The Mitsubishi L200 has a new range-topping version on sale, going by the name of Barbarian. 
So is this now the best double-cab for jet ski owners? Asks Paul Guinness.

If you’re already wondering where the new Barbarian version of the hugely successful L200 double-cab pick-up fits into Mitsubishi’s line-up, the simple answer is that it’s the replacement for the previous Animal model. But it represents more than that, because if you specify your Barbarian with automatic transmission (as fitted to our test vehicle), it’s the first L200 to come with the five-speed set-up ‘borrowed’ from the Shogun. And, just as importantly, it also comes with permanent four-wheel drive – a novelty for those buyers more used to the tail-happy antics of an unladen truck with only a part-time system.

Inevitably, you pay a hefty price for such improvements, with the Barbarian Auto coming in at £22,924 plus VAT – quite a penalty, considering the five-speed manual version is listed at £21,649. And that’s not the only area where you’re punished for choosing the auto, thanks to an official ‘combined’ fuel consumption figure of 30.1mpg compared with 34mpg for the manual, plus CO2 emissions of 248g/km versus 218.

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