Mitsubishi Pajero to be resurrected as plug-in hybrid – report

Mitsubishi Pajero to be resurrected as plug-in hybrid – report

After a five-year absence, an unconfirmed report out of Japan suggests the Mitsubishi Pajero could be making a return.

The 1990s was a golden era for Mitsubishi, with the Japanese car maker offering a strong selection of models across all segments. Cars like the Mirage, Lancer, Magna, Triton, Express, and Challenger – as well as performance heroes, the 3000GT/GTO and Lancer Evolution.

At the top of the line-up was the flagship Pajero, a capable family four-wheel-drive – often seen as a more comfortable alternative to the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol.

Above: The 2021 Mitsubishi Pajero Final Edition

Mitsubishi retired the ageing Pajero in 2021, with the smaller Triton-based Pajero Sport left for those wanting a capable off-road family SUV.

Now, Japanese publication Best Car is reporting Mitsubishi has plans to resurrect the Pajero in the coming years, with the vehicle potentially making its public debut as soon as 2026.

According to the report, the Pajero will be positioned as a “Japanese Range Rover-like vehicle” – aligning the model as a competitor to the forthcoming new-generation Nissan Patrol, the current Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, and the LandCruiser’s luxury counterpart, the Lexus LX.

In recent years, senior Mitsubishi executives have confirmed plans to introduce a large SUV to the company’s model range – strongly suggesting it could be the Pajero, given the nameplate is so valuable to the brand.

In early 2023, Mitsubishi revealed future product plans to introduce a seven-seater SUV for markets including Australia, Africa, South-East Asia, and Latin America.

Using the same underpinnings as the next-generation Outlander, the Pajero is rumoured to be offered as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) – allowing the vehicle to be driven using electric power before the petrol engine takes over.

It’s believed this will likely be an updated version of the 2.4-litre engine and plug-in hybrid technology found in the current Outlander PHEV, which allows for a claimed 84 kilometres of electric driving range.

Above and top: A digital rendering of what a future Mitsubishi Pajero could look like. Credit: Enoch Gonzales

However, the possibility of a supercharged 1.5-litre petrol engine has also been raised.

If so, we could see the new Pajero adopt a similar hybrid system to that used in the Nissan X-Trail – which shares its vehicle architecture with the Outlander – in which the petrol engine merely supplies electricity to the battery and electric motors.

These digital renderings by artist Enoch Gonzales provide an idea of what the new Pajero could look like, based on Mitsubishi’s current design language.

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FAQ

Is there a new Mitsubishi Pajero coming?

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Though not officially confirmed at this stage, senior Mitsubishi executives have said there are plans for a large SUV in the future, while reports from Japanese publications claim Mitsubishi is working on a new Pajero.

When did Mitsubishi discontinue the Pajero?

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The last Mitsubishi Pajero was sold in Australia in 2021.

When is the new Mitsubishi Pajero coming out?

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Unconfirmed reports suggest the new-generation Mitsubishi Pajero could make its public debut as soon as 2026.

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Ben Zachariah
Ben Zachariah is a seasoned writer and motoring journalist from Melbourne, having worked in the automotive industry for more than two decades. Ben began writing professionally more than 15 years ago and has written for Drive.com.au, Wheels, MOTOR, 4X4 Australia, Street Machine and CarSales.com.au. He has also freelanced for watch enthusiast website Time+Tide and US defence website Task & Purpose. He completed his MBA in Finance in early 2021 and is considered an expert on classic car investment.
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