Pajero’s Sporty sibling

Mitsubishi’s Pajero Sport 4×4 aims to plug the yawning gap in the company’s product line-up between the rugged Triton and the more premium-positioned Pajero.Stylistically, the Pajero Sport is a sort of halfway point between the muscular design of the Triton and the more sophisticated Pajero that fits in with the model’s town and country proviso. It presents a strong front end with multi-reflector halogen headlamps, as well as a vertically slanting grille with chrome accents.

The interior features seven leather-bound seats and a simple, but logically laid-out facia that again hints at this model’s position between urban runabout and genuine off-roader. The seven seats can be configured variably to accommodate most baggage, sport equipment and cargo requirements. In addition to air-conditioning, the Pajero Sport also features a six-speaker MP3-compatible sound system.

Power is provided by the company’s proven turbocharged 3,2-litre Common Rail intercooled turbo-charged DI-D diesel engine. Mated with a four-speed INVECS II automatic transmission, this unit develops 120 kW at 3 500 r/min and 343 N.m of torque at 2 000 r/min.

The Pajero Sport shares much of its underpinnings with the Triton, but features a front double wishbones and rear 3-link suspension set-up with coil springs and stabilizer bar. The brakes comprise a vacuum assisted booster and 16-inch ventilated discs at the front and L/T drum brakes at the back, as well as ABS and EBD. Mitsubishi’s rally-proven Super Select 4WD helps take care of the rough stuff.

Safety features include driver and passenger dual stage airbags and 3-point seatbelts with pretensioner and force limiter.

Included in the R414 000 price of the Pajero 3,2 DID GLS comes is a 3-year/100 000 km warranty, a 5-year/100 000 km service plan and Mitsubishi’s Diamond Promise roadside assistance offering repairs, towing and storage twenty-four hours a day and 365 days a year. Service intervals are every 10 000 km.