Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, a member of an alliance with Renault and Nissan, is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, which has more than 28,000 employees and a wide global footprint with production facilities in Japan and the ASEAN region.
As such, Mitsubishi continues to sharpen its competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks and plug-in hybrid EVs “that appeal to ambitious drivers willing to challenge convention and embrace innovation”.
Since the production of its first vehicle more than a century ago, Mitsubishi remains a leader in electrification, launching the i-MiEV, the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009 that was followed in 2013 by the Outlander PHEV, the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV.
With a target of increasing the sales ratio of electrified vehicles to 100% by 2035, Mitsubishi says it will deliver models that embody the car maker’s ‘motors-ness’ and contribute to a carbon-neutral society. This is reflected in the way its SUVs sold in 2024: the ASX was up 32.45%, the Eclipse Cross by 20.2%, Pajero Sport sales were up two-thirds and even the steady Outlander was up by more 14.5%.
Meanwhile, there’s some bigger news. The manufacturer of the Apple iPhone is preparing to license an electric car to Mitsubishi for sale in Australia as soon as early next year.
The first Mitsubishi electric vehicle to be launched here in 15 years may be a rebadge of a car built by the Taiwanese producer of the iPhone. It would represent a shock move from the Japanese car maker, which may soon see its showroom line-up drop to a handful of models ahead of tough inbound emissions rules for new cars in Australia if Labor is returned at the May 3 election.
The Opposition has confirmed it will water down the new-vehicle emissions rules and scrap fines for car makers that do not meet them. if it wins the election.Peter Dutton has again cited industry estimates showing the price of popular cars could increase by thousands under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) – something the party in office refutes.
Boning up on the Mitsubishi Pajero Spor GLS 7, it was no wonder it was a better-than-ideal vehicle for all conditions. It’s fitted with the latest generation 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine, which features a variable geometry turbo as well as Mitsubishi’s valve train technology (MIVEC).
Mitsubishi says this the most efficient turbo-diesel SUV Mitsubishi it has ever sold.
In size, it compares to the PC Challenger, but the new Pajero Sport is a much smarter vehicle inside and out and that’s something because the Challenger was a great SUV.
The Pajero Sport is a body-on-frame mid-size SUV using the Pajero name plate since 1996. Based on the Triton pickup truck, the Pajero Sport has spanned three generations. It is unrelated to the full-size Pajero, which was also built on a ladder-frame chassis until 1999, switching to monocoque thereafter to be discontinued in 2021.
[Monocoque is a structural system in which loads are supported by an object’s external skin, similar to an eggshell. The term comes from French and means “single shell”. In monocoque construction, the outer skin carries most of the stresses, whether in boats, aircraft, rockets, or vehicles].
The current model remains a popular among families wanting a wagon built for suburban roads, off-road adventure and towing – and decent fuel economy with a claimed eight litres /100 km, toping both the Skoda Kodiaq and Isuzu MU-X.
The ladder-frame Pajero Sport competes with other rugged pickup-based SUVs such as the impressive new Ford Everest, the big-selling Isuzu MU-X, and the Toyota Fortuner and Prado.
On-road cost is around $50,190. That’s $6000 cheaper than a mid-range Isuzu MU-X LS-U and about $10,000 cheaper than the mid-range Ford Everest Trend.
Features include a tyre pressure monitoring system and new colour options, including a startling Impulse Blue Metallic coat.
Engineered with advanced safety features the Pajero Sport is here for the long run with Mitsubishi offering Australia’s first 10-year new car warranty with a 10-year capped price service. And no-one is getting left behind with the five and seven-seat configuration, driver’s seat lumber power adjustment and advanced power tailgate which operates by waving your foot under the rear bumper, or using the smartphone app. The smart key fob also further enhances automatic tailgate operation as you approach or leave your vehicle, ensuring every interaction is seamless.
The Pajero Sport’s 8 in. touchscreen and Smartphone Display Audio (SDA) system is compatible with Apple CarPlayK12 and Android AutoK11, ensuring media, navigation and communication are seamlessly integrated for a safer, more enjoyable drive.
Mitsubishi’s blind spot warning and lane-change assist helps you change lanes with confidence. This system sounds an audible alert and displays a blinking warning in the door mirrors when it detects a high collision probability, such as a vehicle coming from behind and moving into the same direction within 3.4 m from your vehicle’s side or rear bumper.
