Redesigned Mitsubishi Pajero Sport coming to Moscow
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
Like every other automaker under the sun, Mitsubishi is in the process of expanding its reach into Russia. In 2007, the automaker offloaded over 100,000 vehicles in the world's largest country (size, not population) and is looking to sell approximately 140,000 units this year.
Not surprisingly, it's chosen the Moscow Auto Show in August to unveil the next generation Pajero Sport SUV, before sales begin in South-East Asia, South America, Australia and the Middle East later this year.
The new Pajero Sport (or Challenger, depending on the market) is packing all the "active lifestyle" accoutrements you'd expect, including water-repellent seats, 2- or 3-row seating that can accommodate between five and seven passengers, and a waterproof luggage compartment that will come in handy after you've hiked through the volcanoes of Kamchatka.
Power will be provided by either a 2.5- or 3.2-liter common rail diesel, or if oilburners aren't your taste, a 3.5-liter V6 can send power to all four wheels through Mitsubishi's Super Select 4WD system. However, don't expect to see the Pajero in the U.S. or Europe anytime soon.
The press release is available after the jump.
Gallery: 2009 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
PRESS RELEASE
New Mitsubishi Pajero Sport SUV to be unveiled at 2008 Moscow Motor Show
Tokyo July 17 2008 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will unveil its new Pajero Sport*1 SUV model at the Moscow Auto Salon 2008 (The Moscow Motor Show) to be held at the Crocus Expo in Moscow between August 26 and September 7 (opens to the public on August 29). The new Pajero Sport will be phased in selected regions*2 such as Russia, the ASEAN area, the Middle East, Latin America and Oceania starting in the fall this year.
*1 The model will carry a different name in different markets: Montero Sport in South America, Nativa in Latin America and Challenger in Australia.
*2 The new Pajero Sport will neither be sold in Central & Western Europe nor in North America, where other types of SUVs are favored.
The new Pajero Sport features dynamic and sporty exterior lines, complemented by a stylish and vast interior space that engenders a sense of comfort, purpose and safety. This cabin, available in either a 2-row (5-passenger) or 3-row (7-passenger) seating configuration is also very practical with water-repellent seats and a waterproof luggage compartment floor, ideal for leisure use.
Mitsubishi's latest SUV will be powered by a choice of three engines which all deliver outstanding motive performance and fuel economy: 2.5-liter and 3.2-liter common rail direct injection diesel units and a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline unit*3.
In terms of architecture, the body of the Pajero Sport is mounted on a new ladder frame to realize high levels of durability and reliability, consistent with the needs of its target markets.
Mitsubishi's All Wheel Control philosophy, forged through its participation in the Dakar Rally and other contests, informs all of the company's 4WD systems. The new model will use the Super Select 4WD system, also used in the Pajero*4 SUV, which transmits drive torque effectively to all four wheels on all types of surface. The body, frame and driveline not only give Pajero Sport outstanding off-road performance but allow it to deliver excellent drive dynamics over all surfaces.
The choice of the Moscow Motor Show to unveil the new Pajero Sport is a clear indication of Russia's eminent position within Mitsubishi Motors. In fiscal 2007 Mitsubishi Motors sold some 100,000 vehicles on the Russian market, boosted by the ever successful Lancer line-up and a popular range of SUVs.
MMC is confident that the new Pajero Sport SUV will make a strong addition to its SUV range, which also includes the Pajero and Outlander. Coming on the heels of the introduction of the Lancer*5 sports sedan last year, this will allow MMC to expand SUV sales and hit a total sales volume of 140,000 units on the Russian market in fiscal 2008.
*3 Russian-spec vehicle will only be available with the 3.2-liter diesel engine and 2-row, 5-passenger capacity seating arrangement.
*4 "Montero" in Spanish-speaking countries and "Shogun' in the UK.
*5 Galant Fortis in Japan.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tankd0g 11:00AM (7/17/2008)
Mitsubishi 4 Runner? I guess there's only so many ways to make a box on wheels.
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inteller 11:01AM (7/17/2008)
Puke! Did someone at Mitsu not get the memo? SUVs are dead!
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Mehul 11:04AM (7/17/2008)
Exactly!
