THAT old warhorse of muscular 4x4 driving, the Mitsubishi Shogun has moved with the times.

Detailed changes to the advanced 3.2-litre four-cylinder D-iD common rail turbo-diesel allows the five-door automatic model I recently drove a much more respectable 33.2mpg - a big difference from the previous model's 26.7mpg.

Which is excellent news for lovers of this hunky and very individual piece of Japanese engineering at its best.

The Shogun still offers the same blend of rugged on and off-road capability combined with improved environmental credentials.

This is one of the few large 4x4s that can stand shoulder to shoulder with a Land Rover and has many fans worldwide.

And the fact that the long-wheelbase version automatic can return 224g/km emissions compared to the past model's 280g/km is a bonus.

The better efficiency is thanks to engine revisions that include lower idling revs, a high-efficiency alternator with enhanced generating and discharging control logic, new engine and differential oils, an enhanced differential and a slight drop in ride height.

In many ways it is Mitsubishi stating to the world that its drive towards a greener future is not just limited to its regular cars but includes the iconic off-road flagship that, despite environmental critics does have a much better and positive future.

There is still the same old square-jawed styling and bulky road stance encasing a built-in frame monocoque chassis with optimised all-wheel control linked to front-wishbone and multi-link rear suspension which has got many off-road fans out of some very sticky situations.

But to drivers who love its commanding driving position, masses of space and surprisingly nimble on-road characteristics, the Shogun is king of the school-run and supermarket car park also.

There are still the old styling touches such as a rear-mounted spare wheel, upright windscreen and very short front overhang which imparts a very positive can-do feel to the whole package.

Having driven Shoguns in some very tough terrain in the past I can guarantee that this one can really do what it says on the tin.

It has often been regarded as a poor man's Range Rover, but this is unfair because the Shogun is a very individual character that can plough its own furrow- literally.

Key to its success is the all-wheel control system that offers four driving modes, rear wheel drive for normal driving on road, four-wheel-drive high ratio, four high with centre-diff lock up and four low for for extreme off-road work.

This five-door seven-seater was an SG3 mid-range trim level model which impressed by its nimble acceleration and light responsive steering, shattering the myth that a big 4x4 is tough to drive.

And included in this version is an advanced 30GB hard disc drive navigation system with music server compete with colour touch screen and rear view camera. And for music lovers the LWB SG3 comes with a Rockford Fosgate 860w 12-speaker premium audio system as standard.

For what you get the Shogun offers a lot with the range starting at just over £29,000 and it is good to see an old name ascending the rocky road to rub shoulders with today's more environmentally friendly 4x4s.