2005 Mitsubishi Raider: A good Rebadged Joy!
When you were to examine the new Mitsubishi Raider, your eyes would behold the unmistakable triad logo centered in the middle of its beefy looking grille. Yet, as you let your eyes run the full length with the truck's body and have a look at its styling cues, you would see one thing completely different, yet incredibly familiar. Indeed, apart from some fascia, physique, and cabin alterations, the Raider is without a doubt a Dodge Dakota. Yes, the tables have already been reversed and Mitsubishi's pick up truck is now a Dodge rather than the other way around. Beyond the apparent similarities you will discover some variations in between the models that provides the Raider a uniqueness all of its personal.
Back through the 1970s and 1980s when Chrysler needed small automobiles and trucks to fill out its limited line up, the corporation tapped its company relationship with Mitsubishi to provide what it required. Included within the mix was a tiny pick up truck, most recently the D50. When Chrysler developed the midsized Dakota through the late 1980s, the require for the little Mitsubishi truck decreased and by the early 1990s the D50 was no a lot more.
Mitsubishi for its portion has long been a builder of smaller trucks, but because the automaker began to sell vehicles in the North American industry, its line up has grown appreciably. Demand to get a small Mitsubishi pick up truck dropped so the "Mighty Max" was discontinued from its line up. At some point, the automaker decided to partner with DaimlerChrysler to sell rebadged Dakotas as Raiders.
The relationship is wise as the Raider fills a void for Mitsubishi when permitting DaimlerChrysler to help keep its truck building capacity high. As odd as the relationship can seem, Isuzu and General Motors are performing precisely the same issue as each Isuzu autos sold within the U.S. are rebadged GMC trucks.
So, what sets the Raider apart from the pact, especially its Dodge cousin? Price for one particular. Beginning out at around $19,000, the truck is priced as low as some of the smaller sized trucks out there which includes the fashionable Toyota Tacoma. Apparently, Mitsubishi wanted to have an entry level model to meet expected demand. Yes, bare bones versions of the Tacoma will be had for considerably less, but that is definitely what you get, bare bones. There's no 4 cylinder Raider sold, you either get a 210 h-p V6 or possibly a beefy 230 h-p V8 to energy your Raider. The V8 is especially appealing to individuals who tow as its pulling capacity is actually a respectable 6500 lbs. Tranny selections contain either 4 or 5 speed automatics or a 6 speed manny tranny.
The Raider comes accessible as either a 4x2 or a 4x4 and with two or 4 door cab configurations. Seating capacity is usually as high as six passengers despite the fact that you wouldn't be as comfy riding in a Raider/Dakota with six persons as you would be within a complete sized Ram.
What quite a few Raider fans will like may be the further care Mitsubishi gave towards the interior. As opposed to the Dakota, the Raider comes with trim features far more akin to a sedan than to a pick up truck. Sirius satellite radio, Alpine speakers, front bucket seats with heated leather surfaces, and energy every thing are a few of the features that make the Raider much more than a truck.
Ten years after the last "Mighty Max" choose up trucks had been sold by Mitsubishi, a new truck has entered the fold due to an important relationship with DaimlerChrysler. Possibly the success of this relationship will spawn further model sharing. Could we see a rebadged Dodge Ram soon sold as a Mitsubishi? In today of extensive model sharing, something is feasible.
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