Mitsubishi Pajero Sport launched

This is the new Pajero Sport

Shahzad Sheikh
06 February 2009

Mitsubishi has launched the new Pajero Sport in the Middle East, and UAE exclusive dealers Al Habtoor Motors introduced the car to select media at a purpose-built off-road course in Dubai last week.

That doesn’t look like a Pajero.

You’re not paying attention are you? We said Pajero Sport. It sits between the Outlander and the actual Pajero with prices starting around $25,000. It’s as long as a Pajero but not as wide. Think Toyota Fortuner.

I still don’t get what it is though. Is it a completely new model?

Not really. There’s been a Pajero Sport before and it’s known as the Challenger in some markets. But it’s new to us in the Middle East. In fact it was revealed at the Moscow car show last year and will be sold in Russia, Australia, South East Asia, South America, Latin America and of course, here in the Middle East.

Okay I get it. So what’s under the bonnet?

A 3.5-litre V6 producing 184bhp mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. It comes with ‘Super Select 4WD’ and hybrid type Limited-Slip Differential (LSD) all mounted on a rigid ladder frame.

So it’s meant to be good off-road then?

Yeah it’s being pitched as a ‘rugged, no-nonsense’ SUV, that’s ideal for off-roading enthusiasts.

Good off-road then?

It certainly appears to be. We only had a short time behind the wheel, and that was on the off-road demo course at the Jebel Ali Shooting Club. The trouble with these courses are that they are designed for cars and don’t really represent the unpredictability of the real world. So it’s hard to tell how good a car really is. Having said that, the Pajero Sport did drive the course with ease, on full pressure tyres, and made it all look very easy.

Fair enough. How’s it on-road then?

No idea. Like I said, this wasn’t really a full road-test, just a brief demonstration drive. We’ll try to get our hands on another example in the near future to bring you our full on-road verdict. It looks good though and is well-equipped. If it comes with one of Al Habtoor Motor’s usual great incentive packages, then it will also be good value and it is likely to sell well, in the UAE at the very least.

Like the look of the Pajero Sport? Let us know what you think below…

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Talal Mansoor says

Pajero sport with big engine
This vehicle does have a big engine but very low power. One would just go for a ford explorer instead of this. Reply

30 March 2010

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