MITSUBISHI is heralding its latest L200 Challenger model as the best value for money pick-up the Japanese brand has ever produced.

The original L200 was a pioneer of the pick-up scene with its powerful 2.5-litre diesel engine and emphasis on safety, comfort and equipment.

And the Challenger has upped the ante with attractions like the longest warranty of any pick-up truck in the UK - five years or 125,000 miles - as well as being available with a three-year fixed price service plan at £600 and range of finance options, including Contract Hire.

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has actually sold more than 130,000 L200 pick-ups since the model's launch in 1987 and it continues to account for 20 per cent of the overall market.

The new version went on sale this week priced from £16,499 and comes loaded with the likes of a Super Select 4WD system, 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, air-con, privacy glass, automatic rain and dusk sensors, leather steering wheel and Bluetooth.

And for added peace of mind it comes with the Mitsubishi Assistance Package which includes 24/7 UK home and roadside breakdown assistance plus European roadside assistance in over 30 European countries.

Meanwhile, the L200 is leading the way with a £2,000 ex-VAT customer saving across the range and five-year extended warranty as part of a raft of New Year offers from Mitsubishi.

Also up for grades is the latest Outlander diesel SUV, which boasts a five-star Euro-NCAP safety rating and best-in-class fuel efficiency.

It is now available with a £1,500 (VAT-inclusive) customer saving, while the 6.9 per cent personal contract purchase deal is being extended for this quarter.

The company is also offering its Mirage supermini with zero per cent PCP and hire purchase plus £1,000 VAT-inclusive saving for buyers of its ASX sports utility vehicle, while there's also a 6.9 per cent PCP offer on the Shogun off-roader.

Mitsubishi UK chief Lance Bradley said: "At the start of every year people are understandably watching their pennies, so these offers from Mitsubishi are perfectly timed and mean that drivers needn't miss out on the great range of vehicles available."