Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian SVP is the first offering from Mitsubishi’s Special Vehicle Projects

The Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian SVP is the first offering from Mitsubishi’s Special Vehicle Projects as Mitsubishi seek a USP in the UK for their product.

It’s common for premium and high-end car makers to launch a ‘Special Operations’ division for modified cars, pandering to the whims of the deep pocketed with more bespoke offerings.

But it’s quite unusual for a mainstream maker to go the same route, especially with what could be considered a ‘commercial’ offering.

So the announcement by Mitsubishi of a Special Vehicle Projects did make us wonder what they were up to, but it seems the idea is to deliver short run, titivated versions of current offerings. A sort of on-going Limited Edition project.

First to hit showrooms in the UK is this – the Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian SVP – which comes in for a cosmetic makeover and is limited to just 250 units, with half in Electric Blue metallic and the other half in Cosmos Black.

Based on the Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian Double Cab, titivations include 17″ black alloys with BF Goodrich all-terrain rubber, wheel arch extensions, new grille and black finish for stuff like the light bezels and roof rails.

There’s even an illuminated load bed, ‘shark-fin’ side steps and a soft opening tailgate, with the interior getting leather seats with suede-like inserts, SVP logos, footwell mood lighting and door entry guards.

Under the bonnet is the same 178bhp 2.4 litre diesel you’d get in any other L200, and it does look like future offerings from Mitsubishi’s Special Vehicle Projects will be purely cosmetic too.

The Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian SVP is available to order now in the UK, with prices from £28,479 (+VAT).