New-gen Mitsubishi Pajero expected for 2020

MANILA: The Mitsubishi Pajero is undoubtedly one of the most popular SUVs in the world and has been so for quite some now. In the company’s own lineup as well, this rugged SUV is a shining name. However, since 2006 we haven’t had a new Pajero and the company itself claims that there wouldn’t be one coming anytime soon.

Having said that, there has been news going around in Mitsubishi's home country that the Pajero will be getting a new generation for 2020. And though there is no confirmed news about it, there are chances of it being co-developed with Nissan. If that is true, we might also see a new Nissan Patrol SUV, a worthy counterpart of the Pajero.

It is still early for anyone to come to conclusion as to what the designing of the new Pajero would be like, we can assume that it could borrow a lot of elements from the Montero Sport and don the ‘Dynamic Shield’ design language. The designing may also be inspired from GC-PHEV concept (a plug-in hybrid of the Grand Cruiser) that was displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2013. It may also be bigger in size, putting it right in the full-size SUV segment.

On the mechanical side, we may have the plug-in hybrid model as well and the powertrain might be taken from the e-Evolution Concept. An all-wheel-drive mechanism for the hybrid might be on the cards if at all this car comes into existence.

Apart from just the plug-in electric model, Mitsubishi might not stop making the diesel-powered Pajero, albeit with a bigger capacity engine. The 2.4-litre engine from the Montero Sport could be tweaked in further for an enhanced performance.

As of now, it is just a waiting game for us before we know whether all of this anticipation would see the reality or not.