Never has a pick-up looked so sleek, so stylish, so twenty-first century. Never has a pick-up driven so well: its 2.5 litre, DOHC, direct injection diesel engine, designed to cope with the continuous high-speed motoring demanded of a vehicle which goes far beyond the workplace, produces almost 20% more power, 30% more torque, and, at 32.5 mpg on the combined cycle, almost 20% greater fuel efficiency than its predecessor. Its part-time four-wheel drive system boasts full-time capability, unique amongst its peers, and benefits from electronic active stability and traction control never before seen in a pick-up. Its suspension takes lessons from the Shogun, as does its steering, resulting in a vehicle with a massively improved turning circle - indeed, compared with any other pick-up it really does turn on a sixpence!

Of course, when you needed to take a harder road the L200 has always left the competition standing - any competition, as proved with an outright win in the FIA World Cross Country Rally Championships two years ago. This new L200 follows in the family footprints (look at it closely and you'll recognise the Mitsubishi Truck Evolution which raced at Dakar earlier in the year). It's tough and it's strong: an even more substantial ladder-frame chassis means a safer, more stable vehicle - torsional rigidity is improved by as much as 50%, in fact. Better ground clearance, approach and departure angles and the brand new traction control system mean even more amazing ability off-road, whilst the full-time four-wheel drive facility and optional automatic transmission make lighter work of towing.

Step inside the new L200 and you'll soon see that never has a pick-up afforded so much space. The double cab has the biggest cab in its class by a mile - the rear is positively enormous. Packed into that space will be all the comforts of home, plus a few others besides: there's air conditioning, height-adjustable driver's seat, CD player with MP3 capability, satellite navigation and electric windows all round - even the rear one in to the back! The dash is superbly ergonomic with chunky controls for ease of use, whilst build-quality has been taken to new heights with vastly improved finishes and exceptional attention to the finer points.

Those in the know have always regarded Mitsubishi as the cleverest of car companies - quietly forging a path for others to tread. This new L200 pick-up is no exception - the goalposts have moved once again!

*Specification dependent upon mode