Mitsubishi Motors has unveiled the all-new Pajero, marking the return of the iconic off-road vehicle that was discontinued globally in 2021 – and it is destined to come to South Africa. The seventh-generation SUV is being positioned as the brand's flagship model and represents what Mitsubishi describes as the next chapter for the manufacturer. Production will take place at the company's facility in Thailand, with the vehicle destined for more than 100 markets worldwide.
Introduced in 1982, the Pajero established itself as a cross-country four-wheel drive vehicle that balanced genuine off-road capability with on-road comfort and its reputation was solidified through its participation in the Dakar Rally where it secured 12 victories including seven consecutive wins.
"The Mitsubishi Pajero was always well loved by both the South African public for the way that it combined modern luxuries and tried-and-trusted mechanics," says Lerato Nonyane, General Manager of Product and Marketing at Mitsubishi Motors South Africa. "It is the perfect vehicle for adventurers looking to explore our beautiful continent."
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The exterior design follows what the company calls a ‘Grand Charisma’ concept, with bold, upright proportions and horizontal design themes inherited from the first-generation model. Powerful fenders and sculpted body surfaces enhance the vehicle's presence. The frontal design draws inspiration from Kendo, the traditional Japanese martial art, with two grille options available – a horizontal-bar design and a honeycomb pattern.
Signature Pajero design elements appear throughout, including a C-pillar inspired by the roll bar of the original model and a hexagonal rear motif that references the rear-mounted spare tyre of earlier generations.
Inside, the cabin adopts a horizontally oriented instrument panel inspired by the first-generation Pajero. A monolithic display integrates two 14,3-inch screens featuring graphics that reference the model's heritage, including a Multi Meter display that modernises the iconic triple-meter cluster. Driving information such as altitude, compass heading, temperature, vehicle pitch and roll angles, and AYC control status is readily accessible.
The infotainment system supports wireless smartphone connectivity and offers visual effects for each drive mode, along with 16 background themes that change according to the time of day.
Soft-touch materials incorporating a stitching technique inspired by Kimekomi, a traditional Japanese craft, have been applied to the instrument panel and door trims. Comprehensive sound-insulation enhancements allow occupants to converse naturally even at highway speeds. The Dynamic Sound Yamaha Ultimate audio system, jointly developed with Yamaha Corporation, features 12 speakers and dual amplifiers.
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Underpinning the new Pajero is a highly rigid ladder frame with expanded use of high-tensile steel for weight reduction, while increased frame cross-sectional area enhances torsional and bending rigidity. The suspension combines an independent double-wishbone front setup with a newly developed five-link rigid rear axle, designed to maintain tyre contact with the road while supporting off-road capability.
The vehicle is powered by a specially developed 2,4-litre clean diesel engine equipped with a wide-range single variable geometry turbo-charger, delivering 480 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission with sport mode.
Mitsubishi's Super-Select 4WD-II system allows drivers to select from four drive modes: 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (full-time 4WD), 4HLc (locked centre differential), and 4LLc (locked centre differential with low-range gears). The S-AWC integrated vehicle dynamics control system combines Active Yaw Control, Active Stability and Traction Control, and Anti-lock Braking System to optimise driving and braking forces according to road conditions.
Seven selectable drive modes are available: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock. Off-road credentials include ground clearance of 230 mm, an approach angle of 30,4 degrees, a ramp breakover angle of 22,6 degrees, and a departure angle of 25,8 degrees.
Safety features include Forward Collision Mitigation with pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection, Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication, and Emergency Lane Assist – a first for the model. The MI-PILOT highway driving assistance system integrates Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist. Eight crash bags are fitted, including Mitsubishi's first SRS centre bag.
The 3D Multi Around Monitor combines images from four cameras with a 3D vehicle model, processing approximately 30 frames per second to display the surrounding environment in real time, assisting with parking and off-road manoeuvring.
"The Pajero is a core model for the Mitsubishi brand and Mitsubishi Motors South Africa look forward to giving a new generation of families the opportunity to create new memories in a vehicle that is renowned for dependability, comfort and unrivalled off-road ability," added Nonyane.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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