Mitsubishi Shogun 3.5 Di-D SWB GLS

As a prior owner of a '97 3.0 V6 SWB the first obvious improvement is cabin interior, which although still characterstic of the Japanese car in quality plastic has been well designed and detailed to detract and give a quality feel.

The engine of the Mitsubishi Shogun 3.5 Di-D SWB GLS is very smooth although on-road in 2WD the torque from 1st gear is difficult to deliver smoothly, a head jerker if you try o accelerate from the lights too quickly. Whilst off-road this is "spot on", even in clutchless manual mode the gear box will not allow a 2nd gear start unless you move a meter and then flip-up the stick ... by then your coffee is on your lap though. However from 2nd to the 5th the motor purrs with delight, still a wee bit smokey on foot down situs but it's a big engine...

Top end speeds the new Shogun "likes" 80mph but you can hear the fuel rushing past your ears beyond that, she'll go up to 100mph+ as desired and cabin noise has been dramatically reduced. Normal urban driving returns a 19.5 mpg average...

Some of the expected simple features such as front seat memory button are missing, when you allow a passenger to enter the rear it is required to reset the seat backrest ... bit of a pain that. Seats are comfy, controls easy but as before some hidden from sigh whilst driving unless your 5 foot as is the typical Japanese driver whom the car is designed for and the climate control fast to respond even from engine start.