Mitsubishi L300

The Mitsubishi L300 was a pickup truck, which was offered by Mitsubishi in Europe since 1979. In this case it was the Mitsubishi Delica II 1998, the second generation by the Mitsubishi L400, which in turn corresponded to the 4th generation Mitsubishi Delica, replaced.

L300 (L0 1980-1986 ) Flatbed (L0 1983-1994 )

L300

1980, the L300 was first introduced in Germany. With the 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 48 kW (65 PS ), he spent less than 10 l/100 km. In contrast to the then leader VW Bus T2 it was designed as a mini van with two sliding doors and a modern for its time water-cooled engine in mid-engine design. In addition, there was also a van with two sliding doors, tailgate and 3 front seats. As of March 1983 offered Mitsubishi L300 also has a four-wheel drive, in which case the chassis was taken from the Mitsubishi Pajero. Also new was a 1.8 -liter gasoline engine with 60 kW/82 hp. A 3- seater Flatbed (automobile) as well as a chassis for bodies with a 1.6 L gasoline engine with 51 kW/70 hp came in April 1983 on the market. For the first time, there was now a 2.3 liter diesel engine with 50 kW/68 hp for the bus, which was also available for the van from September 1983. As of November 1984, the bus also the 70 hp gasoline engine of the pickup truck was optional. The import of the van ended in October 1986. In November 1986, followed by 2.0 l 65 kW/88 hp, the first petrol engine with a catalytic converter, the only remaining one available in addition to the 1.6 L with 51 kW/70 hp petrol engine to was to import the end of the minibus in February 1987. The Flatbed / Chassis received at the same time also a 2.5 liter diesel engine with 51 kW/69 hp and was sold until April 1994.

L300 platform with home construction

L300 II (P0 1987-1998 ) Flatbed (P0 1994-1999)

L300 II

In February 1987, a new generation in Germany that the Mitsubishi Delica III corresponded started. The chassis corresponded to its predecessor while the body and interior were completely new. In addition, the lack of rust protection of the first model had been thoroughly improved. Also the van / station wagon was new and now available in a version with a longer wheelbase and optional high roof. The standard version of the L300 II decreed again as a minibus nine seats spread over three rows of seats, with only the driver's seat was designed as a single seat. In this embodiment, decreed the L300 on steering wheel gearshift, while 2 single seats forward a normal placed next to the driver's seat manual gearbox was used. As wheel variant had the L300 eight and in the wagon version up to six seats. In addition to many technical innovations, there were almost without exception, new engines. In addition to the 1.6 L with 51 kW/69 hp and now the 2.0 L with 64 kW/87 hp catalyst and now now was the 2.0 L gasoline engine with 66 kW/90 hp or 83 hp and kw/113 available in a 2.4 L gasoline engine with 80 kW/109 hp. The diesel engine, already known from the flatbed had grown in size to 2.5 L and 51 kW/69 hp carried now (later 70 hp). In van / estate but there was next to the diesel engine only the 1.6 L and 2.0 L petrol engines catalyst variant. The Flatbed / Chassis of the previous model was still available with the 1.6 L petrol engine and the diesel engine.

In 1988 there was the van the diesel engine with turbocharger with 64 kW/87 hp from the Mitsubishi Pajero. 1990 2.4 L gasoline engine received an overhaul with 82 kW/112 hp and now catalyst. The 66 kW/90 hp variant of the 2.0 L petrol engine was now also a catalyst and made kw/88 65 hp four-wheel drive. Panel van / station wagon performance remained at 64 kW/87 hp.

1990 saw also the L300 luxury bus. This was a 7- seater bus with standard panoramic roof, variable seats in the passenger compartment, electric windows, central locking, auxiliary heater in the rear, electric blinds in the passenger area, Alloy Wheels, Power Steering, other fixtures along with different designed front compared to the other models and much more the starting price of 31,500 DM for the 66 kW/90 hp petrol variant.

As of 1991, the van / wagon with the 2.5 -L diesel engine was available with a turbocharger. 1994 was the 1.6 -liter petrol engine from the program and the van was used in combination with all-wheel drive available only with the diesel engine.

As of July 1994, the new flatbed / chassis was introduced with a 2.0 L gasoline engine with 85 kW/116 hp with catalytic converters. Starting in November, this was also available with the turbo diesel engine.

As of July 1996, the petrol engine of the pickup truck in replacing a power of 83 PS kw/113 with the previous catalyst equally powerful engine without a catalyst.

In the summer of 1998 ended the import of the L300 bus versions. The panel van / station wagon was imported until the appearing of the successor Mitsubishi L400 in autumn 1998. The flatbed was not imported until the summer of 1999 and remained without successors.

Due to the simple and robust ladder frame construction, the all-terrain four-wheel drive and the comparable low price of L300 was used mainly in mountainous areas as command vehicle and crew transport vehicle of the fire and the Technical Relief (THW ). Although at this time the use of minibuses was not yet widely used as a hearse in Germany, the model of relevant coachbuilders such as Rappold or Stolle has often been taken as a basis for the 2- casket version.

Later L300 van

L300 wheel

L300 luxury bus

L300 Dropside

Recall

In February 2006, Mitsubishi called into the construction in 1995 and 1996 L300 2.5 -liter diesel engine produced, because there the muffler can break. Thus, the manufacturer responded to those already published in 2004, but again covered up callbacks that ultimately reinforced Mitsubishi crisis.