MITSUBISHI / PAJERO SPORT
Pajero Sport replaces G-Wagon moniker / More compact seven-seat body / Based on Triton but with new rear suspension / 2.5/3.2 turbo-diesel and 2WD/4WD options / On sale in October from B1m upwards
Design and packaging
In an effort to give the new G-Wagon a fresh presence in showrooms, Mitsubishi Motors Thailand is renaming it Pajero Sport. It will be rebadged in some other markets as well.
Designed for less sophisticated markets outside the US and Western Europe, the Pajero Sport will be called Montero Sport in South America and Challenger in Australia.
Development of the Pajero Sport is similar to that of the G-Wagon in that it is based on the one-ton pick-up manufactured in Thailand.
The front end of the Pajero Sport is sleeker than before and closely resembles that of the Triton workhorse. However, the Triton's banana-shaped C-pillars have been replaced by conventional upright themes for the Pajero Sport. The rear lights, on the other hand, ape that of the Lancer compact car.
No pictures of the Pajero Sport's interior have been revealed, although expect it to be shared with the Triton's but tweaked to look and feel more upmarket.
Mitsubishi won't reveal any dimensions until the Pajero Sport is unveiled at the Moscow motor show late next month, but only says there will be a five- and seven-seat layout for the cabin. The latter configuration has been confirmed for the Thai market.
This means that the Pajero Sport will have a more sensible wheelbase and overall length for better driving agility to match the Toyota Fortuner that's spun off the Vigo pick-up body.
Pickup-based rivals like the Ford Everest (Ranger) and Isuzu MU7 (D-Max) have been developed in accordance to the now-defunct rules of PPVs (passenger pick-up vehicles).
One rule stipulated that the wheelbase must be at least 2,850mm long which made the Everest and MU7 unnecessarily cumbersome to drive as a result of their wider turning radii and uncompetitive ramp angles for off-roading.
The other rule these two had to comply by was the use of rear leaf springs that compromised on handling/ride balance. The Fortuner uses coil springs instead.
And even though Mitsubishi hasn't mentioned it, insiders have confirmed to Motoring that the Pajero Sport follows the Fortuner's strategy, promising a more car-like drive and ride.
Engine and transmission
The Pajero Sport will use the Triton's 140hp 2.5- and 165hp 3.2-litre inline-four turbo-diesel in place of the G-Wagon's older 2.8-litre counterpart.
In other markets like Russia and the Middle East where oil isn't much of a concern, a 3.5-litre V6 petrol variation is available, but it won't be available in Thailand for good reasons.
There will be 2WD and 4WD options to choose from, most likely the Everest's approach whereby only the bigger engine gets extra traction for mud-trekking.
Gearbox options include five-speed manual and four-speed automatic with the 4WD version getting a full set of switchable gears known as Super Select in Mitsubishi speak, currently used in the Pajero flaghip SUV.
Market and price
Like before, the Pajero Sport gains on the privileged PPV tax rate of just 20%, enabling it to match prices set by rivals - between B1-1.3m.
Had it not been developed to PPV rules, it would have faced passenger car tax rates of between 35% (2.5) and 50% (3.2) just like any other ordinary car-based SUVs.
The Pajero Sport's introduction here has been brought forward to October from the year-ending Motor Expo. Although the G-Wagon replacement was long overdue, the state of its competition suggests it was a timely move by Mitsubishi.
The Fortuner is approaching mid-life with a facelift due any time, while the Everest and MU7 are soldiering on with dated packages. This should keep the Pajero Sport fresh until the end of the decade.
Mitsubishi insiders are bullish with the Pajero Sport which should help put the brand back on the top three of the SUV sales charts.
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What the Pajero Sport must beat
Ford Everest
With boxy looks, the Everest is arguably the blandest SUV here to look at. Its dated chassis isn't a match for the new diesel engines that are refined, powerful and economical. Everest has good kit, especially the unrivalled four airbags it offers.
Isuzu MU-7
Like the Everest, the MU-7 has an extra-long package as it was developed to old rules applied on PPVs. It has the same mix of 2.5 and 3.0-litre engines, plus 2WD and 4WD options and is past mid-life. The MU-7 seen here is the pre-facelift version.
Toyota Fortuner
The one to beat. The best-selling SUV has more sensible dimensions and coil springs at the rear, instead of leaf type, for better ride, that still feature in the Everest and MU-7. Facelift due anytime and it will come with sat-nav to match the Everest.
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