Mitsubishi Pajero Di-D 2002 Review

Once considered something only a hardened 'man of the land' would own, diesels are enjoying a newfound popularity. Sales have tripled to 7200 in the last decade on the back of its trademark strengths of good fuel economy and practical towing. According to Mitsubishi, one in every two upper-medium and large 4WDs bought are diesel, and transmission choice has swung from 95 percent manual in 1994 to 50 percent auto in 2001.

Chris Maxted is the marketing and product planning manager for Mitsubishi and he reckons the reason for these buying changes are the diesel's growing popularity with city slickers. Sometimes up to 50 percent more fuel efficient than their petrol cousins, diesels are a smarter choice for big 4WD buyers. But it hasn't always been a glamorous one, with drivers relegated to the oily, smelly truck bowser out back at the petrol station, and the high compression diesel engine clattering loudly through quiet night suburban streets.

Diesels of today are much quieter than before, and far more civilised - easier to drive and easier to live with. And this new Pajero 3.2-litre four-cylinder diesel is no exception.

In recent years 90 percent of Pajero buyers have opted for the 3.5-litre V6 petrol version, just one in 10 deciding the 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel was the one for them. With the arrival of the new, bigger 3.2-litre turbocharged, intercooled diesel, Mistubishi's brains trust reckon one in four will choose the diesel.

Mitsubishi claims the new 3.2-litre four cylinder diesel engine, with direct fuel injection, represents a substantial increase in performance over the old 2.8. The figures concur; the new engine produces 121kiloWatts of power and 373 Newton-metres of torque, both low down in the rev range where they'll do the most good. This is 32 percent more power and 28 percent more torque than before, and a similar amount more than its major competitor, the Toyota Prado.

Mitsubishi claims the major advantage of direct injection engines is that you can effectively do away with the swirl chamber - a chamber where diesel and air are 'premixed' before feeding into the cylinder for compression and combustion. The much higher pressure swirl injectors promote a more even distribution of diesel mist into the combustion chamber, which not only evens out detonation and burn, Mitsubishi reckons, but also leads to cleaner engine emissions.

The advantages to direct injection are best experienced from the drivers' seat. The Pajero Di-D accelerates from rest to 100km/h in 12.0 seconds, that's 5.3 seconds quicker than the old 2.8-litre turbo. Mitsubishi claims that this extra performance won't cost you extra at the fuel pump, citing European fuel tests that show the new 3.2-litre diesel to be 25 percent more fuel economical.

It should be noted that Australia currently has no standard for rating diesel fuel economy, so this figure can't be compared against other diesel 4WDs on sale in Australia.

Mitsubishi will be offering two transmissions with the Di-D model, a five speed manual and the five speed Invecs II auto. The Invecs automatic transmission is the same one used in petrol variants, and is an 'intelligent' gearbox, capable of learning your driving style and changing its shift patterns to match. It also features a 'tiptronic' style gate for sequential manual gear selection.

Pajero's super select 4WD shift system still rates as one of the easiest to use, perhaps only the Pathfinder and Explorer are more simple. Shifting from 2WD to 4WD can be accomplished on the move at speeds up to 100km/h.

Our brief drive of the new Pajero Di-D in Outback New South Wales proved a real eye opener - Mitsubishi has a very good product on its hands in the Pajero Di-D. The 3.2-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engine is a little ripper and drives admirably well both in town and in the country. The Pajero handles city driving easily and sedately, and the higher driving position affording great visibility over passenger cars.

The engine accelerates willingly enough from as little as 1000rpm right through to its 4000rpm redline. Over that it dies away very quickly. Gearchanges are smooth and confident, with no stuttering or unnecessary shuffles. It kicks down eagerly enough when you need the extra grunt, though that's not always necessary with the strong torque characteristics of this engine.

Petrol drivers will find the diesel noisier than they're used to, but by diesel standards its on par with the quieter engines on the market. Styarting the engine is a quick, no-fuss affair, with no need to wait for the glow plugs to heat up before firing.

Nothing's changed in the suspension department, the Pajero still suspended by a double wishbone/coil spring arrangement that keeps the occupants well cushioned while keeping all four wheels in contact with the earth as much as possible. The Pajero does enjoy a good lean in corners, the body rolling sometimes luridly in tighter turns, but still feels safe and secure on the road.

Mitsubishi will make the 3.2-litre turbodiesel engine available in three models; GLX, GLS and Exceed. The new engine adds around $2000 to the bottom line of these models, and also adds cruise control, optional auto transmission ($3000) and class leading power and torque. In our book the new direct injection Pajero turbodiesel presents a compelling argument for leaving the petrol camp, and taking a trip down oil-burner lane. Think of the money you'll save at the bowser...