In a bid to keep the Pajero (earlier sold in India as the Montero) fresh, Mitsubishi has brought out a facelift of its flagship SUV with a few design-based changes and more equipment. This refreshed model, which will go on sale in China, is but one of the facelifts and special editions (like the Final Edition for European markets) for the Pajero in international markets, meant to keep the sales buoyant until the all-new model arrives sometime in the future.
In terms of design, the majority of changes can be seen right at the front. There’s a new chrome-finished grille with more slats, framed by vertical intakes and the centre of the front bumper also gets a chrome finish. The hood now features the Pajero name plate in gold, along with a gold-plated, grille-mounted Mitsubishi logo. While the sides of the new SUV are near-identical to the pre-facelift model (barring some new decals), the new Pajero’s rear also gets some chrome and gold on the tail-lamps and rear logo, respectively.
The cabin now features an updated infotainment system and wireless charging for smartphones, along with heated seats as an optional extra. While the model sold in India gets a faux-wood finish, the facelift model for China also gets the same on the dashboard.
Under the hood of the China-spec Pajero is the same 174hp/255Nm, 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine.
In India, Mitsubishi brought the latest-gen Pajero to the market as the Montero in 2016, though has discontinued the model since. It was powered by a 3.2-litre, direct-injection diesel engine that made 192hp and 441Nm of peak torque. The model didn’t do all that well in the market as it was brought in as a CBU, which contributed to its high asking price and lack of features compared to rivals like the Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, the Jaguar F-Pace and the BMW X5.
The Japanese brand had launched its first all-new model in India in six years just last month, the seven-seat Outlander, which is priced at Rs 31.54 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
