Mitsubishi Pajero History

Mitsubishi Pajero

The Mitsubishi Pajero, known as the Mitsubishi Montero in North America and Spanish-speaking countries, and as Mitsubishi Shogun in the United Kingdom, is an SUV built by the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. The name Montero was used because Pajero means "wanker" in the Spanish language.

Thanks to its worldwide popularity, the Pajero (and Montero) names were also applied to other, unrelated models. The Pajero Mini is a keicar-sized SUV available only in Japan. The Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin (called Pajero iO in its own market and Montero iO in Spain), is a smaller SUV, similar in size to the Toyota RAV4 and the Suzuki Vitara. The JDM Mitsubishi Challenger was redubbed the Pajero Sport and Montero Sport in export markets.

First generation

The first generation was built from 1982 to 1991. It was available with a 3-door body on a short wheel base or 5-door body on long wheel base. Engines included a 2.4 L I4 with 82 kW (110 hp/112 PS), a 3.0 L V6 with EFI and 104 kW (139 hp/141 PS) and a turbocharged 2.5 L OHV Diesel I4 with 62 kW (83 hp/84 PS) or an intercooled 70 kW (94 hp/95 PS). Non-permanent four wheel drive was standard on all models. It was also built under licence by Hyundai as the Hyundai Galloper from 1991 to 2003

Second generation

The second generation was built from 1991 to 1999. It retained the two bodies variants, but design was rounder and more city-friendly than the previous bulky model. The 3.0 L V6 petrol engine was retained, now with a 24-valve head, capable of 136 kW (183 hp/185 PS), while the 2.5 turbo Diesel's power was slightly increased to 73 kW (98 hp/99 PS). In 1996, the Pajero was slightly restyled, and larger engines were introduced, a 3.5 L V6 with 153 kW (205 hp/208 PS) and 2.8 L turbo Diesel with over-head cams and 92 kW (123 hp/125 PS). These versions introduced Mitsubishi's Super Select 4WD system, with an electronic transfer shift that could move power to the front wheels while driving.

Third generation

The third generation was introduced in 1999 and is still built as of 2005, having been restyled in 2004. This was the most luxurious of the three generations, moving to a more upscale segment to fight against the Land Rover Discovery, but more importantly, to counter the Toyota Land Cruiser's growth. The 3.0 L engine's power was decreased to 130 kW (175 hp/177 PS), and the 3.5 L engine was gifted with gasoline direct injection, increasing power to 162 kW (217 hp/220 PS) in the Japanese domestic market (export versions kept the standard EFI engine, now with 149 kW (200 hp/203 PS). The 2.8 L Diesel was retained only for developping markets, and was replaced by a new 16-valve direct injection engine, with 3.2 L and 120 kW (161 hp/163 PS).

In the North American market, due to the lack of V8 engines in its model line, the 3.5 L engine was replaced for the 2003 model year by a more powerful 3.8 L unit, with 160 kW (215 hp/218 PS). The short wheel base model is not available in North America, where the Montero is the only SUV in the Mitsubishi line-up with standard 4WD. However, slow sales prompted the company to stop selling the Montero in North America as of 2007.