Mitsubishi Shogun: Challenging Rover On Its Home Turf
Ever since the launch of first Shogun in 1982, Mitsubishi has made gigantic improvements in performance and productivity of their flagship, Shogun/ Pajero. After conquering Dakar Rally and establishing itself as one of the most versatile SUVs, Shogun started challenging the big guns in off-road category, Land Rover’s Range Rover and Toyota’s Land Cruiser.
Though both of its biggest competitors rarely came face to face on an off road race track with Shogun, they established their names through outstanding feats of reliability and durability. Toyota mainly focused on Asian and American markets yet it quickly became the number one alternative to British Rover when it was launched in Europe. Range Rover on the other hand focused on European market and garnered huge success because of its British origins and comfortable ride. With entry of Mitsubishi the two way battle quickly became a three way title match with title tilting towards Toyota’s corner on more instances leaving Shogun and Rover to compete for 2nd place.
With Mitsubishi Shogun, European auto market had its first hand experience with a real sport utility vehicle, as Shogun embodied the most distinct racing lineage. On the other hand Rover boasted luxurious feel and comfortable ride with no compromise on off road capability. Cruiser offered the best reliability and proved to be the most rugged among the three; currently Land Cruiser is used by UN in its philanthropic activities even on most rough terrains around the globe.
Where Rover relied on comfort and Cruiser on ruggedness, Mitsubishi Shogun engines became its distinct feature. They were small compared to Rover and Cruiser, yet they offered more responsive and efficient performance, thanks to lighter body of Shogun. Range Rover is often criticized for gulping down any fuel that goes in its tank, whereas Shogun offers big sedan like economy; with latest 3.2 litre diesel engine attaining 10km/ litre on urban roads. Unlike Range Rover, whose engines were built by BMW, Jaguar and now by Ford, Shogun uses Mitsubishi’s own engine, making Mitsubishi Shogun engines seem more harmonic in Shogun chassis than Rover’s.
Latest generation, 4th, of Shogun comes equipped with all the modern tools and gadgets that are available in a modern day, top of the line sedan or a luxury vehicle. From ABS to stability (M-ASTC) and from six airbags to inclusion of Bluetooth and Rockford audio/video system, shogun has it all and offers more at lesser price, making it best value for money in UK and Europe’s markets.
