Best Motorbuys: September 09, 2016

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Price: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport,
$63,990
Dimensions: Length, 4785mm;
width, 181mm; height, 1805mm
Configuration: Four-cylinder,
four-wheel-drive, 2422cc, 135kW,
437Nm, eight-speed automatic.
Performance: 0-100km/h, 11sec
Fuel usage: 8l/100km
By Ross Kiddie
When Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand recently
launched its Pajero Sport I was a little surprised
that it was a five-seater vehicle only.
Well that has all changed, the Challenger
replacement now has seven seats and it sits
competitively in the market place amidst a
host of other ute-based, four-wheel-drive,
sport utility vehicles
Mitsubishi almost pioneered that part of
the market in 1996 with its Triton-based
Challenger, and there has been a succession of
Challenger models since.
Today’s Pajero Sport shares a lot of
componentry with Triton but it is distanced
from it in the respect that it is a lot more
sophisticated, it is more car-like than ute-like
even though it is still built around a ladder
chassis, live rear axle and suspension elements
which are engineered for the serious off-road
journey.
The Pajero Sport is also styled so that it
loses any association with the Triton, it looks
appealing and most definitely built to the SUV
style.
It arrives with diesel power only, courtesy of
the Triton, it is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit and
is rated by Mitsubishi with 135kW and 437Nm.
It is a true powerhouse and drives through the
sophistication of an eight-speed automatic
gearbox. The engine/gearbox combination is
rather special, especially so with the number
of ratios, there is almost seamless gearing
offering the best structures for both off-road
challenges, and easy momentum for the
everyday commute.
Of course, the Pajero Sport also gets a
seriously low ratio transfer system for when
those four-wheel-drive tracks beckon. You
can guarantee the mechanical elements have
been engineered to stand the test of time,
after all Mitsubishi offer a 10-year driveline
warranty.
The Pajero Sport lands here in two variants,
effectively low grade or high-grade – XLS
or VRX. The test car was a VRX and it lists at
$63,990, the XLS landing at $58,990.
For that price it gets a strong specification
list for comfort and convenience, a few of the
major items include full leather trim, heated
front seats which are electrically adjustable
and state-of-the-art electronic systems for
infotainment, most are operable through a
central screen display.
The Pajero Sport gets all of the high-tech
gear Mitsubishi are putting into their fourwheel-drive
vehicles these days. There are a
myriad of electronic and mechanical elements
to aid grip both off-road and in close confine
sealed road driving. There is also a suite of
safety features which keep the vehicle out of
trouble in the first instance – Smartbrake, misacceleration
mitigation system, and forward
collision mitigation.
Against the clock it will accelerate to 100km/h
from a standstill in 11sec, and is comfortable
with a 7.5sec highway overtake (80km/h to
120km/h).
In terms of fuel usage, Mitsubishi has done
well to lean out the twin-camshaft, 16-valve
engine. It is now rated with an eight-litre per
100km (35mpg) combined cycle average,
that fits well with the test car’s average
showing 9.6l/100km (30mpg) on return to
the dealership. Those figures, along with
an 8l/100km instantaneous readout at
100km/h (engine speed 1600rpm), makes for
economical motoring for a big vehicle which
weighs in close to two-tonne. On the subject
of weights, the Pajero Sport is also listed with
a 3100kg tow rating.
At highway speed the Pajero Sport cruises
comfortably with little sound intrusion, there
is just a subdued diesel throb under load, but
that is no louder than any of its competition.
The Pajero Sport is big and tall, but it is well
balanced and is capable in a corner; that along
with its energetic performance provides
satisfaction for the driver.
The Pajero Sport, encapsulates all of the
ingredients which made the Challenger so
successful here and it can certainly be counted
as a serious contender in what is now a very
intense part of the SUV market.
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