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Mitsubishi's stylish Pajero 4x4

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Mitsubishi Pajero
Mitsubishi Pajero
The fourth generation of one of the world's favourite, most successful and most enduring 4x4s, the Mitsubishi Pajero has arrived in Mitsubishi dealerships in South Africa.

The new Pajero is the strongest, quietest, safest and smartest Pajero ever built. With a sharp new body, refined new interior and with the ability to tackle any terrain, the new Pajero is rugged yet refined and is an authentic 4x4.

Model line-up

The new Pajero is available in the popular Short Wheel Base (SWB) and Long Wheel Base (LWB) version with the automatic INVECS-II Sport mode five-speed automatic transmission. Both the 3,8L SWB derivative and the 3,2 DI-DC derivatives come standard with an automatic transmission.

Designed to tackle both heavy-duty rough and smooth roads, to climb, tow and navigate sand, rock, water, mud, highways and even the high street, the rugged yet refined new SWB is powerful, responsive and utterly exhilarating.

The new Long Wheel Base (LWB) Pajero is the most powerful, luxurious Pajero ever built. The Pajero 3,8L LWB and the 3,2 DI-DC LWB come standard with the GLS package and automatic transmission, effortlessly combines style and practicality. The Pajero 3,2 DI-DC LWB also comes in the standard off-road GLX package.

Seven seats are standard on the LWB, and thanks to Mitsubishi's innovative 'Hide & Seat' functionality, the third row of seats fold neatly away into the floor in seconds, giving you an uncompromised choice between luggage or passenger space.

A legend reborn - the new face of an icon

Reassuringly familiar, yet notably different, the brand new fourth generation Mitsubishi Pajero is the culmination of more than a quarter century's expertise in building one of the world's favourite, most successful and most enduring 4x4s. Externally both the three and five door models are reminiscent of the original Pajero concept, but with a cleaner, sharper silhouette than recent incarnations and with new features such as: auto-levelling High Intensity Discharge (HID) and headlamps with washers, which are fully focused on the job in hand.

Model aesthetics

Inside the vehicle, the materials are high-grade and soft touch, the entry access has been improved and so has the interior lighting. The seats are more supportive, the leather is more luxurious, and the third row is more spacious too. Instruments are zoned by function and on most models the frequently used audio and cruise controls can be adjusted at the steering wheel. The LWB models enjoy an exclusive, 860w Rockford Fosgate sound system with 12 speakers. An even stronger body satisfies the criteria for Euro NCAP four-star rating and all models include side, curtain and dual stage front SRS airbags.

The power of evolution

Building upon the technological breakthroughs of recent years, which includes a monocoque body, all-wheel independent suspension, SS4-II four-wheel drive system, Engine Brake Assist Control, Mitsubishi Active Stability and Traction Control - the new Pajero takes all that is good from previous models and builds upon it.

Smoother suspension and a more rigid body, results in better handling and a quieter, more stable ride: steering is crisper and visibility is improved, both at front and rear. In addition, excellent ramp angles are retained and the wading depth increased.

The 3,2-litre, common rail, direct injection diesel engine is cleaner and more economical, with increased torque on the manual, greater output power for the automatic, and better top end speed. Indeed, this new Pajero is powerful testimony to the benefits of evolution over revolution, by taking that which is proven and enhancing it.

The authentic off-roader

On the wild side you can witness the Pajero's serious streak. This ultimate all-terrain vehicle is equally at home clearing the rugged terrain, fast-flowing streams or the steepest of rocky gradients, as it is dealing with highway or city driving. Of course, such mastery calls for some serious hardware, so the Pajero's SS4-II drivetrain boasts not one, but three four-wheel drive modes. You can change from full-time, fuel-efficient two-wheel drive to 4H at speeds of up to 100 km/h, ideal when the road suddenly becomes slippery.

When the going gets tough simply lock the centre differential (4HLc) with power equally distributed between both axles, and for maximum off-road ability select 4LLc to virtually double effective engine breaking in any gear. SS4-II works in conjunction with both Mitsubishi's highly acclaimed Active Stability and Traction Control system, ensuring optimum grip in all conditions, and EBAC which automatically engages in extreme downhill off-road.

Engine Brake Assist Control (EBAC) is activated only in the most extreme downhill situations when 4LLc has been selected and first gear is engaged, automatically taking over the braking as soon as it detects a loss of traction.

M-ASTC:

Mitsubishi Active Stability and Traction Control (M-ASTC) is Pajero's state-of-the-art safety system. It regulates braking force to each wheel during cornering to ensure excellent stability. The system also maintains optimum traction in all conditions, on and off-road. M-ASTC prevents tyre spin on slippery surfaces and minimises the risk of drift caused by over-accelerating in corners.

2H: 2WD high range

Ideal for cities and highway driving, the rear wheel drive mode gives a quiet ride with smooth on-road performance.

4H: 4WD high range

With 4WD engaged, front / rear torque split from 33:67 to 50:50 for added traction and safety, especially when driving in adverse weather conditions or when towing.

4HLC: 4WD high range with locked centre differential

By equally distributing power between front and rear wheels, this mode helps maintain traction on low-grip surfaces.

4LLC: 4WD low range with locked centre differential

The lower gear ratio maximises low-end power for climbing and enables controlled steep descents. It also helps you get out of difficult situations in the harshest of off-road conditions.

Harsh off-road conditions mean angles so extreme you think no vehicle can cope, but the Pajero is adept at handling such surroundings. Not merely extreme angles from front to rear but also from side to side. An important feature is the multi-information display taking pride of place centre dash that will tell you how far you are leaning and there is one thing for certain, your nerve will run out long before the Pajero says enough!

This year's win in the Dakar Rally can be attributed to Mitsubishi's will to win and years of engineering talent, all of which is embodied in this year's Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution rally car.

The following features are adopted from the rally course:

  • With MIVEC technology drivers can use the 3 000 - 6 000 rev range over most conditions and terrains for high output and torque performance.
  • The light weight monocoque body, with high rigidity ladder frame improves driving performance on any type of road.
  • All this experience is also shown in the production models, so Mitsubishi customers can profit from it as well. Another good example is the independent suspension in the Pajero models, which was first introduced in the 1990 Dakar vehicle. The rally is Mitsubishi's proving ground. The Dakar Rally is more about durability than it is about speed, making the production-model Pajero an icon for endurance and toughness.

    Price: VAT inclusive

    Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2L GLX DiD LWB Auto - R393 000
    Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2L GLS DiD LWB Auto - R487 800
    Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2L GLS DiD SWB Auto - R477 300
    Mitsubishi Pajero 3.8L V6 GLS SWB Auto - R379 100

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