The Series 6 L200 pick-up is expected on these shores any day now but, if your patience is wearing thin, you can pick up a limited edition version of the current model.

So, what’s special about it?

It’s based on the Warrior trim, but the exterior gains lots of black detailing, including wheel arch extensions, unique 17-inch alloy wheels, front grille and bumper accents, front fog light surrounds, side steps, door mirrors and handles and rear bumper.

There’s a choice of just three colours: White, grey or black.

This is a relatively compact, and light, vehicle – for a pick-up – and is 134mm narrower than VW’s Amarok. Don’t be fooled, however, this is still a very capable and capacious machine.

The load bay is 1,470mm square and 475mm deep. There are six lashing points and grooves cut into the load bay floor can be used to separate cargo.

The Challenger is based on the Warrior trim, so in the cabin you can expect heated leather seats, reversing camera, dual-zone climate control, automatic wipers and a mildly irritating lane departure warning system that is on by default every time you start the car. Admittedly, the button to deactivate it is within easy reach, but it’s obscured by the steering wheel rim, which makes finding it just a little more troublesome than it should be.

Other driver’s aids include hill-start and trailer stability assist.

The seven-inch infotainment system is equipped with sat nav but, if you prefer, you can connect your smartphone with AppleCar Play and Android Auto.

Like the model that it’s based upon, it adds up to a decent level of equipment, and it’s all bolted together very securely. The cabin is spacious but, while it all looks like it could go a few rounds with Clubber Lang, the quality of some of the plastics could be better. The switchgear looks a little dated too, but these are issues that I’m sure Mitsubishi will be addressing in the new model.

There’s plenty of room to sit three adults across the rear bench, I’ve two sisters and a brother-in-law who will gladly act as witnesses to that fact if required, with generous head and leg room.

There’s a woeful lack of storage space with just a bin between the seats, small door pockets and a glovebox that is not much more than a box, for your gloves.

The instrument cluster is nice and clear and the controls nice and chunky. The Super Select 4x4 control dial – which offers four modes of drive – sits behind the gear lever while your chosen mode is indicated on simple black and white display between the speedo and rev counter.

Under the bonnet of all L200s is the 2.4-litre MIVEC diesel engine and its common-rail injection, variable valve timing and aluminium construction help it set the bar high on performance and efficiency grounds.

All models get 181bhp and 430Nm bar the 4Life, which has to make do with 151bhp and 380Nm, and certainly the higher power output made for surprisingly potent performance. There’s enough torque to get the rear wheels spinning up from a standing start (entirely accidental, I promise) even on dry tarmac, although that won’t help you hit 62mph in the claimed 10.4sec.

Press on hard and you’re left in no doubt that this is primarily a working vehicle – the diesel clatters away audibly under heavy acceleration – but once you’ve settled down at cruising speeds it’s a very refined unit and noise levels in the cabin are commendably low.

The ride is composed, although particularly poor surfaces with large cracks and craters can send shudders through the cabin, and there’s admirable control of lateral movement through corners despite its tall profile. There’s a bit of bounce present when there’s no weight in the back but it does little to diminish the ride quality and, over smooth roads, the L200 holds its own against most passenger vehicles.

The steering can feel overly assisted at low speeds but manoeuvring the L200 in tight spaces still requires some effort thanks to the number of turns, lock to lock. It’s reasonably responsive around the straight ahead and you do get some information fed back to your fingertips from the front wheels.

There’s no disguising the fact that the L200 is a working vehicle and it will fulfil that single purpose exceptionally well. However, should you also need reasonably comfortable, efficient and spacious accommodation, the Mitsubishi has got you covered on that front too. There are various load bay covers that add to its appeal and ability as fully-fledged family transport.

If you can live with the dated switchgear and lack of cabin storage – and let’s be honest, who can’t – then the L200’s versatility makes it a strong contender in this class. The question you’ll need to ask yourself is whether it’s worth paying the premium over the standard model for the exterior changes.

Mitsubishi L200 Challenger

Price: £29,105

Engine: 4-cylinder DOHC common rail with intercooler and turbocharger

Transmission: 5-speed automatic

Max power: 178bhp

Max torque: 317lbft @2,500rpm

Max speed: 111mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 10.4sec

Urban: 34.9mpg

Extra urban: 49.6mpg

Combined: 42.8mpg

Emissions (CO2): 173g/km

For more information visit www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk