Pajero Platinum

Mitsubishi plans to introduce a limited-run Platinum edition of its Pajero offroader in October.

Based on the entry-level Pajero GLX, the Platinum edition adds safety, functional and styling upgrades at a price aimed at bringing customers to the doors of its 200-odd Australian dealer outlets.

The Platinum Pajero adds standard satellite navigation (as part of Mitsubishi's MMCS Multi Communication System that includes Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity), a reversing camera, front "fog" lights, plus a number of titillations including side steps integrated with the front mudguards, a rear spoiler and body coloured side mirrors.

This is on top of standard GLX equipment including stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes and dual front airbags. 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, climate-control air-conditioning and third-row seats are all standard GLX features.

The Platinum edition Pajero will be offered in 182kW/329Nm 3.8-litre V6 petrol form, or with Mitsubishi's 147kW/441Nm 3.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, both in five-speed manual or five-speed INVECS II sequential automatic form.

Mitsubishi will be limiting the run of Platinum Pajeros to less than 550.

Against a background of declining mid-size and large 4WD popularity, the Pajero is currently Mitsubishi's smallest-selling 4WD behind Outlander and Triton. Year to date sales at the end of August were 3129, which is 22.4 per cent down on 2008.

The compact Outlander is currently running at 4728 sales so far this year, or 18.3 per cent down on 2008, while the Triton 4x4 workhorse is actually the company's biggest seller after the Lancer model and is ahead of 2008 by 7.3 per cent with sales at the end of August totalling 7027 vehicles.

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