The van that built New Zealand

Have you ever noticed how many L300 vans there are? Seriously, take a look. If there’s one Mitsubishi that Kiwis have adopted, it’s this one.

It’s capable, easy to get along with and gets the job done with minimal fuss. Sounds a bit like the folks who drive them.

The latest L300 offers the choice of short or long wheel-base and very useful things like a tiny turning circle, powerful engine, doors on either side with the Long Wheel Base (LWB) version and the option of seats in the back with the Short Wheel Base (SWB).

It also comes with assurance of a van that is very popular indeed.

Built to work

The other reason you see so many L300s is because they’re designed to last. There’s a hard-wearing vinyl floor in the back. The components that do the hard yards are built to take it, like the doors, hinges, suspension and drive train. It all comes down to one thing: reliability, and years of it.

One van, two areas of expertise

The L300 platform is ideally suited to two distinct uses: cargo and passenger transport.

The SWB version lets you seat a total of 10 people in the van - 3 in the front and 7 in the back. Everyone’s got enough leg and headroom and, more importantly, everyone’s got a safety belt.

Even when fully loaded with passengers, there’s a healthy amount of rear luggage space, plus under-seat storage as well.

When used for cargo, the SWB gives you a total of 4,285 litres of cargo space. The LWB offers a huge 5,520 litres. In both vans, the interior construction has been designed to make the roof as high and the walls as wide as possible.

The power source

When you’re onto a good thing, you stick to it. This is the idea behind L300’s engine. It’s the famously reliable – and powerful – 2.4 litre petrol engine. It’s got the torque you need to carry or tow a large load. In fact, the only thing we’ve changed recently is the power output.

On the open road, its swift delivery of power makes it great for overtaking.

On the technical side, L300’s engine incorporates 16 valves. This improves the engine’s ability to breathe, also helping power and efficiency.

Controlling the fuel delivery is Mitsubishi’s ECI Multipoint Injection. This system uses a computer to continually calculate the precise air/ fuel mixture. So however fast or slow you’re going and whatever load you’re carrying, you’re always getting maximum available power and optimal efficiency.

Ever-faithful gearbox

For smooth delivery of power, L300 features our easy-to-use 5-speed manual transmission. The gearshift sits on a raised panel so it’s closer to your hand.

The gear ratios are exactly what a hard-working van needs to move loads and boot up to highway speeds.

Easy steering

Work is hard enough without steering adding to the effort. That’s why L300 steering is power assisted. It makes the van very light to turn, but still keeps the steering feeling responsive and firm.



One hard body

L300 is also safety conscious, with side impact-resistant beams on the sliding doors to protect passengers and cargo.

Even the chassis is built to withstand impact, with Y-beams at the front that absorb the energy of a collision.

Better handling means better driveability

Another advantage of our rally-inspired design is that it gives L300 the ability handle sharply. After all, the first step in reducing the harm of a collision is avoiding it altogether.

See what’s coming

L300 is also well known for its visibility. From the driver’s seat, you can see everything around you. It’s safer on the road and on the building site, when there are hazards all around you.

Child-proof locks in the back

The SWB variant protects young occupants from themselves with child-proof locks. This keeps kids inside the van till it’s safe for them to get out.