The Pajero name in Malaysia has become so ‘household’ that many will use it when talking about ANY 4 wheel drive vehicle. Since the Malaysian government took delivery of the early 1980’s Pajero LO model for its police, field force, army, road transport department and various other departments that never really had to venture off road, the Pajero was become the benchmark for everything ‘off the beaten track’ for many years. After the previous brand distributor USF was released of its guardianship to Mitsubishi Malaysia, the Pajero disappeared from our radar until they decided to revive its name with a Triton based SUV….giving it the name Pajero Sport.
Selling well and doing duties more as a multi passenger carrier, we still wanted to see the ‘Original’ Pajero arrive here and so it did late last year. This is the Pajero Exceed 3.8-liter. The real Pajero. Known for its 4×4 engineering, it is a testament to the toughness Mitsubishi have built into their Pajeros in use at the most grueling rally of all, the Dakar Rally which runs 13,346km across the Sahara Desert and the Mauritanian Desert. It has seen a Pajero on the podium almost every year it has been running.
From or 1st impression, this Pajero’s design has changed little from the previous model. It however still carries a tough macho look and side by side with the Harrier and Murano you realize how much softer the competition is. This Pajero looks ready to tackle the logging trail, village roads and the outer reaches of your farm with ease. It is better suited parked alongside the Discovery or Prado which are both also 7 seaters. Its only urban feature seems to be the smooth pearl metallic paint finish.
Step up inside (its ride height is high for obvious reasons) and you have well positioned grab handles on all doors. Electric seats offer good driving position. The driver gets a carlike console up ahead in nice blue on white colour combination meters.
The lower center stack houses the 5-speed gear shifter and the on demand 2WD to 4WD selector. On the top of the center console is the 12 speaker Rockford Fosgate in car entertainment control and a full multifunction display which will keep your kids busy with off road information at a touch of a button.
Middle row passengers get good reclining seats for added long distance comfort. 3rd row seats fold neatly under the luggage floor and needs some sweating to get it up and ready for use. With the third row folded into the boot floor,
luggage space measures in at 1050 litres. Fold both the second and third row seats, and that expands to 1758 litres. Getting to the 3rd row is decent and offer almost as good seating as in the new Land Rover Discovery 4.
Air-condition vents are available in the rear with their own climate control buttons.
Start the engine and the V6 sounds docile as insulation is very good. Initial pickup is decent but once the engine is turns faster the kick in the rear torque is impressive. The 5-speed shifts are smooth and the engine does not feel out of breath right up even 180km/h. The 3.8-liter petrol engine produces 175kW at 5500rpm and 184kW at 6000rpm with the auto. Peak torque is 329Nm at 2750rpm.
On the highway there is very little wallowing as this Pajero is equipped with front and rear independent suspension. Its composure on both tarmac and gravel is class-leading. Disc brakes are fitted all-round. The ABS calibration works well on both gravel and mud. The Pajero has a 36.6 degree approach angle, 25 degree departure angle and 22.5 degree ramp break-over angle. Good wheel articulation, abundant traction, decent ground clearance and plenty of low-end torque makes the Pajero a capable performer if it is to be taken far off the beaten track. The Pajero’s 4WD system has a centre differential and a viscous centre coupling. High range is available in 2WD and 4WD, with the latter able to be used on the tarmac. Normal torque split is 33/67, front/rear, but it can be varied up to 50/50. 4WD High can also be used with the centre differential locked; it is locked when 4WD Low is selected. A rear diff lock is standard.
Mitsubishi will sell you this fully imported Japanese made Pajero with ABS Brakes with EBD; Active Stability Control; Active Traction Control; Engine Brake Assist Control; Hill Hold Assist; Reversing Sensors; Driver, passenger and side curtain airbags.
It ticks all the boxes when we were finished with the test drive but left a question on its looks in our mind.
