Mitsubishi Pajero 4WD.

2000 model-year Pajero has monocoque construction and independent suspension at each corner.

1999: Some cosmetic changes, a new grille, a few extras, a price drop and new names for the Pajero to stretch out its life. An all new Pajero can't be too far away, but in the meantime, the GLS (Escape) has a CD player, air-conditioning, and alloy wheels from $40,990. The GLS (Exceed) tops that with a 6-disc CD player, and new trim inside and out. The basic GL now has rear coil suspension, rear disc brakes and Super Select 4WD (selectable 2WD / full-time 4WD) as on the GLX and GLS.

1998: Mitsubishi was forced to upgrade its Pajero 4WD range to keep up with the stiff competition from Toyota Prado, not to mention IGM Jackaroo, Jeep Cherokee, Land Rover Discovery and Ssangyong Musso. Having practically invented the able but comfortable "family" four wheel drive, Mitsubishi have really been hurt by the success of the Toyota Prado in particular and initially ran a series of ad's implying that imitation was the sincerest form of flattery (but impossible to do perfectly, of course). Now Mitsubishi has fired back in the best way - by raising the spec's across the Pajero range. Engines are now the 3.5L 24-valve petrol V6, replacing the lower-spec' 3L V6, or the 2.8L turbo charged and inter-cooled diesel. In addition, the top GLS Pajero gets 16" alloy wheels and new steroid-look wheel-arch bulges to cover them.

The short wheel base Pajero only comes in GLS form, with the lot, and only very marginally cheaper than the long wheel base GLS. This is the car that most resembles the 4WD racer that finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 1997 Dakar Rally, again.

- 4wd.sofcom.com/4WD.html

Mitsubishi Pajero GLS LWB 1997 - 1999 (and 2000)

• station wagon, 5 seats (+2 GLS/GLX), 4 doors, dual air-bags and ABS brakes (optional)
• loa: 4725mm, width: 1775mm, height: 1910mm
• wheelbase: 2725mm, track: 1465mm/1480mm, grnd clearance: 205mm
• approach: 40, departure: 27, ramp break over: 157
• turning radius: 5.9m
• weight: 2000kg (unladen), GVM: 2650kg, towing: 750kg (unbraked)
• 3.5L V6:
  • 3497cc, petrol, V6, efi, 4-valves/cyl, sohc
  • bore: 93.0mm, stroke: 85.8mm, c.r.: 9.5:1
  • power: 140kW at 5000rpm, torque: 303Nm at 3500rpm
• 2.8L turbo intercooled diesel:
  • 4-cyl, 2-valve/cyl
  • bore: 95.0mm, stroke: 100.0mm, c.r.: 21.0:1
  • power: 92kW at 4000rpm, torque: 292Nm at 2000rpm
• transmission: 5m/4a, transfer case (hi 1.0:1, lo 1.9:1), rear limited slip differential (std)
• suspension: indep-torsion-bar/live-coil, brakes: disc/disc
• tyres: 265/70 R16 on 7.0JJx16 alloy wheels, fuel-tank: 92L
• prices 1998: $47,770+orc (petrol, manual, $au 1998), also...
  • LWB: GL, GLX: P235/75 R15 tyres, 15" wheels; GL price $37,520+orc (petrol, manual)
  • SWB: GLS 3.5L V6, $46.5K
• prices 1999: GLX (Escape) $40,990 + orc
• The competition: GM Jackaroo, Daewoo Musso, Toyota Prado

Go to the new Pajero and launch,   pre 1997, Pajero mk1 and Mitsubishi (main) pages