The third generation Pajero, which was developed in-house, had its debut in the Japanese domestic market in 1999. It then appeared in foreign regions as a 2001 model in late 2000, then in the Philippines and other developing countries in 2003.
Comparing the third generation to conventional body-on-frame (ladder frame) designs, the third generation was redesigned with a lower, wider stance and unibody (monocoque) structure with incorporated ladder frame chassis. This was made possible, in part, by Mitsubishi’s RISE reinforcement system, which produced a chassis and body combination that demonstrated impressive structural integrity in rollover accidents and was completely unaffected by severe chassis loading, as would typically be encountered during off-road recoveries. To optimize weight distribution and increase ground clearance, the gasoline tank was moved to the area between the front and back axles. This iteration included a third row seat that was detachable and stowable, as well as a fold-flat, reclining second row 60/40 split seat.
Additionally improved was the Super Select 4 (SS4) system, which now uses planetary gears in place of bevel gears. This meant that depending on the surface conditions, the front-to-rear torque setting could be adjusted from 33 to 67 with a maximum of 50/50. Additionally, the system was made entirely electrical so that changing between drive modes didn’t need shifting the car into gear. The system was called Super Select 4WD II after all the modifications (SS4-II).
The Pajero offered three gearbox options in addition to rack and pinion steering (as opposed to the recirculating ball system on earlier generations); a five-speed manual, a four-speed INVECS-II automatic, and a five-speed INVECS-II tiptronic.
On this model, a brand-new 3.8 liter SOHC 24-valve V6 engine was also released. This engine used an Electronic Throttle Valve (ETV) to provide smooth cruising performance with more power for off-road activities.
The third generation, which debuted on August 2, 1999, was supposed to be phased out by the fall of 2006.
In 2003, it underwent a slight facelift. In the Japanese market, the 3.5 L engine’s power was boosted to 162 kW (220 PS; 217 horsepower), while the 3.0 L engine’s power was increased to 130 kW (180 PS; 170 hp). Export models continued to use the standard EFI engine, now with 149 kW. (203 PS; 200 hp). Only emerging markets continued to use the 2.8 L Diesel engine, which was replaced by a new 16-valve direct injection engine with 3.2 L and 120 kW. (160 PS; 160 hp). Diesel versions saw the intercooler relocated from its prior top-mounted position to a front-mounted position for efficiency.
In the North American market, a 3.8 L engine with 160 kW replaced the 3.5 L engine in 2003. (220 PS; 210 hp). Later on, this engine was made available for export to regions like South America, Australia, and New Zealand, and in 2005, it took the place of the GDI V6 in the Japanese lineup. The Montero was the only SUV in Mitsubishi’s lineup in North America with basic four-wheel drive as opposed to all-wheel drive, hence the short wheelbase type is not offered there. After the 2006 model year, sales of the Montero in the US market were halted.
In 2004 the Chinese market received the first Pajero of this type, and production continued until 2011. The available engines were the 3- and 3.8-liter V6s, mated to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearbox for the smaller units, and only a 5-speed automatic for the bigger one. GL, GLS, and GLX were the trim levels.
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Why is Montero no longer being produced?
Cannibalization from its truck-based Montero Sport is to blame for Endeavor’s sluggish out-of-the-gate start, according to the struggling Japanese automaker. In the same size market and at comparable price points, the SUV and CUV compete. According to a spokeswoman for Mitsubishi, they add up to higher utility vehicle sales in the market. But none has lived up to expectations on their own.
Mitsubishi has now acknowledged the Montero Sport’s demise twice. The Endeavor, a CUV created especially for the American market and built at the automaker’s Normal, Illinois, manufacturing site, was born at the same time as its first obituary.
The Montero Sport was expected to be immediately replaced by the Endeavor. However, Mitsubishi was having a great time in the American market before it launched. Sales were surging to previously unheard-of heights, and all of its productsincluding the venerable, Japan-built Montero Sportwere wildly popular.
