THE MITSUBISHI Shogun is synonymous with 4-Wheel Drive.

Stylish, powerful and superbly built, it is capable of outstanding performance both on and off the road. Undoubtedly, the most successful car in its class, with worldwide sales exceeding £2.5 million.

I took a nearly new Shogun 2.5 Turbo Diesel for a test drive. One of 13 used short wheel base Shoguns in stock at Mitchell Mitsubishi, New Chester Road, Eastham, one of the largest selections of used Shoguns in the whole country. 4x4 specialists Mitchell Mitsubishi have virtually every spec of second hand Shoguns.

This particular Shogun used to belong to a well known former Premiership football manager now working abroad! Immaculately finished in Hamilton Silver with Grey Cloth interior, the P-registration three-door Mitsubishi Shogun 2.5 Diesel Turbo has 18,000 miles on the clock and is available for £20,000.

Features include alloy wheels, central locking, cruise control, electric windows, headlamp power wash, five-speed manual gearbox, power steering and radio/cassette system.

The interior of the Shogun not only provides a safe and secure environment but also comfort and luxury as part off the unique Shogun motoring experience.

The instrumentation is designed to provide easy and relaxed information relating to the status of the vehicle throughout any journey. Colour graphics within the driver binnacle confirm the selection of two or four wheel drive, as well as centre and rear differential engagement, and the exterior thermometer gives warning of icy road conditions.

Interior airflow can be controlled in a myriad of ways with a closed circuit ventilation system to avoid traffic fumes.

In developing the latest Shogun range Mitsubishi has revolutionised transmission technology with the world's first Super Select 4-Wheel Drive system.

Incorporating the merits of both full-time and part-time 4-Wheel Drive, either two or four-wheel drive can be selected, on the move, depending upon the demands of the driving surface. Super Select 4WD incorporates a synchronised front freewheel differential, allowing changes from 2WD to 4WD to be made while on the move at speeds up to 62 mph. By means of a single lever, the driver can select either 2WD or 4WD as well as High or Low transfer ratios. The Super Select viscious coupling unit (VCU) automatically controls the front/rear torque split to make the best use of the wheel grip available.

The centre differential with VCU allows high speed on-road driving in the 4H position, while at low speeds it offers tight manoeuvring. Although the Shogun driver has the option to select 4WD at any time, normal driving is 2WD for speed, fuel efficiency, reduce tyre wear and lower transmission noise.

Either cruising the high street, mud plugging or climbing high in the mountains, the Shogun takes everything in its stride, allowing you to explore places where lesser transport hesitates to follow. Voted toop 4-Wheel Drive in Britain's largest independent car satisfaction survey, the Cornhill Motor Test, and in a 73,000 car survey in association with What Car? magazine, the Shogun along with other models in the Mitsubishi range were declared Britain's most reliable cars.

Power is the key to the Shogun's perform- ance, with 98 brake horse power at 4200rpm, while achieving 30 miles to the gallon.

Every Mitchell Shogun is protected by Mitsubishi's unique warranty package. This includes a three year unlimited mileage warranty, a six year anti-corrosion perforation guarantee and a three year pan-European breakdown and recovery service which is valid from your own front door.

In a nutshell I found the Shogun a wonderful driving experience. For further information, contact Sales Director Neil Crowden on 328-5555, and say you have come about the football manager's job!

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.