Mitsubishi wants to bring back the Pajero and it'll be ready by 2027

KUALA LUMPUR: It looks like the Mitsubishi Pajero, the legendary four-wheeler, is plotting a grand return in 2027, and it's bringing some eco-friendly tech with it! Word on the street – well, actually from a scoop by Japan's Best Car magazine – is that Mitsubishi's gearing up to breathe new life into the Pajero, and this time it's going hybrid.

Now, details are still sketchy, but the whispers suggest a plug-in hybrid system under the hood. The Pajero waved goodbye in 2021 after a glorious four-decade run, clocking over 3.3 million in sales. While its spirit lingers in the smaller Pajero Sport, fans have been missing the full-size adventurer.

What's even more interesting is the chatter about whether this new Pajero will buddy up with the Nissan Patrol. With Mitsubishi cozying up with Nissan and Renault, it's all about cutting costs without cutting corners. The big bosses have said no to a Patrol with a Pajero badge slapped on it, but they're not against borrowing bits and pieces, especially since Mitsubishi knows a thing or two about plug-in hybrids.

No word yet if Nissan Patrol will go down the hybrid route or stick with its beefy twin-turbo V6, but Mitsubishi's definitely got the hybrid smarts to make it happen. Shaun Westcott, the head honcho at Mitsubishi Australia, hinted in a chat with Drive that they've got some serious plans for the Pajero name. He's pretty stoked about what's under the wraps, teasing that there are some hefty SUVs in the mix.

He kept it mysterious, though, not spilling the beans on the exact names these new rides will sport. But one thing's for sure, he reckons there's still a hearty appetite for big, rugged SUVs. So, whether it's a fresh take on the Pajero Sport or a full-blown Pajero revival, something big and bold is definitely brewing at Mitsubishi. And honestly, I we wait to see what they roll out!

The Pajero was a globally marketed full-size SUV, manufactured and sold by Mitsubishi over four generations from 1981 to 2021. It's known for its off-road capabilities and was popular in various markets worldwide, including Malaysia. The Pajero also has a notable history in motorsport, particularly in the Dakar Rally, where it achieved significant success. 

Mitsubishi's Pajero achieved a total of 12 overall wins in the "Cars Class" of the Dakar Rally, the most by any manufacturer, and secured 150 stage wins. The Pajero's performance in the Dakar Rally, especially in the T2 and T3 categories, significantly contributed to its reputation as a durable and capable off-road vehicle.

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