New info from a claimed Mitsubishi insider says the subsequent Pajero will likely be primarily based on the Outlander PHEV, however will probably be positioned as “Japan’s Vary Rover”.
The Mitsubishi Pajero might return as a twin underneath the pores and skin to the Outlander household SUV – not the Nissan Patrol 4WD – however with luxuries and off-road capabilities to compete with Vary Rover, in accordance with a brand new report.
Japanese publication Greatest Automobile claims an organization insider has supplied particulars on the new-generation Pajero, with the range-topping SUV now set to be constructed on a automobile platform from inside Mitsubishi.
It seems any chance of the Pajero being primarily based on the Nissan Patrol – because of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance – is now closed, with the supply claiming the Pajero will share its structure with the subsequent Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Whereas not an official affirmation, the newest info backs Drive’s report from April 2023 which dominated out the potential for a Patrol-based Pajero.
Another choice – in accordance with the insider – was to develop the Pajero on the new-generation Triton ute, nonetheless it now seems as if this route was deserted because the platform didn’t provide a excessive degree of experience consolation consistent with the imaginative and prescient of the Pajero as a luxurious mannequin.
The Mitsubishi supply claims the automaker desires to supply the Pajero because the “Japanese-made Vary Rover”.
The following-generation Outlander PHEV platform is now anticipated to be an upgraded model of the present structure – recognized inside the Alliance as ‘CMF-C/D’, which underpins the Nissan X-Path and Qashqai, in addition to the Outlander.
Whereas particulars have but to be confirmed, the insider stated it’s unlikely a brand new engine will likely be developed for the Pajero, suggesting the four-wheel-drive would borrow the Outlander’s 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – although doubtlessly with assistance from a turbocharger or supercharger to spice up efficiency – in addition to its plug-in hybrid expertise.
Chatting with Drive in late 2023, Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott stated it was potential to share a platform with the Alliance, whereas retaining the distinctive character of the corporate’s autos.
“The collaboration and cooperation settlement we now have inside the alliance, they can entry a few of our platforms and we’re capable of entry a few of their platforms. You are seeing that already,” he informed Drive.
“For those who take a look at the Outlander standing on the market – the X-Path and the Outlander share the identical platform, but they nonetheless retain a particular identification.
“Our world CEO is on document of speaking about Mitsubishi-ness, and I feel we have achieved that with the Outlander.”
Mr Westcott additionally alluded to the potential for the mannequin utilizing hybrid expertise.
“The best way we make automobiles extra reasonably priced for purchasers is to share, collaborate on [research and development], on expertise.
“If I can use the [Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s hybrid] battery on the finish of the day – and I simply use simplistic analogies… in case your torch has acquired Eveready in it or it is acquired Panasonic batteries in, who cares anyway? It is a battery,” Mr Westcott stated.
Whereas it was historically a competitor to the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol SUVs, the next-generation Pajero could possibly be the corporate’s reply to the upcoming Lexus GX – a luxurious model of the Toyota LandCruiser Prado – and even as a substitute for the ultra-luxury Toyota Century SUV, which can change into Toyota’s world range-topping mannequin.
Mr Westcott beforehand informed Drive the Pajero nameplate was “very, very invaluable” to the corporate, and that “something that carries the title Pajero must be actually distinctive and a very nice automobile.”
Regardless of the Pajero being an necessary nameplate to Mitsubishi, the newest unverified report from Japan suggests the corporate is contemplating off-shore manufacturing as a method of accelerating the profitability of the Pajero and guaranteeing its long-term sustainability.
After 4 many years and greater than 3.3 million gross sales globally, the Mitsubishi Pajero ended manufacturing in 2021 – with greater than 150,000 bought in Australia.
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