.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=spacer}
A new three-row, seven-seat rugged SUV from Mitsubishi will now almost certainly be a reborn Pajero, with the brand in the USA just trademarking its own "Montero" nameplate – which is what the original Pajero was called in the States.
It is another piece of evidence added to a fast-growing pile that the Japanese brand will breath new life into the Pajero for the 2027 model year. To execute, Mitsubishi will borrow from the new Nissan Patrol.
Of course, Mitsubishi in Australia has no need to trademark "Pajero" in Australia. The brand already holds the nameplate here, given the old model was discontinued in 2021.
Double trouble: All-new Y63 Nissan Patrol and reborn Mitsubishi Pajero to team up to take down Toyota LandCruiser - reports
Iconic badges to return? Mitsubishi Lancer and Montero nameplates trademarked in the US suggest Nissan Patrol twinned Pajero and Nissan Leaf relation are coming
Mitsubishi vs Range Rover? Next-gen Mitsubishi Pajero coming as premium SUV using platform from Outlander and Nissan X-Trail - report
We know already that Mitsubishi is planning a two-prong large SUV strategy, having already teased the models in a shrouded image that labelled tham a ‘PPV’ (Pick-up Passenger Vehicle) and a ‘three-row SUV’, which suggest a Pajero Sport and Pajero, respectively.
“Mitsubishi Motor Corporation announced its line up for the next couple of years… and under the shroud there’s a large SUV in there. So the reality is yes, we have publicly announced, effectively, that we are studying a vehicle in that space,” Mitsubishi Australia CEO, Shaun Westcott, has told CarsGuide.
“I cannot tell you what it is, what it looks like, what the powertrain is, whether there’s a ladder frame, whether there’s monocoque. I cannot give you any of that information other than to say that Mitsubishi has announced that we are working on a large SUV."
We also know that Mitsubishi in Australia has its hand high in the air for a new Pajero, and would fight to retain that name for any new, capable large SUV.
"I have put up my hand and said we would love to have one because it's a very valuable nameplate, because it is a fantastic product, because it's a halo product," Mr Westcott said.
"For all of the above reasons, we would love to have one here."
According to reports out of Japan, Mitsubishi would lean on its Alliance partnership with Nissan to borrow from both the Y63 Patrol and Infiniti QX80 to deliver a new Pajero, with Japanese site Best Car suggesting work has begun for a 2027 launch.
While the new Patrol and QX80 are both expected to be share a twin-turbo petrol V6, Mitsubishi could borrow the platform and develop its own powertrain given its experience in plug-in hybrid technology.
“What our global CEO (said) is that we value… the distinctiveness of what we call Mitsubishi-ness. We can and will rebadge cars where we need to, but as we have done with the Outlander and the X-Trail, you can see (ours) is distinctively Mitsubishi," Mr Westcott says.
“We want to distinguish and differentiate ourselves… so, even if we do use Alliance products, we will because that’s how we are going to keep costs down and make our cars more affordable for consumers.
“So, when you (ask about a Pajero based on Patrol), I can’t comment on that, other than to say that if we do… we will aim to keep the Mitsubishi-ness, as said by our CEO.”
.jpg)
 (1).jpg)
.jpg)
