Fifth-Generation Mitsubishi Pajero Premiered, Reviving Hardcore Off-Road DNA

The Mitsubishi Pajero, once dominant in the off-road community, has officially returned after five years of production halt. The fifth-generation model takes up the flagship SUV flag for Mitsubishi once again, not only adopting a traditional body-on-frame ladder chassis structure but also featuring the Super Select 4WD-II four-wheel drive system, a 2.4-liter diesel engine, and a three-row seven-seater layout. The name that once accompanied countless off-road enthusiasts traversing the wilderness now returns in a brand new form. The new vehicle will be produced in Thailand, while models previously produced at the same Thailand factory also include the Mitsubishi L200/Triton pickup.

After four generations of development, the previous generation model was officially discontinued in 2021. In the Japanese market, Pajero production ended even earlier, in 2019. Since its first launch in 1982, the Pajero has accumulated production of over 3.29 million units, and this model was once sold in more than 170 countries and regions worldwide. In the 1990s, the Pajero was one of the important representative models in the off-road vehicle field. Meanwhile, the Pajero has also left a significant mark in motorsports: Mitsubishi began participating in the Dakar Rally in 1983 and eventually won the championship 12 times, including the glorious feat of winning 7 consecutive titles.

The design of the all-new Pajero clearly references the historical heritage of this series. The body adopts a square and upright design style, making the whole vehicle appear heavier and more powerful. Mitsubishi has also incorporated some historically significant design details. For example, the striking C-pillar design is reportedly intended to pay homage to the roll cage elements on the open-top first-generation Pajero models.

The hexagonal shape of the tailgate symbolizes the spare tire mounted on the exterior of the rear end in the past. However, the new model will no longer continue to mount a spare tire on the tailgate.

In terms of interior, Mitsubishi adopted a wide, horizontally laid-out dashboard design; the high-spec model consists of two 14.3-inch screens, while the entry-level version uses a 12.3-inch display.

The digital dashboard draws upon the classic triple-gauge layout of past Pajero models, while adding more modern information displays, including: altitude, compass direction, outside temperature, vehicle climb angle, and vehicle lateral tilt angle.

The all-new Pajero offers three rows of seats, accommodating up to 7 passengers in total. The second-row seats support forward and backward sliding within a 150 mm range, which not only facilitates passengers entering the third row but also allows flexible adjustment of the interior space according to actual needs. For third-row passengers, Mitsubishi has further increased headroom and legroom.

From a technical perspective, the new generation Pajero has undergone significant upgrades compared to previous models. The fifth-generation model reintroduces a high-strength ladder chassis structure; by using special steel and increasing the chassis structure cross-sectional area, the overall torsional and bending rigidity of the body has been improved.

Regarding suspension, the new car's front suspension uses a double-wishbone independent setup, while the rear suspension features a solid axle connected via a five-link structure and is equipped with coil springs. This design provides larger suspension travel and achieves superior wheel traction and vehicle cross-axle capability in complex off-road environments.

In terms of powertrain, the all-new Pajero is equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, adopting variable geometry turbocharging technology, with the engine capable of outputting a maximum torque of 480 N·m. Currently, Mitsubishi has not yet announced specific power parameters. As a reference, the same diesel engine has a maximum power output of 204 hp in the Mitsubishi L200 pickup model. Regarding the transmission system, the new car matches a newly developed 8-speed automatic transmission and offers a sport mode.

In terms of off-road capability, Mitsubishi equips the new Pajero with a further upgraded Super Select 4WD-II super-select four-wheel-drive system, offering four drive modes, and also features the S-AWC Super All-Wheel Control system, which integrates multiple technologies such as Active Yaw Control, Traction Control System, Vehicle Stability Control, and ABS Anti-lock Braking System. Among them, the Active Yaw Control system enhances vehicle stability in different driving environments by precisely controlling brake intervention and adjusting power distribution between the left and right wheels of the front axle.

For different road conditions, the new Pajero offers seven driving modes, which adjust the vehicle's powertrain and stability control system strategies accordingly based on different terrain environments. Meanwhile, another feature of the all-new Pajero is the 3D Multi-Angle Monitor System, which collects images through four cameras and combines them with a 3D vehicle model to achieve a panoramic display of the vehicle's surrounding environment.

Additionally, the vehicle also offers a front chassis transparency function. When the driver selects the 4HLc or 4LLc mode, this function automatically activates, displaying images of the area below the front bumper and ahead of the vehicle; this view helps the driver observe obstacles that cannot be directly seen from the driving position.

It is reported that the all-new Pajero will first be produced in Thailand and is planned to launch in the local market in fiscal year 2026. Subsequently, this model will enter the Japanese and Australian markets. Starting from fiscal year 2027, Mitsubishi plans to gradually promote the new Pajero to approximately 100 countries and regions. In some markets where Pajero was previously sold under different names, the new model will also reinstate the name "Montero", although official pricing information has not yet been released.