Mitsubishi Eclipse Performance Review

If you were to look at the new Mitsubishi Raider, your eyes would behold the unmistakable triad symbol focused in the middle of its beefy looking grille. However, as you let your eyes run the full length of the truck's body and have a look at its styling cues, you would see something else, yet extraordinarily familiar. Indeed, aside from some fascia, body, and cabin changes, the Raider is without a Dodge Dakota. Yes, the tables have been reversed and Mitsubishi's pick up truck is now a Dodge instead of the other way around. Outside the obvious likenesses there are some differences between the models that gives the Raider a uniqueness all of its own.

Back in the 1970s and 1980s when Chrysler needed small cars and lorries to fill out its limited line up, the company tapped its business relationship with Mitsubishi to deliver what it needed. Included in the mix was a tiny pick up van, most not long ago the D50. When Chrysler developed the midsized Dakota in the late 1980s, the need for the little Mitsubishi van reduced and by the early 1990s the D50 was no more.

Mitsubishi for its part has long been a builder of little lorries, but as the automaker began to sell automobiles in the North American market, its line up has grown appreciably. Requirement for a small Mitsubishi pick up wagon dropped so the "Mighty Max" was canned from its line up. At last , 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 while allowing DaimlerChrysler to keep its van building capacity high. As odd as the relationship may appear, Isuzu and General Motors are doing the same thing as both Isuzu automobiles sold in the U.S. Are rebadged GMC trucks.

So, what sets the Raider apart from the pact, particularly its Dodge cousin? Price for one. Beginning about $19,000, the wagon is priced as low as some of the smaller vans on the market including the preferred 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 much less, but that's what you get, bare bones. There is no 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 especially appealing to those who tow as its pulling capacity is a respectable 6500 lbs. Tranny choices include either 4 or 5 speed automatics or a six speed manny tranny.

The Raider comes available as either a 4x2 or a 4x4 and with two or four door cab configurations. Seating capacity can be as high as six passengers though you would not be as comfy riding in a Raider/Dakota with six people as you would be in a full sized Ram.

What many Raider fans will like is the additional care Mitsubishi gave to the inside. Not like the Dakota, the Raider comes with trim features more akin to a sedan than to a pick up lorry. Sirius satellite radio, Alpine speakers, front bucket seats with heated leather surfaces, and power everything are just some 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. Maybe the success of this relationship will spawn additional model sharing. Could we see a rebadged Dodge Ram soon sold as a Mitsubishi? In today of extensive model sharing, anything is possible.

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