Mitsubishi Raider Beast Of The Road

If you were to look at the new Mitsubishi Raider, your eyes would behold the unmistakable triad trademark targeted in the middle of its beefy looking grille. However, as you let your eyes run the full length of the truck's body and take a look at its styling cues, you would see something different, yet extremely familiar. Indeed, apart from some fascia, body, and cabin changes, the Raider is with no doubt a doubt a Dodge Dakota. Yes, the tables have been reversed and Mitsubishi's pick up lorry is now a Dodge rather than the other way around. Outside the obvious similarities there are some differences between the models that gives the Raider a uniqueness all of its own.

Back during the 1970s and 1980s when Chrysler needed small cars and trucks to to fill out its limited line up, the company tapped its business relationship with Mitsubishi to supply what it required. Included in the mix was a little pick up lorry, most recently the D50. When Chrysler developed the midsized Dakota during the late 1980s, the need for the tiny Mitsubishi truck decreased and by the early 1990s the D50 was no more.

Mitsubishi for its part has long been a builder of tiny trucks, but as the automaker started to sell vehicles in the North American market, its line up has grown appreciably. Demand for a little Mitsubishi pick up lorry dropped so the "Mighty Max" was abandoned from its line up. Ultimately , the automaker decided to partner with DaimlerChrysler to sell rebadged Dakotas as Raiders.

The relationship is smart as the Raider fills a void for Mitsubishi whilst permitting DaimlerChrysler to keep its lorry building capacity high. As odd as the relationship may seem, Isuzu and General Motors are doing a similar thing as both Isuzu cars sold in the U.S. are rebadged GMC trucks.

So, what sets the Raider except for the pact, particularly its Dodge cousin? Price for one. Beginning at around $19,000, the van is priced as low as some of the smaller vans on the market including the favored Toyota Tacoma. Reputedly, Mitsubishi wanted to have an entry level model to meet predicted demand. Yes, bare bones versions of the Tacoma can be had for far less, but that's what you get, bare bones. There's no four 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 especially appealing to those that tow as its pulling capacity is a respectable 6500 lbs. Tranny selections include either 4 or five speed automatics or a six speed manny tranny.

The Raider comes available as either a 4x2 or a 4x4 and with two or 4 doorway taxi configurations. Seating capacity can be as high as six passengers though you would not be as cosy riding in a Raider/Dakota with 6 folks as you would be in a full sized Ram.

What many Raider fans will like is the extra care Mitsubishi gave to the inside. Not like the Dakota, the Raider incorporates trim features more akin to a sedan than to a pick up wagon. Sirius satellite radio, Alpine speakers, front bucket seats with heated leather surfaces, and power everything are a few of the features that make the Raider far more than a truck.

Ten years after the last "Mighty Max" pick up trucks were sold by Mitsubishi, a new van has entered the fold thanks to an important relationship with DaimlerChrysler. Perhaps the success of this relationship will spawn further model sharing. Could we see a rebadged Dodge Ram soon sold as a Mitsubishi? In these days of intensive model sharing, anything is possible.

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