New Mitsubishi Raider Pickup Imagined in First Renderings

Mitsubishi is steadily bringing back some of its most recognizable off-road nameplates. The latest example is the revived Pajero, which debuted yesterday and is expected to arrive at dealerships late this year or early next year. The automaker is also planning to significantly expand its lineup of rugged models, and a new Raider pickup could eventually join the mix. Mitsubishi has used the name before in North America.

Independent digital artist Theottle has now offered a first look at what such a pickup could look like, releasing speculative renderings of the potential model.

There are few details about the rumored truck at this point, but Mitsubishi's relationship with Nissan makes the Frontier one of the most likely candidates to provide the technical foundation. The Nissan Frontier is currently built for the U.S. market in Mississippi.

The Raider name has been used by Mitsubishi in North America before. The pickup debuted for the 2006 model year following a partnership between Mitsubishi and Chrysler and was intended to give the Japanese automaker a stronger presence in the midsize pickup segment.

The previous Raider was based on the Dodge Dakota platform, although Mitsubishi gave it its own styling and equipment. The base engine was a 3.7-liter V6 producing 210 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque. Depending on the configuration, buyers could choose between manual and automatic transmissions, as well as rear- or four-wheel drive.

A V8-powered version was paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Production of the Raider continued through 2009, after which the pickup disappeared from the U.S. market.

The new project shown in Theottle's renderings has nothing to do with the old Dodge Dakota architecture. Instead, the artist imagines a truck styled after Mitsubishi's current design language, combined with the proportions and underlying structure of the Nissan Frontier. If the project becomes reality, the two trucks could potentially share a platform.

The rugged pickup features a distinctive front end with split-level headlights, a wide rectangular grille and heavy-duty bumpers at both ends. Plastic side steps would make it easier to climb into and out of the relatively tall body-on-frame cabin.

Mitsubishi has also used the Raider name more recently, although not for a standalone model. The name was given to an extreme version of the Triton pickup developed specifically for the Australian market.

Those trucks feature a revised suspension, increased ground clearance, unique exterior trim and additional off-road equipment.