Mitsubishi Pajero.

1997 Mitsubishi Pajero GLS 3.0 V6 SWB 4-speed automatic at the 1997 Motor Show.

A long-wheel base Pajero 3.0 (right).

The V6 petrol engine is the most popular power unit for the LWB Pajero. Above is the car's second incarnation. The first was the usual two square-box design. This is the two slightly-rounded-box design. The latest startling innovation is for fuller wheel arches and `mouldings'. The top of the range GLS LWB now offers a 3.5L 24v engine. This became the standard petrol engine across the range in the 1997 / 1998 model year.

The Pajero has independent front suspension which is good on the road, but has some disadvantages off it: Dip under braking reduces ground clearance at what might be a crucial moment. The wishbones and subframe provide a barrier right across the car at about the height of the bottom of the front differential. This can cause the car to get hung up on wheel ruts or in deep snow that would see a 4x4 with a live (beam) axle dragging the diff' but scraping on.

Early Pajeros had a reputation for breaking 5th gear, particularly if used for high speed towing. Survivors should have been fixed by now.

• Later Pajeros or Mitsubishi page
• Pajero SWB Roll-Over
• The competition: IGM Jackaroo, Jeep Cherokee, Land Rover Discovery, Toyota Prado

Mitsubishi Pajero SWB GLS 1996.

• SWB HT, 5 seats, 2 doors
• loa: 4145mm, width: 1785mm, height: 1815mm
• weight: 1765kg (unladen), GVM: 2370kg, towing: 750kg (unbraked)
• wheelbase: 2420mm, track: 1465mm/1480mm, grnd clearance: 215mm
• approach: 40, departure: 35, ramp break over: 153
• turning radius: 5.3m
• 2972cc petrol V6 mpi 2-valves/cyl ohc
• power: 109kW at 5000rpm, torque: 234Nm at 4000rpm
• transmission: 5m/4a, 2-speed transfer case, part-time 4WD / centre diff
• suspension: indep'-torsion-bar/live-coil, brakes: disc/disc
• tyres: 265/70R15, fuel-tank: 75L

Mitsubishi Pajero LWB GLS 1996.

• LWB station wagon, 7 seats, 4 doors
• loa: 4725mm, width: 1785mm, height: 1900mm
• weight: 2010kg (unladen), GVM: 2650kg, towing: 750kg (unbraked)
• wheelbase: 2725mm, track: 1465mm/1480mm, grnd clearance: 205mm
• approach: 40, departure: 27, ramp break over: 157
• turning radius: 5.9m
• 3497cc petrol V6 mpi 4-valves/cyl dohc
• power: 153kW at 5000rpm, torque: 300Nm at 3000rpm
• transmission: 5m/4a, 2 speed transfer case, part-time 4WD / centre diff'
• suspension: indep'-torsion-bar/live-coil, brakes: disc/disc
• tyres: 265/70R15, fuel-tank: 92L

• GLS: 2835cc turbo-charged intercooled diesel optional
• GLX: 3.5L V6, 3L V6 or 2.8L turbo intercooled diesel
• GL: 3L V6 or 2.8L diesel