Mitsubishi Pajero ends production with 800-unit Final Edition in Australia
Production of the Mitsubishi Pajero has ended with the last 800-units made at the manufacturing facility in Gifu Prefecture of Sakahogi in Japan headed for the Australian market. This comes after Mitsubishi announced last year that this facility would be eventually decommissioned to counter its cost-intensive operation and to bring costs in check for Mitsubishi. The firm has been heavily impacted by high costs even after becoming a part of the Renault-Nissan alliance. The Pajero had already been discontinued in its Japanese home market in 2019 and as of March 2021, exports have also ended.
The SUV will be available as the Mitsubishi Pajero Final Edition in Australia. The 800 units slated for this market will be fitted at the dealer level with numerous accessories to commemorate the end of production. These will include Final Edition badges, a contrasting bonnet guard, plastic boot lining, a load-lip protector, carpet floor mats and leather-bound service manuals.
The Australian-spec Pajero is powered by a 3.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel that puts out 192PS and 441 Nm. This pairs with a five-speed torque converter automatic and a full-time 4x4 system with low range and a locking centre differential. The Pajero has a 700mm wading depth along with a 36.6-degree approach, 22.5-degree breakover and 25-degree departure angles.
Amenities include 18-inch alloy wheels, auto headlamps and wipers, heated and powered front seats, Rockford sound system, sunroof, leather seats and a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto/Apple Carplay.
The Mitsubishi Pajero, an off-roading institution, has been in production since 1981 and has spanned four generations. It's been sold in over 70 countries and under various nameplates like Shogun, or as the case was with India, as the Montero. Its also seen some motorsport success, winning the Dakar Rally in only its third attempt in 1985 and going on to 12 total wins until 2007. Over time it evolved from a bare-bones workhorse to a more luxurious proposition but always kept its rugged body-on-frame character intact. The current-gen Pajero debuted in 2006 and was sold for a limited time in India alongside the second-generation model that continued with the Pajero nameplate.
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