The Further information on the Mitsubishi Pajero SUV, p.2, Chameleon Translations Further information on the Mitsubishi Pajero SUV, p.1, Chameleon Translations is a full-size SUV manufactured and marketed globally by Mitsubishi Motors since 1981. It is also known as the Mitsubishi Montero in North America, Spain, and Latin America, and the Mitsubishi Shogun in the United Kingdom.
The Pajero, Montero, and Shogun names were used on other, mechanically unrelated models, such as a kei car with the Pajero Mini, mini SUVs with the Pajero Junior and Pajero iO/Pinin, and mid-size SUVs with the Triton-based Pajero/Montero/Shogun Sport. The Pajero was one of four Mitsubishi models (the others being the Triton, Pajero Sport, and the Pajero iO) that shared Mitsubishi's heavy-duty, off-road-oriented Super-Select four-wheel-drive system, rather than its light-duty Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel-drive system.
The Montero was discontinued in North America in 2006.
Since its global discontinuation in 2021, the Pajero has sold more than 3.3 million units over its 40-year run. The name lived with the smaller Pajero Sport, which is based on the Triton/L200/Strada pickup. Despite the similarity in name, the Pajero Sport shares none of the original Pajero's underpinnings and is smaller in overall size.
The Pajero went on hiatus from 2021 to 2026, with a five-year absence between the fourth and fifth generations.
After a five-year hiatus, the nameplate returned with the fifth generation in late 2026, using a body-on-frame construction based on the sixth-generation Triton/L200, and it features the Super-Select 4WD and S-AWC systems.
Etymology The Pajero nameplate derives from Leopardus pajeros, the Pampas cat.Fact & Figures 2005 , p. 33, Mitsubishi Motors website Mitsubishi marketed the SUV as the Montero in North America, Spain, and Latin America (except for Brazil and Jamaica) due to the term "pajero" being derogatory (meaning "wanker") in Spanish. In the United Kingdom, it was known as the Shogun, named after the Japanese word for "General."
History The Pajero's history traces to 1934 with the Mitsubishi PX33 prototype commissioned for the Japanese Government. Mitsubishi presented the first Pajero prototype at the Tokyo Motor Show in November 1973 then Pajero II prototype followed in 1978, five years later. The first production version of the Pajero lineage was debuted at the 1981 Tokyo Motor Show before sales officially began in 1982. The Pajero was initially marketed as a luxury, yet rugged and capable competitor to the Land Rover Range Rover or Toyota Land Cruiser of the time.
The first-generation Pajero was selected as a Historic Car by the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame for its contributions to Japanese automotive history in November 2023.Japan Automotive Hall of Fame
Dakar Rally A Mitsubishi Pajero, driven by Andrew Cowan, finished the 1983 Paris–Alger–Dakar as the winner in class, with another teammate George Debussy coming second in class and 14th overall after covering more than 11,000 km, beginning the Pajero's Dakar Rally legacy.
Mitsubishi competed primarily in the Modified Production Class (T2) category though Mitsubishi also ran in the Super-Production category (Highly modified production vehicles with engine tuning and chassis modifications allowed), as well as the T3 category, which were fully-custom non-production vehicles referred to as 'prototypes' by Dakar class criteria. Contrary to popular belief, T2 vehicles are almost identical to those sold to the public. According to the latest criteria, T2 class vehicles must be production models and modifications follow a highly regulated and primarily safety-oriented preparation to ensure they do not deviate from the road-going versions too significantly. As such, modifications primarily only include roll cages, bucket seats, harnesses, navigation equipment and extended fuel tanks. Earlier Paris-Dakar regulations were less strict however and allowed more significant modifications that spawned entrants such as the 1995 Pajero Proto with a wider track, highly tuned engine and custom body.
Mitsubishi dominated with multiple first, second and third place podium finishes across the T2 and T3 categories beginning in 1983 until their final wins in 2007. Their overall record was 12 total overall wins (1st place) in the "Cars Class" and 150 stage wins (the second best being Peugeot with only 78 stage wins in comparison). Mitsubishi earned the title of ‘Most Dakar Rally Wins by A Manufacturer’ from the Guinness World Records.
Given their competition in the T2 class, vehicles were required by entry regulations to be almost identical to road-going versions, using the same chassis and engine. However, in the late 90s Mitsubishi intended to create a vehicle with the sole intention of winning the T2 class. Adding independent rear suspension to the Generation 2 design - something not found on road versions (this formed the basis of their later Generation 3 and 4 suspensions) as well as a modified 6G74 engine, this new revision resulted in immense performance advantages. In order to compete in the T2 category, Mitsubishi was required to produce road-going versions of their new design, which resulted in the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, a rare road-going variant of their late 1990s Generation 2 Dakar platform. Only 2,693 units were produced and are now seen as a collector's item. From 2000 and the introduction of the Generation 3, Mitsubishi's regular series production was more than enough for T2 entry as there were no significant differences to the Dakar platforms until 2002.
From 2002 onwards and new rule changes allowing full-prototype vehicles without requiring any sort of homologation, Mitsubishi began their 'Evolution' entries, code-named MR10 through MR14. These vehicles featured exclusive designs and engines engineered specifically for the Paris-Dakar and never intended for the general public, such as the 6G7 Di-D quad-turbo diesel and a 4.0L V6 petrol, both based on an overbored and stroked 6G75 MIVEC.
