COMPETITION in the burgeoning off-road sector will intensify next year when Mitsubishi widens its 4x4 range for the UK market. Challenger, a beefy sports utility with the latest three-litre version of the high-economy GDI motor under its bonnet, is to be introduced as a less-costly alternative to the top-selling Shogun range.

Likely to cost from £20,000 to £25,000, the luxury five-seater go-anywhere car is poised to provide stiff opposition to the Jeep Cherokee as well as helping underscore the Japanese company's appeal in Britain as a niche brand. Along with the latest six-seater Space Wagon people-carrier and Space Runner sports utility cars, Challenger should also help make Mitsubishi a more attractive proposition to fleet buyers, believes Andrew Wenzel, sales director of importer Colt Car.