricing for the stunning new L200 pick-up has been announced by Mitsubishi Motors UK. In showrooms from the end of February, many prices have been reduced from the outgoing range with prices now starting at £12,249 CVOTR for the 4Work 4WD single cab rising to £19,999 CVOTR for the new range-topping double cab Elegance.

Keen pricing, generous specification, technical advancements and stunning styling make this new model an extraordinary proposition. The addition of a new more powerful engine, improved chassis and suspension plus the option of automatic transmission, super select 4WD and stability and traction control, makes this a pick-up range whose attraction will lie as much in its dynamic capabilities as its undeniable good looks. “ Mitsubishi Motors has been instrumental in the massive growth of the UK pick-up market – a segment which has grown 347% in six years from 7,553 units to 33,742 at the end of 2004. During this time the L200 has become the undisputed king of the pick-ups with the outgoing model still commanding a massive 48% of the retail market, and we have absolutely no intention of relinquishing our crown” commented Jim Tyrrell, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors UK.

Tyrrell went on to explain, “Dealers have already taken a considerable number of L200 orders including cash deposits, so if the reaction so far ahead of the launch is anything to go by, we have a very successful new model on our hands.”

With exterior styling based on Mitsubishi’s 10 times Dakar conquering Pajero Evolution, the L200 is the only UK pick-up to offer SUV-like manoeuvrability with a 5.9 metre turning radius and the only one to have stability and traction control and super select 4WD as standard on all high series models (i.e. 80% of total L200 sales). The newly designed double cab also boasts class-leading rear legroom making it number one in the segment for passenger comfort.

UK L200 Pick-Up Range 12 L200 derivatives will be available ranging from the practical single cab workhorse to the more luxurious Warrior and Animal double cabs. The newest member of the line-up, the L200 Elegance, combines a more subtle exterior with an equipment- packed interior and has been designed to appeal to the traditional SUV driver who wants the practicalities of a pick-up with the comfort, drivability and image of a more mainstream 4x4.

As with the current range, the L200 Warrior is expected to remain the best seller with its bold on-road image and high level of standard specification including 17” alloys, climate control, CD with MP3, alarm, keyless entry, central locking, power windows, power rear cab window, stability and traction control, super select 4WD, plus Warrior branded mats, door entry guards and exterior accessories.

Model Cab Manua Auto Standard Specification l 4Work Single £12,24 - ABS with EBD, limited slip diff, driver/passenger 9 airbags, CD player with MP3, easy select 4WD, manual Club £12,54 - height adjustable driver’s seat, 16” steel wheels 9 Double £13,59 - 9 4Life Single £13,49 - As 4Work plus Manual air conditioning, power 9 windows, keyless entry, central locking Club £13,94 - 9 Double £14,99 - 9 Warrior Club £15,94 - As 4Life plus Super select 4WD, stability and traction 9 control, rear electric glass window, climate control 17” Double £16,99 £17,79 alloy wheels 9 9 Animal Double £18,99 £19,79 As Warrior plus standard power upgrade to 160bhp, 9 9 Smartnav navigation, CD autochanger, Animal exterior and interior accessories Eleganc Double - £19,99 As Warrior plus, DVD satellite navigation, leather plus e 9 power heated seats, CD autochanger. N.B. Understated exterior with no chrome accessories, sports grille or resin guard 1. All prices are CVOTR (excluding VAT). 2. All models are fitted with the 134bhp 2.5DI-D engine with power upgrade to 160bhp available as an accessory 3. Club cab derivatives will go on-sale in August 2006

Even though the new L200 looks set to become a style icon amongst modern 4x4 pick-ups, beneath its sweeping exterior lines lies a powerful workmanlike structure that makes the L200 the toughest of contenders. Improvements have been made on all fronts including engine, body and frame construction, suspension and brakes.

New Engine At the heart of the L200’s strength lies Mitsubishi’s new 4-cylinder 2.5 litre common rail intercooled, turbocharged diesel engine giving 17% more horsepower, 30% more torque and a 26% increase in fuel economy than the outgoing model. The new 2477cc unit delivers improved all-round performance with a top speed of 103 mph, increased power from 114bhp to a standard 134bhp and improved torque from 177 to 231lb.ft. For those who require a few more horses under the bonnet a power upgrade to 160bhp will be standard on Animal and available as a dealer-fit option on all other derivatives. Overall this new engine is quieter, cleaner, faster, and more economical and achieves Euro IV emission levels.

