The Mitsubishi L300 made its Philippine debut in 1987, and you can still buy one today—well, as long as it’s not the van body style.
The L300 received its biggest update in 2019. Its cab was raised by 100mm to improve driver visibility, and it got a powerplant upgrade in the form of a more powerful 98hp 2.2-liter 4N14 turbocharged and intercooled diesel engine that’s Euro 4-compliant. Also new for 2019 are the restyled two-bar chrome grille and front bumper with an extension on the bottom.
In its current configuration, the L300 is only available as a cab-and-chassis model with different optional rear ends like the Drop Side ‘pickup’ and the popular FB rear body pictured below.
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Has the L300 lasted long enough to earn a proper Dynamic Shield face? I was asked to give the legendary Mitsubishi workhorse a “realistic” Dynamic Shield refresh, so this means the sheet metal is untouched. I used contrasting chrome elements on black to make the Dynamic Shield design pop out. All the changes are confined to the faux grille panel, and all the lights are carried over from the current model. The challenge was blending the “modern” design language with the vehicle’s older styling and still make it look cohesive.
A little refresher on the Philippine-market L300: Although it was introduced locally in 1987, this iteration of the L300 made its debut in Japan way back in 1979 as the second generation ‘Delica.’ Yes, this generation of the L300 is 45 years old—even older than the 70 Series Land Cruiser. Its styling is similar to other Mitsubishi models of the era like the box-type Lancer and the first-generation Pajero. Most of the visual changes have been limited to the front ‘faux’ grille panel. Even its minimalist interior is pure ’80s. It was originally offered in both Versa Van and cab-and-chassis variants. By 2012, the traditional van variant had been dropped from the lineup.
The newer L300 Exceed based on the third-generation Delica was offered from the late ’90s to the mid-2000s, initially in short-wheelbase gasoline form followed by the refreshed long-wheelbase diesel DX. Despite being a 1979 design, the classic L300 has outlived its more modern van successors. Will Mitsubishi build the L300 till it’s ninety? Let’s wait and see.
Given the design limitations, what do you think of our L300’s Dynamic Shield refresh? Let us know in the comments.
