|
By
ALISTAIR KENNEDY
2 October 2006
Launched here in the early 1983, Mitsubishi Pajero has long been
one of Australia’s benchmark 4WD vehicles. Indeed it played a major
role in attracting the general public to off-road vehicles by providing
levels of comfort and refinement not previously seen in affordable 4WDs.
Yet, with a separate chassis and dual-range transfer box, Pajero
remained a ‘real’ 4WD in the minds of the purists and capable of
venturing into places from which its softer rivals would be unlikely to
return.
With the release of the third-generation Pajero in 2000
Mitsubishi switched to monocoque construction, making the vehicle
lighter and more refined in on-road running, without sacrificing a
huge amount in overall strength thanks to good body design.
Pajero has now been given an upgrade with changes to both the
exterior and interior design as well as getting new petrol and
diesel engines. Interestingly Mitsubishi has also gone back to its
Pajero roots by re-introducing a three-door variant. Short
wheelbase models had been available prior to 2000 however the
growth in popularity of the compact 4WD, including Mitsubishi’s
own iO and Outlander models, saw demand drop off.
While the new SWB Pajero shares the attractive appearance of
the new breed of small SUVs it is a serious off-roader that can
cope with the most rugged of conditions. Indeed being shorter and
lighter than its five-door sibling it proved to be more nimble
and, importantly for its youthful target market, great fun to
drive. Mitsubishi expects the three-door to account for up to 11
per cent of total Pajero sales.
Such is Mitsubishi’s confidence in the new Pajero that,
rather than providing us with the standard test drive fare of
urban and highway driving, with some mild dirt roads thrown in, we
were flown to Arkaroola in the heart of South Australia’s rugged
Flinders Ranges. Although our test covered just under 100
kilometres such was the nature of the terrain that we were on (and
off) the road for around five hours. Pajero handled this severe
test without any fuss, clambering up and down steep hills, along
severely rutted tracks and across rough, dry creekbeds. One
punctured tyre from a fleet of about eight vehicles was the only
casualty.
There was plenty of power from both of the new Pajero engines,
which have the same capacity as the previous model (3.8-litre
petrol and 3.2-litre diesel). Both have been improved
significantly in terms of power, torque, efficiency and economy.
For the first time Pajero gets Mitsubishi’s MIVEC variable
valve timing engine. It generates 184 kW at 6000 rpm, almost 25
per cent more than the previous unit. Torque is up by six per
cent, to 329 Nm at just 2750 rpm. Interestingly, given the Federal
government subsidy, it is also LPG compatible.
The new Pajero diesel is the same common rail intercooled turbo
engine fitted to the new Triton ute. Smoother and quieter than the
previous unit it has maximum power of 125 kW at 3800 rpm and 358
Newton metres of torque at just 2000 revs.
Both new Pajero engines meet the Euro 4 emission standard.
All Pajero models now come with five-speed automatic
transmission including tiptronic-style manual override, the latter
used almost exclusively due to the rigorous nature of our test
drive. A five-speed manual gearbox is available only in the GLX
and VRX five-door models.
Pajero’s 4WD system has four modes: 2WD high-range, 4WD
high-range, 4WD high-range with locked transfer and 4WD low-range
with locked transfer. All but the last mentioned can be engaged
and disengaged at speeds up to 100 km/h.
Minimum wheel size is now 17-inch (previously 16-inch), with
18-inch on the three-door Pajero X and five-door VRX and Exceed
models. All are alloys. The spare tyre carrier is now mounted in
the centre of the rear door and lower than in the previous model
for improved rear visibility.
Safety features include dual front airbags, active stability
and traction control, ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce
distribution and seat belt pretensioners and force limiters. Side
and curtain airbags are standard in the Exceed and are available
as a $1000 option in all other models. A useful hill-hold feature
is also standard on all automatic models.
Five-door V6 and manual diesel models will go on sale in
mid-November with automatic five-door and all three-door models
due for release in December.
The complete Pajero range, with prices (excluding on-road
costs) is:
R SWB 3.8-litre petrol three-door: $40,990 (automatic)
R SWB 3.2-litre diesel three-door: $42,990 (automatic)
X SWB 3.8-litre petrol three-door: $47,990 (automatic)
X SWB 3.2-litre diesel three-door: $49,990 (automatic)
GLX LWB 3.8-litre petrol five-door: $49,490 (manual), $52,490
(automatic)
GLX LWB 3.2-litre diesel five-door: $51,490 (manual), $54,490
(automatic)
VRX LWB 3.8-litre petrol five-door: $56,990 (manual), $59,990
(automatic)
VRX LWB 3.2-litre diesel five-door: $51,490 (manual), $54,490
(automatic)
Exceed LWB 3.8-litre petrol five-door: $68,990 (automatic)
Exceed LWB 3.2-litre diesel five-door: $70,990 (automatic)
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
|
