The fourth-generation Mitsubishi Shogun went on sale 1 February after selling 93,000 previous versions in the UK since 1983 and 6,000 new models are expected to be bought in the first 12 months. This time there is no petrol version of the three and five-door models but the four trim levels continue with Equippe, Warrior, Elegance and Diamond and there is no price increase despite improved equipment levels.The range has a modified and refined 3.2 four-cylinder engine and runs from £22,549 to £34,999, with 158bhp for the five-speed manual and 168bhp for the five-speed automatic. Most sales will be long wheelbase, high specification derivatives.Mechanically, Mitsubishi has reworked the monocoque chassis, refined the powertrain, and modified the suspension while it has fitted better equipment, notably adding a high technology 30GB hard disk drive navigation and music server system incorporating touch screen and reversing camera.For the 70% of loyal Shogun buyers who repeat their orders every time, the new Shogun is externally and internally different but it largely feels the same even it sounds slightly quieter.It's big and roomy with a loadbed providing 415 to 1120 litres in three-door versions and the bigger bodystyle takes 215 to 1790 litres depending on seats in use.The choice of body styles, weights and power outputs mean 0-62mph varies between 11.7 and 12.9secs but the maximum is a uniform 110mph.The overall fuel consumption is between 26 and 31mpg and emissions work out between 244 and 280gkms.My top range Diamond test model was supremely comfortable both on and off road and its 70cm wading depth and 22.5cm ground clearance combined with the highly flexible wishbone/ multi-link suspension gave it excellent articulation and cross country ability. Depending on model it tows up to 2.8 or 3.3 tonnes.The new Shogun is more of the same, but better than before.
