An SUV Pioneer in Japan
Mitsubishi first released the Pajero in 1982, and the term SUV wasn’t widely used then. Indeed, the Japanese called it an RV or recreational vehicle, and it was one of the first of its kind, with the Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol coming much, much earlier. Still, it came at the right time, as the SUV boom would go into hyperdrive later on.
Also called the Montero in the US, it was produced until 2021, though it was dropped from the North American lineup in 2006. But after five years of staying dormant, the Pajero and Montero are back. Its main targets? Toyota’s Land Cruiser (also known as the Prado) and 4Runner, along with Nissan’s upcoming Xterra revival and ladder-frame Pathfinder.
Mitsubishi
A Rally Legend
The Pajero and Montero were great SUVs. Sure, these didn’t drive like cars, but they were unpretentiously oriented toward off-road use. But aside from being capable off the beaten track, this Mitsubishi made its bones in the world of cross-country rallying, more specifically, the Dakar Rally.
No other car has come close to the Pajero and Montero’s track record in the sport. The SUV has 12 wins under its name, with seven straight victories from 2001 to 2007. Now, Mitsubishi wants to recapture that glory with the revived model.
Mitsubishi
Performance Version Soon?
We already know that the Pajero is going back to rallying next year. It won’t be the Dakar Rally just yet, but the still-grueling Asia Cross Country Rally. On top of that, a recent report from CarExpert said that a performance version under the Ralliart banner is being considered.
That’s big news, and it could bring back some of the luster the brand has been missing for a long time. But before we get too excited, it’s unlikely to be a revival of the Pajero Evolution. The reborn model isn’t even available with a three-door body. Instead, it will likely be more off-road-focused, something that could rival a Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler.
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What Mitsubishi Said
Mitsubishi currently makes a model called the Triton Raider. It’s a pickup with a host of chassis upgrades that help it go further off the beaten path. The company is keen on applying a similar formula to the Pajero and Montero, and perhaps even go above that.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia chairman John Signoriello told the Australian press, “Well, I guess we’ve got Raider as a toe in the water. And would we, as a company, like to see something like a Ralliart Pajero? Yes, we would. You know, it brings a lot of passion back into the brand, a lot of heritage back into the brand.”
Now, this isn’t a full ‘yes,’ just yet, but the company is putting serious thought and effort into a Ralliart Pajero. “Look, we’re passionate about the [Ralliart] brand, and we know how important it will be if we could… And MMC, if they support it, we would need their support to do it. It’s not something we could just do.” With that, Mitsubishi Motors Australia has to convince headquarters that a hardcore Pajero is worth the effort. We’ll find out soon if the mothership will give the thumbs-up or thumbs-down.
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