SMALL WONDER (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 90

The Shogun Pinin is Mitsubishi's offering in the baby 4x4 sector. With the Japanese giant's range of 4x4s becoming increasingly varied, the Pinin draws on the strong brand image of the Shogun name and adds a touch of Italian flair. Designed with the help of the famous Pininfarina studio, the Shogun Pinin is just the sort of compact, rugged urban runabout that sell well on the used market. With used examples now starting to appear in small numbers, a Pinin makes an interesting alternative to the usual small family hatchback.

Modelsword count: 10

Models Covered: (3 dr 4x4 1.8 petrol [base, GLX, GLS])

Historyword count: 158

The Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin's history won't take too long to recount. Launched in the UK in late 1999, the first cars were delivered to British customers in January 2000. The range was built around one engine, the 1.8-litre GDI gasoline direct injection unit, and three trim levels, base, GLX and range-topping GLS. Automatic transmission was offered as an option on the GLS and GLX models. Two special edition models have appeared, the Attivo (based on a GLX) and the Vivo (GLS-based) offering the standard enticement of lots of additional equipment for a modest additional outlay. A five-door variant with a 2.0 GDI engine was announced in mid 2001 and by late 2001 all Pinins were powered by this engine. All that changed in early 2002 when the budget 1.8-litre MPI engined models were introduced. These were fitted with permanent four-wheel drive and represented keen value for money. The Pinin slipped quietly from the Mitsubishi price list in 2006.

What You Getword count: 323

The Shogun Pinin may sell largely to trendy city types, but it's no duffer when the going gets tough. On the contrary, it's one of the most accomplished cars in its class when conditions get rough, thanks to a gearbox that allows power to be shifted from rear to four-wheel drive at speeds of up to 62mph. Should things get truly tricky, there are also high and low gear ratios with a centre differential lock. As a result, this car will ford a river, find its way through a boggy forest - or indeed scale the up-ramp at your local multi-storey carpark. Mitsubishi has designed it to do all three but knows that on-road performance is all that will really matter to most customers. For the time being, only a single three-door version is being made available, though a five-door variant isn't too far off. Equipment is pretty much as you'd expect from a Japanese car of this kind: dual airbags and central locking on the base model, electric windows, sunroof and mirrors on the GLX and air conditioning and ABS on the GLS. Inside, there's nothing particularly remarkable about the dash layout, though some effort at uniqueness has been made with silver textured strips that divide the facia. There's also a dash-top screen for the radio and trip computer display which can also be used for the satellite navigation system (check first to see if your prospective purchase has it fitted) - unusual in this class of 4x4. Since the car is just 3735mm long and 1695mm wide, you shouldn't be expecting too much in terms of rear passenger or luggage space. Sure enough, rear legroom is nominal, while the luggage compartment can just about handle a couple of slimline briefcases. Still, supportive height-adjustable seats mean that front seat passengers are much better off, even if the driver has to do without the adjustable steering wheel that would have bought complete comfort.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227