2008 Mitsubishi Raider: Your Rebadged Enjoyment!

In the event you were to examine the new Mitsubishi Raider, your eyes would behold the unmistakable triad logo centered in the middle of its beefy searching grille. Yet, as you let your eyes run the complete length with the truck's body and check out its styling cues, you would see something unique, yet really familiar. Indeed, apart from some fascia, physique, and cabin changes, the Raider is devoid of a doubt a Dodge Dakota. Yes, the tables happen to be reversed and Mitsubishi's pick up truck is now a Dodge instead of the other way about. Beyond the obvious similarities you'll find some variations amongst the models that offers the Raider a uniqueness all of its own.

Back through the 1970s and 1980s when Chrysler necessary smaller vehicles and trucks to fill out its limited line up, the company tapped its business enterprise relationship with Mitsubishi to supply what it needed. Included within the mix was a smaller pick up truck, most recently the D50. When Chrysler created the midsized Dakota throughout the late 1980s, the require for the little Mitsubishi truck decreased and by the early 1990s the D50 was no extra.

Mitsubishi for its part has extended been a builder of little trucks, but as the automaker began to sell autos inside the North American marketplace, its line up has grown appreciably. Demand for a modest Mitsubishi pick up truck dropped so the "Mighty Max" was discontinued from its line up. Eventually, 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 though permitting DaimlerChrysler to keep its truck building capacity high. As odd because the relationship might possibly appear, Isuzu and General Motors are performing the identical issue as each Isuzu autos sold inside the U.S. are rebadged GMC trucks.

So, what sets the Raider apart from the pact, particularly its Dodge cousin? Cost for 1. Beginning out at about $19,000, the truck is priced as low as a few of the smaller trucks out there like the well-known Toyota Tacoma. Apparently, Mitsubishi wanted to have an entry level model to meet expected demand. Yes, bare bones versions from the Tacoma could be had for substantially 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 a beefy 230 h-p V8 to power your Raider. The V8 is particularly appealing to those who tow as its pulling capacity is actually a respectable 6500 lbs. Tranny possibilities involve either 4 or 5 speed automatics or possibly a 6 speed manny tranny.

The Raider comes readily available as either a 4x2 or perhaps a 4x4 and with two or four door cab configurations. Seating capacity is often as high as six passengers while you wouldn't be as comfy riding in a Raider/Dakota with six people as you would be in a full sized Ram.

What several Raider fans will like is the further care Mitsubishi gave for the interior. As opposed to the Dakota, the Raider comes with trim attributes a lot more akin to a sedan than to a choose up truck. Sirius satellite radio, Alpine speakers, front bucket seats with heated leather surfaces, and power every thing are a few of the attributes that make the Raider considerably more than a truck.

Ten years right after the last "Mighty Max" choose up trucks had been sold by Mitsubishi, a new truck has entered the fold due to a crucial relationship with DaimlerChrysler. Maybe the good results of this relationship will spawn added model sharing. Could we see a rebadged Dodge Ram soon sold as a Mitsubishi? In as of late of extensive model sharing, something is potential.

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