Four Wheel Drive All models in the new range come equipped with Mitsubishi’s legendary 4WD technology. The line-up starts with vehicles using the tried and tested Easy Select 4WD system with a rear limited slip differential, combining the benefits of 2WD and locked 4WD in one easy-to-use system. The high-spec versions, however, get an ‘industry-first’ with the addition of Super Select 4WD to all Warrior, Animal and Elegance models. A significant advance over part-time systems, super select offers the benefits of 2WD, full-time 4WD and locked 4WD all in one package. This system has massive benefits for the driver as it allows the vehicle to be driven in 4WD on normal roads and is especially useful in terms of safety and traction when towing or driving in bad weather conditions.

Traction and Stability Control Along with Super Select 4WD, all high series L200s now also come with M-ASTC (Mitsubishi Active Stability and Traction Control) fitted as standard. This system, another unique offering in the pick-up segment, brakes and distributes power to each wheel individually so traction is maintained during tight cornering and on slippery surfaces, including off-road conditions. As a result of all this added technology, the L200 can rightly claim to be the most accomplished 4WD pick-up on the market.

Revised Chassis and Suspension But it’s not all about technology. The L200’s front suspension now adopts newly developed double wishbones with coil springs with the rear suspension using above- the-axle type leaf springs. Combined, these revisions enhance driving comfort by reducing vibration.

Improvements have also been made to the L200’s ladder frame. The new frame’s cross-section has been enlarged from 110mm to 145mm, drastically increasing frame rigidity and reducing body vibration whilst also enhancing straight-line stability.

Servicing and Warranty Ownership costs have come down with service intervals now extended for the new range from 9,000 miles to 12,500 miles and all models are covered by a comprehensive 3 year/100,000 mile and 6 year anti-corrosion warranty plus 3 year pan-European breakdown cover. The new L200 range officially goes on sale 1st March with many dealerships around the UK taking delivery of their first demo units in February. Mitsubishi Motors UK expects to sell 9,000 units in 2006 rising to 13,000 units in its first full year on the market.

“We are planning conservatively at the moment,” stated Sales & Marketing Director Lance Bradley. “However, this new vehicle is so good and so radically different from everything else on the road that it could fuel further growth of the pick-up segment just as it did between 2001 - 2003. If demand increases beyond the original plan, we will be ready to respond.”

Ends For further information contact: Gabi Whitfield, General Manager Press & Public Affairs g.whitfield@mitsubishi- cars.co.uk Nic Reglar, Press Officer Product Affairs & Events [email protected] Jodie Gooding, Press Officer Product Affairs & Press Fleet j.gooding@mitsubishi- cars.co.uk. All Mitsubishi press releases and pictures can be found on Newspress www.newspress.co.uk and the Mitsubishi media site www.mitsubishipress.co.uk

Note to Editors: Prices quoted are commercial vehicle on the road ‘CVOTR’ – excludes VAT but includes cost of delivery to the dealer’s premises, number plates along with 12 months RFL and DVLA first registration fee of £38.00

Quick Reference information

Model 0-62 Top Power Torque Combined CO2

Speed bhp/rp Lb ft / mpg g/km

mph m rpm Single Cab 14.6 103 134/400 231/200 32.8 228 0 0 Club Cab 14.6 103 134/400 231/200 32.8 228

0 0 Warrior Double Cab 14.6 103 134/400 231/200 32.8 228

0 0 Warrior Double Cab 17.8 102 134/400 231/200 29.7 252

Auto 0 0 Animal Double Cab TBC 103 TBC TBC TBC TBC

Man Animal Double Cab TBC 102 TBC TBC TBC TBC

Auto Elegance Double Cab 17.8 102 134/400 231/200 29.7 252

Auto 0 0

L200 SALES TOTAL Model 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 YTD 05 (Nov) Single 1225 897 443 497 369 262 792 642 Club 0 0 0 0 0 0 1030 958 Double 133 204 256 486 1077 1777 908 960 High 199 717 1231 3093 6695 10535 9449 8492 Series Total 1587 1818 1930 4076 8141 12574 12179 11042

TOTAL PICK UP MARKET 7553 8507 10811 12053 20313 27611 33742 31919

L200 TOTAL MARKET SHARE – RETAIL PLUS FLEET 21.0 21.4 17.9% 33.8% 40.1% 45.5% 36.1% 34.6% % %