In 2017, Cristina Gutiérrez debuted her international rally career as the first Spanish woman to compete the Dakar rally, in her modified short wheelbase Mitsubishi Pajero finishing in 44th place.
First generation (L040, L140; 1982)
The design adopts the Pajero II concept that was introduced in Tokyo Motor Show in 1979. It was a design study model with an open FRP body with square twin headlights mounted on the chassis of the Forte 4WD pickup. The first generation made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1981. Although the design style was well received, Mitsubishi eventually launched in May 1982, with a design very similar to its concept model, the Pajero II. It was officially replacing the Mitsubishi Jeep Delivery Wagon.
Initially, it was a three-door, short-wheelbase model available with a metal or canvas top and three different engines options, although more were gradually added, ending with a 3.0-litre V6 on top of the range.
2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol 2.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol 3.0-litre V6 SOHC petrol 2.3-litre naturally aspirated diesel 2.3-litre turbocharged diesel 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel
It included features that were unusual for a four-wheel-drive vehicle: a turbocharged diesel engine, a front double wishbone suspension with torsion bar springs, power steering and suspension seats.
In January 1983, only a year following its launch, mildly-tuned production Pajeros entered the world of motor sport.
In February 1983, Mitsubishi introduced a long-wheelbase, five-door model, available with a choice of two different engines; a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol (badged as "2.0 Turbo" and "2000 Turbo" in some markets) and a 2.3-litre turbocharged diesel. It also came in Standard, Semi-High Roof. The High Roof variant was added in July 1983. Outside of Japan there was also the 2.6-liter petrol four, which produced in European trim.
The long-wheelbase model increased seating capacity to seven, with available third row seats, which could be folded to the sides for additional trunk space or combined with second row seats to form a bed.
In 1984, the Pajero received turbo diesel engines with higher power/torque ratings, whilst the long-wheelbase models received standard four-wheel disc brakes and four-way adjustable shock absorbers as standard equipment later in 1985.
In April 1985, the 4-speed automatic transmission was added.
A flagship model was introduced in September 1987 with the badge 'Exceed', with two-tone paint, 15-inch alloy wheels, light brown interior, two-stage front heated seats, adjustable suspension seats, rear-air conditioning, remote locking and unlocking tailgate, wool plaid seat and door trim, leather headrests, a three-spoke steering wheel and a sound system with radio/cassette. JDM Super Exceed models featured additional amber spotlights, a steel bullbar, an enhanced audio system and other Japanese market-specific additions such as illuminated corner positioning poles. In 1987, a version of the Pajero/Montero was rebadged by Dodge as the Raider, which ran through 1989.
In 1988, a 3.0-litre SOHC V6 engine was made available across the range, alongside a 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine, with the first intercooler fitted to a 4x4. The long-wheelbase models received a coil link suspension system for better ride comfort and off-road ability.
The 1988 and onward model was available with a 3-door body for a short wheelbase (SWB) or a 5-door body for a long-wheelbase (LWB). Engines included a 2.6 L I4 with , a 3.0 L V6 with EFI and and a turbocharged 2.5 L OHC diesel I4 with or an intercooled . Part-time four-wheel drive was standard on all models.
The first generation platform was later built under license by Hyundai Precision Products as the Hyundai Galloper from 1991 to 2003, and exported to Europe for a brief time starting in 1997. When it was first introduced, the appearance was nearly indistinguishable from the first-generation Pajero. For the revised Galloper introduced in 1997, the Galloper's body was restyled to appear similar to the second generation Pajeros, but the chassis was the same, using the first generation Pajero mechanicals.
Australia
The NA series was released to Australia during January 1983 in short- (SWB) and long-wheelbase (LWB) three-door wagon formats, with the 2.6-litre petrol or 2.3-litre turbo diesel, both mated to a five-speed KM145 manual transmission. Brakes were ventilated front discs and rear drums. The five-door, high-roof LWB model was introduced in May 1984 with the same powertrain options. The five-door offered a luxury Superwagon trim and also had a shorter final drive than the SWB models, to make up for the increased weight.Robinson, p. 40
The NB of November 1984 included a revised grille, deleted the LWB three-door body style and the diesel engine for the remaining SWB three-door. Mitsubishi Australia released the NC series in November 1985, introducing optional power steering, while the long-wheelbase five-door switched to a low-roofed design.
A KM148 automatic gearbox became optional on the petrol Superwagon for the October 1986 ND update, while the 2.5-litre turbo diesel replaced the old 2.3-litre unit. For the October 1987 NE series, the Japanese 2.6-litre petrol was replaced with the Australian-made Astron II version. Brake dimensions were also increased across the range.
The NE three-door Sports and five-door Superwagon added a limited slip differential, front bumper overriders, spare wheel cover, side pin striping, 16-inch chrome wheels, and optional two-tone paint over the base cars. The most expensive models also received an inclinometer, volt meter, oil pressure gauge, stereo cassette player, remote fuel filler release, suspension driver's seat, carpeting, and tweed and velour cloth trim (over tweed cloth and vinyl).