New Mitsubishi Pajero Sport first look

Mitsubishi recently revealed the new Pajero Sport. Along with looking more stylish, it has improved interiors and comes with an array of safety and driver-assist features.

 

While the overall silhouette and bulbous presence remains, the new Pajero borrows a lot of design cues from the GR-HEV concept, showcased by the carmaker at the Geneva motor show three years ago. The face gets a heavy dose of aggressiveness thanks to the sharp headlights that have LED daytime-running lamps, a new bumper, a bold grille and a generous splash of chrome. Mitsubishi calls this new design language 'Dynamic Shield'.

 

Move to the side, and what strikes first are the massive wheel arches and the huge rear overhang. Then there are the new alloy designs, and the steeply rising window line that has a crease running right below it; subtle touches that prevent the flank from appearing too bland. While the rear is large, the chrome bar helps break mass up. There are also the attractive tail-lights that seem to have been picked from the GR concept. They are quite uniquely designed, with reflectors running onto the sides and down to the bumper.

The Pajero Sport is based on Mitsubishi's pick-up truck called Triton, and some of the elements in the cabin too are borrowed from it. Difference is, the ambience in the Pajero cabin is a lot more upmarket than its utilitarian cousin. Nice elements include the chunky four-spoke multifunction steering wheel, flowing centre console, brushed silver inserts, and leather upholstery. The new Pajero’s seats look large and well cushioned, and there’s also a lot of legroom on offer.

 

The new Pajero Sport gets kit such as a touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree camera, seven airbags and an electronic hand brake. Other new features include autonomous braking, Blind spot Monitor, Hill Descent Control and a system to avoid misacceleration.

 

The engine powering the new Pajero is a 2.4-litre MIVEC turbo diesel which comes mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Power figures have still not been revealed, but the carmaker claims that the model has been tuned to be more fuel efficient than its predecessor. The new Pajero also gets a four-wheel-drive system, and a new off-road mode.

 

Mitsubishi will be manufacturing the new Pajero Sport in Thailand. Hindustan Motors Finance Corporation Ltd and Mitsubishi Motor Corporation – Japan has planned to roll out this new model to Indian market in mid of 2017 only and it will be brought in the form of a CKD unit, and assembled at the Hindustan Motors’ Chennai Car plant (CCP) in Tamil Nadu. When launched, it will take on the likes of the new Ford Endeavour, new Toyota Fortuner and the upcoming Chevrolet Trailblazer.