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Mitsubishi has released a special edition Ralliart variant of its Pajero Sport model overseas, though the brand’s local division says it could have something a little more compelling in its sights for the local market.
What is essentially a sticker pack in the Philippines, the special edition Pajero Sport – known as the Mondero Sport locally – features an array of design tweaks, such as special White Diamond paint, black gloss rims, red bumper accents and a huge Ralliart art decal plastered on the car’s rear third quarter.
Underneath, though, everything remains stock-standard, with the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine that produces 133kW/430Nm through an eight-speed automatic transmission going unchanged from the regular model.
Strangely, it isn’t even being offered with Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II system. Rather, the special-edition is exclusive to the rear-wheel drive variant, according to Top Gear Phillipines.
Product Public Relations Manager at Mitsubishi Australia, Adam Davis, said that's why the brand isn’t keen to roll out the model locally.
“Similar to previous Ralliart design models offered in other markets, Mitsubishi Motors Australia will not offer this option for Pajero Sport,” he said in a statement.
“We continue discussions with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to best understand how to apply Ralliart locally, and we want to do its heritage justice.”
How and when a Ralliart for the local market takes shape is unclear at this stage, although rumours of special-edition Ralliart Triton have been brewing for quite some time.
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Mitsubishi CEO Shaun Westcott told CarsGuide at the Triton’s national launch in March that the brand has been “asking [head office] for a Ralliart”, with other ute-loving markets such as South Africa also thought to be keen.
Should one come to Australia, it could take shape as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with a petrol engine to take on the Ford Ranger PHEV and BYD Shark 6, particularly as the brand leans into the technology more following the success of the Outlander PHEV.
The brand’s 2024 dealer conference outlined its path to electrification earlier this year, with a keen focus on embracing more hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery technology before 2030.
If the model does end up being a Triton off-spring, it is likely to bear a strong resemblance to the souped-up AXCR Triton that Mitsubishi revealed in July as its entrant into the Asia Cross Country Rally.
Digital artist, Thanos Pappas, imagined what a Triton Ralliart might look like in digital renderings for CarsGuide back in July.
The render shows it with approximately 50mm of additional ground clearance over the regular model thanks to new coil springs, higher-end dampers, thick all-terrain tyres and smaller off-road wheels.
There’s an underbody skid plate integrated into the front bumper, while exterior and interior Ralliart badging would be a given.
If we don’t see a Triton Ralliart, the alternative option could very well be our own special-edition Pajero Sport Ralliart – if not both.
We know Mitsubishi is working on a new large SUV “halo” model, which is possibly the next-generation Pajero Sport. The current model debuted in 2015. Equally, it could be an all-new Pjero.
The news was previously revealed to CarsGuide by Shaun Westcott.
“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,” he said.
"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.”
To us that suggests a LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Y62 Patrol rival could very well be in the works, probably for a 2026 release at the earliest.
For now, though, only time will tell.
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