MITSUBISHI has six decades of pick-up production under its belt and it certainly means business with the latest versions of the L200.

The newcomers are the Single Cab 4Life and Club Cab 4Life models, which complete the L200 Series 5 family and come with improved specification, fuel economy and driving dynamics over their Series 4 predecessors, as well as meeting latest European emission regulations.

While the L200 has an SUV-like drive and feel, the 4Life models are clearly designed for hard work.

Rugged build and a no-nonsense interior underline this vehicle’s mission is to earn its keep. That said, it is far from basic with a colour-coded front bumper, two-speaker radio/CD player, steering wheel audio controls, remote central door locking, manual air conditioning and front electric windows.

The Club Cab 4Life model driven here, also has a pair of rear-hinged rear doors that give access to two flip-up rear seats.

It rides on 16-inch alloy wheels with a full-size steel spare wheel, and adds a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob, two extra speakers and a driver’s seat height adjuster.

The vehicle retains the marque’s reputation for ruggedness and durability, and continues to have a flick-of-the-wrist four-wheel-drive system, which allows it to be driven permanently in either two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive on tarmac and off road.

Power comes from a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine producing 151 horsepower, linked to six-speed manual transmission, with Auto Stop and Go technology that cuts the engine when at a standstill and automatically restarts it.

Its braked towing capacity is a whopping 3,000kg and 750kg unbraked, with a maximum payload capacity of 1,045kg.

Mitsubishi’s L200 Series 5 pick-up has been winning awards since before it was launched in the UK. Top automobile weekly Auto Express named it Pick-Up of the Year in 2015 shortly ahead of its unveiling here – and it retained the title in 2016.

In addition, it was named Light Commercial Vehicle of the Year and Pick-up of the Year at the 2015 What Van? Awards.

And in 2016, the L200 came out on top in a head-to-head test against the new Toyota Hilux carried out by Auto Express. This followed on from the triple test against the new Nissan Navara and the Isuzu D-Max, where the L200 won with a five-star rating – the Nissan came second with four stars and the Isuzu took third place with three stars.

AUTO FACTS

Model: Mitsubishi L200 4Life Club Cab Manual

Price: £23,083

Insurance group: 9E

Fuel consumption (combined): 40.9mpg

Top speed: 105mph

Bed interior:

Length: 226.5cm/89.1in

Width: 147cm/57.8i.n

Height: 47.5cm/18.7in

Ground clearance (unladen): 20cm/7.8in

Fuel tank capacity: 16.5 gallons/75 litres

CO2 emissions: 180g/km

Warranty: Five years/ 62,500 miles