New Pajero is just so macho

RoadTest: Mitsubishi Pajero Fresh from success in the Paris-Dakar Rally, Mitsubishi has returned the new Pajero back to its macho roots

It's been on our roads for 12 years, played a leading role in the creation of the 4x4 set back when it was a simple multiplication equation, and offered the commoners the chance of owning a dual-purpose vehicle that could tow a trailer during the week and take you to a wedding at the weekend without looking out of place on either occasion.

While it has seen the off-road segment blossom into one of the most lucrative in the car market, and it has admittedly slipped to mid-range rather than premium off-road segment, it nonetheless deserves credit for what it is, a macho-looking 4x4 capable of being work-horse during the day and polite transport in the evening.

Over the decade or so of its existence, the Pajero has undergone a number of revamps to keep up with the times, often aimed at moving with the growing popularity among urbanites. In attempting to compete with the newcomers, it has at some stages lost its way.

Thankfully, the latest version returns in some ways to its more rugged roots. While the swooping side lines of the wheel arches reflect the influence of the design studios and ambitions to compete with more fashion-driven competitors, its sheer physical presence along with the large dominant grille leave no question as to its target sector. This is not the terrain of the soft-roaders.

The move back to its macho roots is hardly a stroke of genius, given the marque's success in the Dakar rally under the Pajero model name. When you can compete and win such an arduous challenge, there's no point in offering a road-going version that's frightened to get down and dirty.

The new macho front reflects a move towards consistency across the Mitsubishi range, the result of an overhaul at the firm which has seen dramatic changes at boardroom level, the arrival of a host of new faces and the influence of DaimlerChrysler, now a 34 per cent shareholder in the motor company.

One of the leading forces of that change is designer Olivier Boulay. Formerly of DaimlerChrysler, his last project for them was on the Maybach, but don't hold your breath for a €500,000 Mitsubishi.

On arrival at the Japanese marque, he took responsibility for the Pajero Evo, which won the Dakar Rally, and has taken it upon himself to bring a common look to the entire Mitsubishi range. While his work of late has concentrated on creating entirely new models, his influence can be seen in the upgrades of the current range and is most evident here in the grille, with its solid silver badge.

Overall, the design of the latest Pajero manages to traverse both paths, offering enough style to compete with the fashion icons in the 4x4 segment, but the sheer pulling power of the workhorse sector.

And it doesn't take long to realise that the Pajero is more than a high street cruiser. Certainly starting the new 3.2-litre Direct Injection Diesel engine left us in no doubt that this was no tame soft-roader. The entire vehicle shudders with the force of the engine and the loud engine noise shouts that it's ready to take to the hills. For those more accustomed to the silent purr of modern diesel saloons it may seem rough around the edges and would certainly scare off ardent petrol lovers, probably re-affirming their doubts about the developments made by diesels in recent years.

Compared to the new smooth-running common-rail diesels on the market at present, this would come across as distinctly old-school. Yet there is an element of fun in driving something so rugged.

The new engine offers strong performance for off-road. Back on the tarmac, while it has a top speed of over 100 mph, it is not lightning quick to pick up and is in full diesel song when pushed.

But it's in the area of pulling power that it's strongest, with 373 Newton metres (Nm) of torque available at 2,000 rpm. That's on a par with the likes of the powerful Toyota Landcruiser.

It's matched with an adaptive transmission, offering two-wheel-drive high, four-wheel-drive high and four-wheel-drive low modes along with a locking rear differential, and the Pajero copes ably off-road plus a locking rear differential. Off-road and the Pajero is more than capable of taking on those real hills that cause soft-roaders to turn tail and run to the motorway.

Handling is light and capable, if a little unnerving on the winding faster corners. There is a noticeable lean with the shorter three-door version more, we suspect, than there would be in the larger five-door. This may be off-putting to newcomers to the sector and is not up to the standards of some of its competitors. Overall handling is lighter than one would expect for such a large vehicle and the steering precise.

Mitsubishi has opted for a monocoque bodyshell in the latest Pajero and this offers not only more stylish lines but, more importantly, improved handling. It also contributes to safety, with a more rigid passenger cell. Overall, safety specification has been improved, with front and side airbags as standard, along with ABS.

Inside and the interior is well laid out and all controls are at hand. In terms of space, the three door is quite tight in the rear considering it might be used for more than simply the weekly shopping run, though with the full load area open it can capably cope with more working requirements.

Once installed in the back, the rear seats are comfortable for longer journeys, though back seat passengers do get thrown about a bit on windy back roads if the driver tends towards the upper end of the speed limit. For all its heritage and success in the Dakar Rally, it is facing some strong competition from both the traditional competitors, such as Toyota, and relative newcomers like Hyundai.

Undoubtedly, it has a loyal following and the strength of the brand will carry it forwards. With over 1.8 million sold in over 158 countries, its has carved for itself an envious position in the market.

Yet thanks to our exorbitant Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) prices for non-commercial Pajeros, with prices beginning at €45,893 for the 2.5-litre short-wheel base, success on the Dakar Rally may not be enough to ease the pressure on the sales reps tasked with selling Pajeros to an increasingly sophisticated and demanding public.