The Mitsubishi Pajero and Montero are returning after five years away, and Mitsubishi is considering a performance version under the Ralliart banner. The revived SUV is also set to return to rallying next year, giving the nameplate another connection to the motorsport competition that helped define its legacy.
Mitsubishi Pajero Returns to the SUV Market
Mitsubishi first introduced the Pajero in 1982, at a time when the term SUV was not widely used. In Japan, it was referred to as an RV, or recreational vehicle, and it became one of the early vehicles of its kind, although the Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol had arrived much earlier.
The Pajero was also sold as the Montero in the U.S. It remained in production until 2021, although it was removed from the North American lineup in 2006.
After five years of staying dormant, the Pajero and Montero are back. Their main targets include Toyota’s Land Cruiser, also known as the Prado, and 4Runner, as well as Nissan’s upcoming Xterra revival and ladder-frame Pathfinder.
The Pajero’s Rallying Legacy
The Pajero and Montero established themselves as capable off-road SUVs, with a focus on off-road use rather than car-like driving characteristics. But Mitsubishi’s SUV also built a major reputation in cross-country rallying, particularly through the Dakar Rally.
The Pajero and Montero have 12 Dakar Rally wins, including seven consecutive victories from 2001 to 2007. Mitsubishi now wants to recapture some of that glory with the revived model.
Ralliart Pajero Could Be Under Consideration
The Pajero is already scheduled to return to rallying next year, although its first competition will not be the Dakar Rally. Instead, it will compete in the still-grueling Asia Cross Country Rally.
A recent report from CarExpert also said Mitsubishi is considering a performance version under the Ralliart banner. However, the potential model is unlikely to be a revival of the Pajero Evolution.
The reborn Pajero is not even available with a three-door body. Instead, a Ralliart version would likely place greater emphasis on off-road capability, potentially putting it in competition with vehicles such as the Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler.
What Mitsubishi Motors Australia Said
Mitsubishi currently offers the Triton Raider, a pickup equipped with a range of chassis upgrades designed to help it go further off the beaten path. The company is interested in applying a similar approach to the Pajero and Montero, and potentially going beyond it.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia chairman John Signoriello told the Australian press, “Well, I guess we’ve got Raider as a toe in the water. And would we, as a company, like to see something like a Ralliart Pajero? Yes, we would. You know, it brings a lot of passion back into the brand, a lot of heritage back into the brand.”
Signoriello’s comments do not amount to a full commitment yet, but Mitsubishi Motors Australia is putting serious thought and effort into the possibility of a Ralliart Pajero.
“Look, we’re passionate about the [Ralliart] brand, and we know how important it will be if we could… And MMC, if they support it, we would need their support to do it. It’s not something we could just do.”
That means Mitsubishi Motors Australia still needs headquarters to support the development of a more hardcore Pajero. The company’s decision will determine whether the Ralliart Pajero moves forward.
