You can't argue with the Mitsubishi importers when it comes to marketing pickups. Last year, and in the first quarter of this year, the L200 in its various forms, brought in from Thailand, took almost 50% of the UK market, and in March it outsold all the opposition - from the likes of Ford, Toyota, Nissan and Mazda - added together.As well as the workhorse versions for farmers and contractors, Mitsubishi knows that, especially with the tax concessions available for one-tonne types, there's a handy market among families with leisure interests involving boats, horses and so on. A Double Cab pickup can be promoted as a weekend "second car" able to take four or five people as well as a load of sailing gear or riding tack.The importers are also well aware that there's a market within a market for "lifestyle" variants, often with spectacular colour schemes and loaded with accessories, with more extra-cost options packing the catalogue pages. Hence the . . . well, outrageous Animal models, and to a slightly lesser extent the 4Life.Our test 4Life came complete with an extra-cost silver-topped Bjerg Cap metal cargo area cover - lockable, although not to the extent of being jemmy-proof. The car was finished in two-tone Palma Red over Chromatic Silver Metallic, two colours which are, singly, among the ones available on the more workmanlike GL Double Cab models.Although you couldn't call this colour scheme unobtrusive, it's popular with customers and actually suits the vehicle rather well. There are at least two more of the same persuasion in the CARkeys neck of the woods. It certainly makes the bonnet scoop for the intercooler stand out.The 4Life has really in-your face front-end styling, which helps to give the head-on impression, although this isn't the intention, of the L200 as being high and narrow. In fact, it has a roomy front cabin, there's better rear legroom than in several of its rivals, and the very squared-off roofline means that, despite the high floor, back-seat passengers have generous headroom.Of course, despite all that, the 4Life is actually a light commercial in its basic design and construction, with non-cosseting suspension plus very big wheels and tyres. That's obvious when you venture off anything but smooth tarmac. On rumpled public roads, and on some stony farm tracks I tried, what you get is plenty of bounce to the ounce.On the other hand, this is an unexpectedly pleasant machine on normal tarmac roads. The latest specification 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine is a big advance on its predecessor, in both diesel and turbocharging features. Power output is up, although the torque remains the same. But with 177lb/ft at 2000rpm, who's complaining? Balancer shafts are fitted, and sound levels are restrained.All this makes the 4Life a pretty lively road performer. It handles in a much more composed way than some earlier 4x4 pickups, sweeping it into corners is no trouble, and, despite what's been said earlier about the heavy-duty suspension on rougher or bumpier going, the ride quality on ordinary roads is fine. The test car also took the local CARkeys hump-backed bridge, at fair speed, with unexpected aplomb.Inside, the 4Life has a good driving position and instrumentation which includes an inclinometer. Visibility is very fair, although you have to bear in mind when manoeuvring that, as well as the two banks of seats, there's a long load bay behind. For reversing, the 4Life is fitted with massive door mirrors, which offer a certain amount of overkill in the fact that they're chrome plated. The L200's LCV connections are made obvious by the fact that the four-wheel drive pickups have a massive 42-foot turning circle.As a load carrier or tow vehicle the 4Life scores high marks. The almost square double-walled load bay measures 1.5 metres from front to back, and only just under that at its widest point. Maximum payload is 1065kg, somewhat less than for the GL.For off-roading, there's a transfer box with 4H and 4L settings as well as the normal-road 2H two-wheel drive high. The latest L200 uses the same system of selecting 2WD or 4WD on the move at up to 62mph as is fitted to the Shogun Sport. That's another advance on the previous pickup. But you have to stop the vehicle, make sure the transmission is in 2H, and switch off the engine, if you want to unlock the freewheel diff.The 4Life is ruggedly built, and it should give a good account of itself in off-road situations of the necessary but not ludicrous kind, although it's a version of the L200 obviously more likely to be bought by people looking for leisure or hobby transport.Second opinion: For all its undoubtedly appealing features, the L200 isn't in any way a "lifestyle" vehicle - it's very definitely a serious workhorse with reasonable room for four people. This room is compromised by the fact that the floor is very high, which among other things means that tall drivers will tend to have their legs splayed out. When I was in fifth gear I found that the lever was competing for space with my left knee. This gear is also quite low, which makes the L200 a spritely performer but also means that any speed above 60mph sounds a bit strained. Overall, it's not much use if you don't have any serious work to throw at it, but a thoroughly sensible proposition if you do. David Finlay. Engine 2477cc, 4 cylinders Power 113bhp Top speed 94mph Price £15,995 (excluding VAT) Details correct at publication date
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