Australian four-wheel drive fans rejoice, a new Mitsubishi Pajero is on the way.
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Mitsubishi is preparing to put the Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol and Denza B5 and B8 on notice with the return of its off-road icon.
The new vehicle will replace the now defunct Pajero Sport off-roader, and it is believed it'll drop the Sport name and be simply called, Pajero.
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A reveal of the new tough four-wheel drive appears to be approaching fast, as the brand has teased the new vehicle in a video to celebrate its current Ralliart pedigree.
At the end of the video it gave a nod to its rally success of the past with footage of the 2007 Mitsubishi Pajero Evo Dakar Rally vehicle before showing a shadowy clip of what appears to be the new Pajero.
CarsGuide also spotted the new Pajero undergoing test in western Victoria just before Christmas, with the vehicle likely undergoing local assessment and hot weather testing.
The door has been left open for the new Pajero to use an SUV-like monocoque platform like the Pajero’s of old.
Mitsubishi Australia’s GM Product Strategy & Product PR Bruce Hampel told CarsGuide late last year both underpinnings have their pros and cons.
“The old Pajero was a monocoque as well, right? So people don't even really think of that nowadays. It was just the Pajero, this durable off-road vehicle. So what are they expecting? Are they expecting another monocoque from us, or is it a body on frame?," he asked.
“I think Land Rover has done a lot to prove that it can be achieved with a monocoque. And I guess with a monocoque you get the improvements in terms of the on-road handling, the lack of… body-on-frame shake, without really causing too many limitations off road.
“But it's a very expensive car to engineer and develop. Watch this space, which path we head.”
The company is also working on bringing back the Ralliart badge to its road cars.
When asked last year if a proper Ralliart vehicle can happen, Hampel’s answer was simple: “Yes”.
“We are working closely with MMC (Mitsubishi Motors Corporation) on opportunities to utilise the brand in the Australian market,” he said.
“We want to do it right, if we are going to do it.”
“It is a very valuable brand for MMC, and they are very cautious around utilising the brand on the right products with the right execution.
“We are in ongoing discussions with them at this point in terms of the potential opportunities in the future to create a product that would be suitable, and earn the right, to the Ralliart branding,” said Hampel.
The recent teaser video appears to point to the new Pajero wearing the famed badge in the future.
The fact the Pajero has been spotted so widely undergoing testing and has been officially teased by the carmaker, points to it being fully revealed either towards the end of this year or early next year.
