News continues to filter in about the incoming Mitsubishi Pajero, including the axing of an iconic body style and the off-road icons the brand will be targeting with its potentially make-or-break 4WD.
The latest news comes from Japan, where Best Car reports the iconic short-wheelbase Pajero will not feature in this new generation, marking the first time a Pajero generation hasn't offered a 'shorty' at some point in its lifespan.
Now something of a collector's item, the three-door Pajero (which was removed from sale in Australia in 2011) would likely look out of place today, where it would be a more luxurious answer to something like a Suzuki Jimny.
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Instead, the Pajero will reportedly be full-size, five-door only – in fact, it will be the biggest in its history – with its length expected to exceed five metres.
Expected to be Triton-based, and to use the Mitsubishi ute's powertrain, the Pajero will be bringing 150kW of power and 470Nm of torque to the off-road party. It should also match the ute's 3500kg braked towing capacity, and off-road capability and on-road comfort are clearly a focus.
In fact, Japanese media has already spotted a camouflaged Pajero alongside a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, presumably for benchmarking purposes, suggesting Mitsubishi has the king in its sights.
Legacy is a point not lost on Mitsubishi, which says any new model has to live up to the badge's heritage.
“For me, the Pajero is an object of admiration,” Mitsubishi's president, Keisuke Kishiura Kishiura has told Automotive News.
“Thanks to its off-road capability, allowing it to tackle any weather or road surface with confidence, its reliability, which withstands even the harshest conditions, and its ride quality and comfort that minimise fatigue on long drives, the Pajero has been cherished by customers around the world.”
The Mitsubishi Pajero is expected to launch in late 2026.