Mitsubishi L200 Walkinshaw Performance

Go back a couple of years and double-cab pick-up trucks were so popular that they formed the backbone of some Japanese brands’ business in the UK.

With rising concerns over fuel efficiency, taxation and emissions, the trend has moved on. But products like the L200 Walkinshaw Performance continue to tempt customers who’ve stayed with the family workhorse.

This special edition variant comes with a raft of extra equipment to boost its appeal. Decals, 20in alloy wheels and stainless steel door handles, tailgate cover and fuel cap distinguish it externally. 

On the inside, there’s leather seats, DVD sat-nav, climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and a CD-changer and 420-watt audio system.

All this means that, while the L200’s curviness might be a little odd compared to the chunkiness of its rivals, prospective buyers will soon forget that once they’re inside and the doors shut.

Power is increased significantly above the standard 134bhp, and buyers can specify a £2,985 dealer-fitted sports pack upgrade for a sportier SUV-like experience.

That replaces the rear leaf springs with multilink coil and damper suspension and includes a stainless steel twin exit exhaust system.

With these improvements, the truck certainly suffers less roll on bends and the turbodiesel engine delivers sufficient torque to haul it up to motorway speeds quickly, if rather noisily.

It’ll also pull caravans and horseboxes up to 2,700kg in weight.

The truck we tested had an odd-looking sloping rear cover fitted to the rear bed which didn’t enhance its styling, but ensured loads remained secure.