If you have been to have a look at the brand new Mitsubishi Raider, your eyes might behold the unmistakable triad emblem targeted inside the center of its beefy looking grille. However, as you let your eyes run the full length of the truck’s frame and test its styling cues, you will see something distinctive, yet very acquainted. Indeed, apart from a few fascia, frame, and cabin adjustments, the Raider is sincerely a Dodge Dakota. Yes, the tables had been reversed and Mitsubishi’s choose up truck is now a Dodge as opposed to the other way round. Beyond the plain similarities there are some differences between the fashions that gives the Raider a uniqueness all of its own.
Back throughout the 1970s and Eighties while Chrysler needed small automobiles and trucks to fill out its restricted line up, the employer tapped its enterprise dating with Mitsubishi to deliver what it wanted. Included in the mix became a small choose up truck, most currently the D50. When Chrysler advanced the midsized Dakota throughout the overdue Nineteen Eighties, the want for the small Mitsubishi truck decreased and by means of the early 1990s the D50 turned into no more.
Mitsubishi for its component has lengthy been a builder of small vehicles, however because the automaker commenced to sell motors within the North American market, its line up has grown considerably. Demand for a small Mitsubishi choose up truck dropped so the “Mighty Max” become discontinued from its line up. Eventually, the automaker determined to companion with DaimlerChrysler to promote rebadged Dakotas as Raiders.
The dating is smart because the Raider fills a void for Mitsubishi at the same time as permitting DaimlerChrysler to hold its truck building capacity high. As unusual as the relationship might also seem, Isuzu and General Motors are doing the same aspect as each Isuzu automobiles offered inside the U.S. Are rebadged GMC vehicles.
So, what sets the Raider other than the percent, mainly its Dodge cousin? Price for one. Starting out at around $19,000, the truck is priced as low as some of the smaller vehicles on the market which includes the popular Toyota Tacoma. Apparently, Mitsubishi wanted to have an entry stage model to meet predicted call for. Yes, bare bones variations of the Tacoma may be had for a good deal less, however that is what you get, naked bones. There isn’t any 4 cylinder Raider sold, you either get a 210 h-p V6 or a beefy 230 h-p V8 to power your Raider. The V8 is particularly attractive to individuals who tow as its pulling potential is a first rate 6500 lbs. Tranny picks encompass either four or five velocity automatics or a 6 velocity manny tranny.
The Raider comes available as both a 4×2 or a 4×4 and with or 4 door cab configurations. Seating potential may be as excessive as six passengers although you wouldn’t be as at ease driving in a Raider/Dakota with six human beings as you would be in a full sized Ram.
What many Raider fans will like is the extra care Mitsubishi gave to the indoors. Unlike the Dakota, the Raider comes with trim functions greater similar to a sedan than to a pick up truck. Sirius satellite tv for pc radio, Alpine audio system, the front bucket seats with heated leather surfaces, and power the whole thing are some of the capabilities that make the Raider a lot greater than a truck.
Ten years after the final “Mighty Max” choose up trucks have been sold by using Mitsubishi, a brand new truck has entered the fold thanks to an critical relationship with DaimlerChrysler. Perhaps the fulfillment of this relationship will spawn extra model sharing. Could we see a rebadged Dodge Ram quickly offered as a Mitsubishi? In in recent times of massive version sharing, anything is feasible.