Mitsubishi Pajero revival and next-gen Pajero Sport might be one and the identical – report
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Rumours have abounded for a while that the Mitsubishi Pajero can be revived, however it seems extra doubtless the next-generation Pajero Sport will merely ditch the ‘Sport’ suffix and be bought in additional markets.
NHK World Japan reviews a brand new Thai-built Pajero can be launched in Japan in December 2026 to assist enhance the model’s gross sales there.
Nonetheless, a alternative for the present, decade-old Pajero Sport is ready to be revealed within the coming months, with the mannequin to proceed being in-built Thailand.
The present Pajero Sport isn’t bought in Japan, so this improvement means that as an alternative of a brand new, bespoke flagship SUV for the model, the Pajero nameplate will merely be used on one other era of the Triton ute-based Pajero Sport.
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It additionally casts doubt on earlier reviews from Japanese media that the Pajero nameplate can be revived on an Outlander-based plug-in hybrid SUV.
It’s unclear at this stage whether or not the Pajero Sport alternative can be referred to as the Pajero right here. A December 2026 launch in Japan suggests a reveal of the car is imminent, so we received’t have lengthy to attend to seek out out extra.
Latest spy pictures present the next-generation Pajero Sport will function chunkier, extra fashionable styling seemingly impressed by the mid-size Destinator in-built Indonesia.
The following-generation off-roader has a boxy, upright silhouette however pronounced shoulders and wheel-arches, in addition to the model’s new signature T-shaped lighting components entrance and rear.
Not like the final Pajero, which featured unibody building, the brand new off-roader is sort of sure to share its body-on-frame underpinnings with the Triton.
Which means it’s prone to function the identical 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel four-cylinder engine, producing 150kW of energy and 470Nm of torque, and mated with a six-speed automated or six-speed handbook transmission with both rear- or four-wheel drive.
Unusually, the identical car has lately been spied testing within the US, the place the Pajero Sport has by no means been supplied and the place diesel-powered off-roaders are nearly non-existent.
The off-roader’s Challenger predecessor was bought there from 1997 till 2004 because the Montero Sport, whereas the Pajero was bought there because the Montero till 2006.
Mitsubishi additionally hasn’t supplied its Triton ute within the US in a long time. The Mighty Max, because it was recognized, was axed in 1996, and Mitsubishi has solely briefly supplied a ute – a restyled Dodge Dakota referred to as the Raider – from 2006 till 2009.
The Pajero, aka Montero and Shogun, was produced for 4 generations from 1982 till 2021 and served because the model’s flagship SUV.
All 4 generations have been produced in the identical Pajero Manufacturing plant in Sakahogi, Gifu Prefecture in Japan, earlier than it was bought to an organization that produces bathroom paper.
Koichi Namiki, government officer answerable for product at Mitsubishi Motors, advised Australian media in 2023 the Pajero is “the center of our model” and that he wished it to return.
“If we do this, in fact we wish to management every part. We would utilise a few of the Alliance programs and parts, however we want to produce our car,” Namiki-san mentioned.
Though he admitted the Pajero is a “excessive precedence” in his personal thoughts, Namiki-san mentioned altering priorities inside Mitsubishi Motors globally pushed by tightening emissions requirements imply it’s not a excessive precedence inside the firm.
The present Pajero Sport has been in manufacturing since 2015, although Mitsubishi ceased exports to our market earlier this yr because the off-roader didn’t meet a brand new Australian Design Rule (ADR) regarding autonomous emergency braking.
The identical situation affected the outgoing ASX and Eclipse Cross, although Mitsubishi was in a position to safe adequate inventory forward of the March 1, 2025 cut-off to assist tide itself over till contemporary product is prepared.
For context, Mitsubishi nonetheless delivered 452 Pajero Sports activities final month, and has delivered 3758 to date this yr. It’s unclear whether or not inventory will dry up forward of the next-generation SUV’s launch.
MORE: Discover the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport showroom
