The next big thing? Rumoured Toyota Mini LandCruiser FJ might already be getting Mitsubishi Pajero Mini rival with possible shrunken Nissan Patrol all vying for Suzuki Jimny's market share: Report

It seems like the next big thing may not be so big after all. 

Mini four-wheel drives are all the rage in Japan at the moment, with speculation running rife about Toyota’s Mini LandCruiser FJ expected to be a cut-price, RAV4-sized ‘fourby’. 

Mitsubishi has now entered the chat. The brand with three diamonds has a rich history with the Pajero Mini, also known as the Pajero iO that started in 1994 and ran for nearly 20 years.

Rather than a shrunken ladder-frame 4WD like the Suzuki Jimny, the Pajero iO was like its big brother with its monocoque construction splitting the difference between rough and tumble off-road wagon and city car — not unlike Toyota’s first-gen RAV4. 

At the moment, Japanese outlet BestCar admits its information is not entirely reliable, though a new Pajero Mini is looking likely. It will be a Kei class car, Japan’s ultra-compact segment limited in size and engine capacity. 

As part of their alliance agreement, Mitsubishi goes in on these small cars with Nissan in a joint venture. The most recent collaboration being the Sakura and eK X electric micro-vans. If Pajero comes to life in miniature, one could imagine a Patrol version existing, too.

BestCar reports Mitsubishi had previously insisted the Pajero Mini be based on a ladder frame chassis, though this appears to be changing, potentially kick-starting development. 

As a four-wheel drive model only, a future Pajero Mini is likely to be powered by a 659cc three-cylinder petrol engine in Japan in either turbo or naturally aspirated guises with mild-hybrid boost.

Mitsubishi has found success offering a rugged kei car already with the shrunken Delica Mini, so Pajero could find similar interest.

The Jimny conforms to Kei class rules in Japan, where it gets smaller wheel arch flares and bumpers along with a shrunken turbo engine, compared to the wider-bodied Oz-market 'JB64'. A similar approach could take place with the new Pajero Mini, perhaps. 

Mitsubishi is expected to bring a full-size Pajero to market as well but conjecture surrounds what shape it will take — will it be a Patrol clone? A luxurious take based on a version of the Outlander platform? A plug-in hybrid? All will be revealed in time.