Plus this thing looks like from the 90's. Good thing they killed the Montero in USA so this is not coming here
senseamp 12:25PM (7/17/2008)
SUV is not going to be dead in Russia for a very very long time, courtesy of roads like these:
http://www.englishrussia.com/?p=315
Luis 2:38PM (7/17/2008)
@inteller: SUV's not dead in Russia. We've owned a 2000 Montero Sport since new and have had no problems at all. Decent mileage, just enough room for Lowe's, and not too gargantuan so as to take up 2 parking spaces.
Fyrewerx 8:38PM (7/17/2008)
I've owned a Montero Sport since new in 1997 (it still only has 65,000 miles on it). It has been bullet proof (it even got nailed in the right front by a Dunlap armored truck about a year and a half ago) and reliable. And the best part is that it is only 178.6 inches long -- comparable in length to a Ford Focus sedan. Yet, the interior space is equal to a Forerunner. Obviously, a '97 Monty Sport isn't a gas mizer (gas was only about $1.20/gal at the most). An updated model "might" do well in the U.S. now ..... on second thought, probably not. Most folks want uglier boxes == Honda Elefant or Scion B.
Avinash machado 11:09AM (7/17/2008)
So just as the US market turns away from SUV's Russia is becoming a large market for SUV's. Maybe the Detroit 3 should think about introducing their SUV's in Russia. There might be good demand there for Tahoes,Explorers,Durango's etc.
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Luis 5:22PM (7/17/2008)
@Avinash: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=115748
Omer 11:10AM (7/17/2008)
IMHO Pajero (along with Toyota land cruiser) used to be the gold standard for a "REAL" SUV until every soccer mom wanted one. Now Mitsubishi doesn't built Pajeros like it used to. New models always seem to loose the utility for style rendering these kind of vehicles useless for any serious off-roading task. I'll take a first gen Pajero anyday over this.
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G-Meister 12:44PM (7/17/2008)
The Pajero (Motero) Sport still isn't too bad. Its based directly on their little pick-up, which is plenty stout. Today the standard for robustness is the Nissan Patrol or the 78 Series land cruiser. Those still come with crank-up window, 5speed manuals, and 2 solid axles.
Vintage 11:10AM (7/17/2008)
How are russians affording these things? All these new cars... the money has to come from somewhere. Is it being sapped out of the US by the Russian Crime Syndicate? Or what? Because last I checked Russia doesn't really produce anything, or export anything, vodka excluded.
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inteller 11:15AM (7/17/2008)
wow, you are a true idiot. Russia's oil and natural gas wealth out strips most of the Middle East. They don't get rich off of us much, but they have Europe by the balls.
jb 12:45PM (7/17/2008)
how about tons of oil?
Swede 11:22AM (7/17/2008)
You clearely missed the huge oil and natural gas reserves.
Swede 11:24AM (7/17/2008)
Damn the commenting system really lags.
Vintage 11:34AM (7/17/2008)
Yeah, I did miss that. The only things I know about Russia are:
- Vodka
- Hot chicks
- Cold war
- Space race
- Commies
- Vodka
- Missiles
- Horrible vehicles
- Broke as hell economy
- Fuzzy hats
- Expensive mercedes with ugly paint
- Amber room
- Submarines
- Vodka
Colin Smith 11:52AM (7/17/2008)
Oil wealth...
You are being ironic I'm sure in your list of Russian 'knowledge', but Russia is a deeply fascinating country, now busy morphing from totalitarian socialism to totalitarian capitalism. It is becoming rather like it was before the revolution, but with a completely different set of powerful families in charge.
What goes around...
Paul Tan 12:15PM (7/17/2008)
this is a low cost truck built on the triton pickup's ladder frame that only shares a name with the expensive unibody pajero
Keat 11:10AM (7/17/2008)
Slow news day?
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tanooki2003 11:11AM (7/17/2008)
This would be a perfect replacement for the once popular Montero Sport sold here in NA up until 2004. Instead we have a gas swallowing Endeavor that is bland all the way around as well as having an ugly exposed rear underside. it's almost like looking at a 500lb fat woman lifting up her skirt and revealing a bit too much for the eyes to handle.
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