JDM Traditional Japanese Car Mitsubishi Pajero
Pajero is an SUV car manufactured and sold by Mitsubishi Motors from 1982 to 2021.
The name Pajero comes from the Pajero cat, a wild cat that lives in the southern regions of Chile and Argentina. It was named with the idea of coexistence of wild taste and beauty.
The 1st generation Pajero was born in April 1982 as a multi-purpose 4WD that can be used like a passenger car. Using the chassis of the pickup truck Mitsubishi Forte, it was initially set only with a 4-number metal top and canvas top. The 1st Pajero was also equipped with the first diesel turbo in Japan as a 4WD.
In 1983, the year after its debut, the Pajero participated in the Dakar Rally, which is said to be the toughest motor sport in the world, and finished 11th overall and class winner out of 62 completed races. In the following year, 1984, the Pajero finished 3rd overall and won the class. In 1985, the Pajero entered the race as a prototype and finished 1st and 2nd overall, demonstrating its toughness.
In 1991, the 2nd generation Pajero was introduced with a full model change for the first time. The 2nd generation Pajero combines the advantages of full-time 4WD and part-time 4WD, and is the world's first to be equipped with Mitsubishi's 4WD "Super Select 4WD". This "Super Select 4WD" allows free/locking of the front axle simply by switching 2WD/4WD with the transfer lever. Also, it was an epoch-making one that could switch between 2WD and 4WD while driving within 100km/h. Body types included a standard specification metal top, a mid-roof with a wider living space, a kick-up roof with a higher roof from the second row onwards, and an open specification J-top.
In September 1999, the 3rd generation appeared. The exterior uses more curves than the previous model. The body has also been enlarged to improve comfort and straight-line stability.
The interior of the top grade "Super Exceed" adopts wood steering and wood panels. The high-quality materials were used extensively to further increase the sense of luxury. The 4WD function has evolved to Super Select 4WD II, and has changed from mechanical to electric switching. And the operation feeling while driving has improved. The engine lineup includes a 3.2L direct injection diesel engine and a V6 3.5L direct injection gasoline engine. From the 3rd generation, the Pajero changed to a ladder frame built-in monocoque structure in which the ladder frame was welded to the monocoque body, greatly improving ride comfort.
In October 2006, the 4th generation appeared after a full model change. As before, there is a long body and a short body, and the engine can be selected from V6 3.8L and 3L.
In this full model change, the interior and exterior have been significantly refined. Incorporating the styling essence of the 2nd generation, such as the revival of the 3-way, 2-tone color on the long-bodied EXCEED and higher grades, the design was easy to accept by conventional Mitsubishi car fans.
In September 2010, a new 4M41 in-line 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve IC turbo (DI-D) 3,200 cc, 190 ps clean diesel engine was installed. The ladder frame built-in monocoque structure adopted in the predecessor is also adopted. Not only is it easy to use on-road, but it also has an approach angle of 36.6 degrees and a departure angle of 25 degrees, ensuring off-road driving performance that cannot be imitated by passenger car-based crossover SUVs.
And some improvements have been made, unfortunately in July 2021, the Pajero was discontinued.