The Mitsubishi Raider is a mid-size pickup truck introduced in the autumn of 2005 as a 2006 model for the United States. It was based largely on the Dodge Dakota and recycled the name of the Dodge Raider SUV sold from 1987 to 1990, which had itself been a rebadged Mitsubishi Montero.
Mitsubishi Raider at a glance
| Maker | Mitsubishi Motors, built by Chrysler in Warren, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Sold | United States, 2006–2009 model years |
| Basis | Dodge Dakota |
| Assembly | Warren Truck Assembly, finished in Normal, Illinois |
| Engines | 4.7-litre PowerTech V8, 230 hp; 3.7-litre V6, 210 hp |
| From 2008 | only the 3.7 V6 |
| Name origin | Dodge Raider, a rebadged Montero of 1987–1990 |
| Built in 2005 | 9,861 |
| Built in early 2006 | 297 |
| Concept | Street Raider show truck of 2005 |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Mitsubishi Raider.
History of the Mitsubishi Raider
Filling the Mighty Max gap
The Raider filled the gap in Mitsubishi’s American range left by the Mighty Max, which had been discontinued in 1996. Mitsubishi was still building its own Triton at the time, but importing it would have fallen foul of the chicken tax, while an American-built pickup would not. Chrysler therefore built the Raider alongside the Dakota at its Warren Truck Assembly plant in Warren, Michigan, and the trucks were then sent to Normal, Illinois for some Mitsubishi-specific parts and for distribution.
Buyers could choose a 4.7-litre PowerTech V8 of 230 hp and 290 lb-ft or a 3.7-litre PowerTech V6 of 210 hp and 210 lb-ft, though by the 2008 model year only the V6 remained.
Sales and the end
Early sales were disappointing at only one tenth of the Dakota’s. With a reported six-month supply of Raiders on dealer lots, Mitsubishi asked DaimlerChrysler to cut production. 9,861 Raiders were built in 2005 and only 297 more between the start of 2006 and 11 March. New for 2006 was the slammed DuroCross version with lower suspension and an aggressive body kit, which had a payload of only 1,180 lb and lost most of its off-road ability. About 8,200 Raiders were sold in 2007.
Street Raider
A concept truck called the Street Raider was designed by Mitsubishi’s California studio and first shown at the 2005 SEMA show, then at motor shows around the United States. It had 22-inch custom wheels, a custom dual exhaust and a lowered stance among other features not found on a standard Raider, and carried a mooted price of $60,000, although there were no plans to sell it.
Design and features
- Dakota base: a Chrysler-built pickup with Mitsubishi finishing.
- V8 option: the 4.7-litre PowerTech engine, dropped after 2007.
- Chicken tax: built in America to avoid the import duty on pickups.
- DuroCross: a lowered 2006 version with a body kit.
- Recycled name: from the Dodge Raider, a rebadged Montero.
Mitsubishi Raider versions
- Raider V6: 3.7-litre engine with 210 hp.
- Raider V8: 4.7-litre engine with 230 hp.
- DuroCross (2006): lowered version with a body kit.
- Street Raider (2005): show concept, never sold.
The Raider was the American counterpart of the Triton, and its name came from a rebadged Pajero. More cars are in the Mitsubishi collection.
Sources
- Mitsubishi Raider, English Wikipedia: origins, engines, sales, concept