Therefore, despite publicly killing off the vehicle, Mitsubishi ultimately decided to keep it in production and built a fleet of CUVs and SUVs that became essential to the brand’s character.
Mitsubishi’s initial sales projection for the Endeavor was 80,000 units yearly. But from the time it began selling to the end of the year in December 2003, it only sold 32,054 units. Sales for Montero Sport for the entire year came to 20,306. The data showed that the automaker had a terrible year, with sales falling 25.6 percent to 257,452 units.
Mitsubishi gets no encouragement from the first month of 2004 as it strives to revamp its brand image. Sales of 15,875 units show a decline of 14.2% from December and 35.8% from totals of 23,769 units in the prior year. Only 1,190 Montero Sports were sold in January, while Endeavor sales fell to 2,436 units.
Mitsubishi still produces the Montero Sport?
The Endeavor, a largely forgotten SUV with more space but little personality, eventually took the place of Mitsubishi’s Montero Sport. Despite being difficult to locate now, Montero Sport SUVs can make excellent, affordable off-road vehicles for those who look for them.
Is a new Mitsubishi Pajero being produced?
For 2022, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport lineup gains new models at both ends of the pricing spectrum, including the 4×2 variants with the lowest prices and the GSR. With new 42 versions and a sporty-looking GSR flagship, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport family will grow for 2022.
What is taking over for the Pajero?
Aside from that, the Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Isuzu MU-X continue to top the large SUV market, which is up 39.9% this year.
However, the Pajero may find new life in the upper-large SUV class, where there are currently just the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol.
In actuality, the Patrol would be essential to the revival of the Pajero. Sharing the next-generation Patrol platform with the Pajero would make good commercial sense for both firms given the growing closeness of the relationship between Nissan and Mitsubishi as part of their alliance.
In truth, this has been debated both internally and publicly since 2017, but no actual plans have yet to materialize. Making this happen can be difficult due to these heavy-duty off-roaders’ typical extensive life cycles.
The final Pajero of the fourth generation has a relatively lengthy lifespan for a car, lasting for 15 years after its 2006 premiere with only modest facelifts. The current Patrol was introduced in 2010, therefore a replacement is shortly overdue, but no plans have been made public.
Are Montero Sport and Pajero Sport the same thing?
Following its premiere at the Moscow International Automobile Salon, the vehicle’s second version, which is based on the Triton’s ladder frame chassis, was gradually launched to a few regions (Russia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East) throughout the autumn of 2008. The 2001 Pajero Evolution concept car, which had a 4.7-liter V8 engine, had some design influence. As before, 3.0 or 3.5-liter V6 petrol and 2.5- or 3.2-liter diesel engines are choices, while interior options with five or seven seats are available. Production of the new Pajero Sport, which is based on the Triton pickup, is centralized in Thailand for all markets.
The Pajero Sport is known as the Montero Sport in the Philippines and Mexico. In the Philippines and several other regions, the Toyota Fortuner and Chevrolet Trailblazer are the major rivals of the Montero Sport.
The Pajero Sport was brought into India as CKD kits and put together by a joint venture between Hindustan Motors and Mitsubishi. It is powered by a 2.5-liter turbo-diesel engine, model 4D56-T. It was stopped using in 2019.
State-owned automaker Pragoti assembles the Pajero Sport in Bangladesh.
Is a new Mitsubishi car available?
Up to the fall, Mitsubishi will continue to sell new vehicles before switching to an aftersales-only model, according to the company. By the end of the year, new models like the plug-in hybrid Outlander and the L200 pickup will no longer be offered.
Mitsubishi stopped producing the Montero in what year?
The Montero received a new 3.8-liter V-6 engine with 215 horsepower for 2003, and the five-speed automated transmission was made standard across the whole Montero lineup. Safety has been considerably enhanced by a new electronic stability control system. However, Montero sales were in decline, as were those of all Mitsubishi vehicles, and when Mitsubishi unveiled a new version in 2006, it was excluded from the American market. Sales of the Montero in America ceased in 2006, but it is still manufactured in other markets around the world under the name Pajero.