Honey, I shrunk the car!
A mini 4WD revolution is underway with a wave of cut-price, cute and capable off-roaders in the works.
The Suzuki Jimny is a red-hot seller in Australia and there have been countless rumours – and now a patent filing – on the new little Toyota FJ LandCruiser, says CarsGuide.
And now Mitsubishi is believed to be joining the tiny 4WD party.
Japanese magazine Best Car, well known for its sources inside Japan’s car industry, has spilled its latest information on Mitsubishi’s dwarf Pajero that will follow in the footsteps of the little Pajero iO and full-size Pajero using a car platform rather than a rugged ladder frame found underneath the Suzuki Jimny and other 4WDs such as the Toyota Prado or Nissan Patrol.
This monocoque construction would essentially split the difference between a rough and tumble off-road wagon and city car, not unlike Toyota’s first-gen RAV4.
A Best Car’s source says rather than competing with the Jimny, the stunted Pajero is shining a new light SUV not currently available on the market.
The Mini Pajero project was believed to be dead, but the success of the Delica Mini van has inspired Mitsubishi to apply the same principal to one of its most recognised nameplates.
The belief is the mini Pajero would be built on the shared Nissan and Mitsubishi ‘kei’ car platform that spawned vehicles such as the Nissan Roox, Mitsubishi eK and Mitsubishi Delica Mini.
That points to micro dimensions at less than 3400 mm long and 1480 mm wide and a hybrid set-up with no more than 47 kW.
There is also an expectation that a new full-size Pajero is around the corner as part of the company’s Momentum 2030 Plan, which would see an overhaul of its entire line-up to suit the electrified era.
It is expected this model will be based on the new Triton, which means a rugged ladder-frame chassis and the brand’s capable 4WD set-up.
The chances of a future Pajero were strengthened by comments from Mitsubishi Australia chief Shaun Westcott made to CarsGuide earlier this year.
Westcott says Mitsubishi’s intention is to provide drivers with vehicles that will help them explore Australia.
“The future is very much focused towards off-road adventure with a four-wheel drive large SUV in the portfolio,” he said.
“We are doing a lot of work on a lot of platforms and a lot of models, so our 2030 Momentum Plan includes new products that you’ve seen the silhouette of what we are working on. There’s a lot happening.”
The door is now open to a two-pronged Pajero line-up in the future.
Meanwhile, we tried out the new Pajero Sport GSR. Inside furniture features a charcoal/burgundy seat combination with diamond quilting, dual-zone climate control, auto LED headlights with auto high beam, auto wipers, electric folding mirrors, gear shifter, three-spoke leather steering wheel, revised digital instrument display graphics and keyless entry and start.
This chilly winter, we welcomed powered and heated front seats, also noting adaptive cruise, powered tailgate, digital dashboard, satellite navigation, premium eight-speaker audio, app connectivity, and a full-size spare slung under the car for easy access.
The price of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport series in Australia? The Sport range runs from just under $50,000 for the entry-level five-seater GLX through to just over $60,000 for the top-of-the-range GSR, with options taking the price to $70,229 for a towbar kit, Redarc brake controller and a snorkel.
Standard features include an 8 in. touchscreen multimedia system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), digital radio, as well as three-zone climate-control, front and rear parking sensors and a power-operated tailgate.
The Pajero Sport packs a whole lot more and it compares evenly with most other similarly priced seven-seater 4WDs on the market.
The GSR retains the distinctive Pajero Sport shape with updated upper and lower grilles, front and rear bumper enhancements and black headlamp as well as black door mirrors, door handles and tailgate handle.
The Pajero Sport has a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine producing 133 kW at 3500 rpm and 430 Nm at 2500 rpm, matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The GSR has Mitsubishi’s ‘Super Select II’ 4WD (a full-time 4WD system), selectable off-road modes and a rear diff lock.
The Super Select dial is positioned at the rear of the shifter and enables the driver to switch from ‘2H’ (two-wheel drive), ‘4H’ (4WD high-range), ‘4HLc’ (4WD high range with locked centre diff) and ‘4LLc’ (4WD low range with locked centre diff).
The driver can safely switch between 2WD and 4WD at speeds up to 100 km/h.
The GSR has a button-operated off-road mode system with ‘gravel’, ‘mud/snow’, ‘sand’ or ‘bock’ settings, each of which tweaks engine output, transmission settings and traction control to best suit the terrain. It also features hill descent control.
Mitsubishi claims GSR fuel consumption of 8 litres/100 km and that’s impressive for a seven-seater that tips the scales at just over 2.2 tonnes.
Get out and adventure with a three-year free servicing on Eclipse Cross PHEV, Outlander, Pajero Sport and select Triton models. That means less time worrying about servicing costs and more time to plan your next escape. Plus, you’re backed by Australia’s first 10-year warranty with 10 years capped price servicing.
