A new teaser website for the upcoming Mitsubishi Pajero confirms that the SUV will launch on September 2 with a ladder-frame chassis and Super All-Wheel Control, the all-wheel-drive system first seen on the tenth and final generation of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
2027 Mitsubishi Pajero: Everything We Know About the Legendary SUV’s Return
Mitsubishi Pajero Brings Back Iconic Features
The teaser website also confirms that the Pajero, which Mitsubishi has also referred to as the Montero, will revive the model’s iconic Triple Multi Meter. The system provides readouts for altitude, roll and pitch.
The Montero was the U.S.-market version of the Pajero before it went away in 2006. A North American version of the body-on-frame SUV is expected to reach the U.S. market around 2030, although some details about the vehicle remain unanswered.
Mitsubishi Pajero Powertrain Remains Unknown
Although Mitsubishi is emphasizing nostalgia and rally-bred toughness in its marketing, the new Pajero will differ from previous generations. Production is moving from Sakahogi, Japan, to Thailand, likely using the bones of the Mitsubishi Triton, a mid-size ladder-frame truck that is not sold in America.
A hybrid powertrain has been hinted at, but the new Pajero is likely to use a diesel-assisted system. If and when the Montero reaches the American market, it is expected to adopt something gas-powered. The same is expected for a smaller crossover that will rival the Toyota RAV4 and become part of a new family of Pajero-based projects.
Pajero Carries a Strong Rally Legacy
As noted by Automotive News, Mitsubishi cited a positive review of the Pajero from Japanese rally racing icon Hioshi Masuoka.
“If there were a race around the world, the fastest vehicle might well be the Pajero,” he said. “It is a vehicle that doesn’t choose its path. Whether in the desert or on the highway, in snow or in rain, it ensures everyone reaches their destination reliably, and brings every passenger home safely in the end.”
The Pajero name carries a strong Dakar-winning history, putting pressure on the new model to live up to its predecessor’s reputation as an all-rounder.
Why the New Pajero Matters for Mitsubishi
The upcoming Pajero will be critical to Mitsubishi’s prospects of improving global sales and restoring its identity as a maker of rugged loose-surface specialists.
For a potential U.S.-bound Montero, its body-on-frame construction, decent road manners and rugged yet handsome design will be important. A competitive price without sacrificing too much comfort or capability could also play a major role in its potential success.
Mitsubishi also plans to take a bite out of Toyota RAV4 sales. If those plans work, the company could find itself in a strong enough financial position to pursue more exciting products, including hardcore Ralliart versions of the Pajero and other SUVs.
If Mitsubishi can sustain the growth it is hoping for, a Lancer Evolution comeback could also be considered someday.
The new Mitsubishi Pajero is set to make its official debut on September 2, with its ladder-frame construction, Super All-Wheel Control system and returning Triple Multi Meter among the key details already confirmed.
