Mitsubishi Pajero is no ‘Triton in disguise’

Mitsubishi has moved to head off the obvious question over its reborn Pajero – is it just a dressed-up Triton? – insisting the seven-seat flagship is a bespoke 4x4 that borrows only a handful of elements from its popular ute.

Where the old Pajero Sport was closely tied to the Triton, engineers say the new Pajero has been re-engineered almost everywhere it counts.

Priced from $68,490 plus on-road costs, the Pajero shares its basic architecture with the Triton but little else.

That’s the word according to Mitsubishi chief product specialist for Pajero, Kunitoshi Itagaki, who says the ladder frame structure was ‘adapted’ from Triton, not duplicated.

“While based on the new generation frame introduced with Triton, the all-new Pajero features extensive model-specific engineering, including the shorter wheelbase, additional cross members, structural refinement, and enlarged side members,” said Itagaki.

At 2870mm, the Pajero’s wheelbase is 260mm shorter than the dual-cab Triton’s 3130mm span.

Asked what was the difference between Triton and Pajero, Itagaki-san added that the more expensive SUV features and advances in materials and engineering technologies “…have improved durability and torsional rigidity [for new Pajero], while related technologies such as suspension and tyres have also improved,” he said.

“As a result, we selected this architecture as the ideal foundation for the all-new Pajero,” he said.

The new Mitsubishi Pajero’s chief vehicle engineer Takaaki Matsumoto was blunt about how far the Pajero strays from its donor.

“Commonality with Triton? Largely speaking, most of our components are renewed from the Triton,” he said.

“Only the front section of the ladder frame and the front floor is common to Triton. But the rest is renewed or modified compared to the Triton.

“In order to make the Pajero – not Pajero Sport – we have to achieve that target. In order to achieve that target we changed [and] we renewed most of the components.”

The suspension is also Pajero-specific, explained Itagaki.

 “The front and the rear suspension systems were developed exclusively for all new Pajero.

“At the front, we adapted a high-mounted double wishbone suspension to achieve greater lateral rigidity … the new Pajero features custom-developed five-link rigid rear suspension.

“This delivers both outstanding off-road capability and exceptional ride comfort. We established a unique development benchmark called ‘off-road comfort’. This keyword, this is a really important keyword for us, off-road comfort,” added the chief product specialist.

“Our goal was not simply to handle rough roads, but to help people travel with confidence, comfort, and peace of mind. This is like our personal passion and our key future.

He noted that the powertrain was an ‘adaption’ of the Triton’s engine as well, with many new components, such as a single turbo now to reduce complexity.

Inside, the Pajero steps clear of the Triton.

“Compared with the Triton, the front seating position has been developed exclusively … with the higher eye point that provides commanding view of the road, combined with redesigned steering wheel position and extensive field of vision,” Itagaki said.

“It delivers excellent forward visibility, making the vehicle easier [to] place and increasing driver confidence.

“Despite its large body size, the all-new Pajero achieves a minimum turning radius of just 5.8 metres (11.6 kerb to kerb), providing good manoeuvrability in everyday driving situation.”

The new eight-speed auto – two ratios more than the Triton’s six-speeder – is central to the reinvention.

“It’s wider gear ratio spread delivers both stronger launch performance and improved fuel efficiency, providing an ideal path of performance and backup,” Itagaki said.

No fuel consumption figures have been released yet, but given the Triton slurps diesel at rates between 7.4L and 7.7L/100km, it should be similar – perhaps even a little more miserly.

Those changes land when the Pajero reaches Aussie showrooms from December 2026, with a plusher cabin – Mitsubishi says even the storage boxes open and close with more fluidity – headlining its split from the Triton.

Whether it’s enough to justify a diesel wagon pitched squarely at the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest is the question the reborn icon must now answer.

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