Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is a mid-size SUV produced by the Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors since 1996 that has spanned over three generations. Mitsubishi has formerly used the Mitsubishi Challenger name in Japan and some international markets, but since the third-generation model, the Pajero Sport/Montero Sport/Shogun Sport was the name used instead.
First generation (K80/K90/PA/PA II; 1996)
Production began in Japan in 1996, and was available for most export markets by 1997, where it was variously known as the Challenger, Pajero Sport in Europe, Montero Sport in North America, South America and the Philippines, Nativa in parts of Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East, Shogun Sport in the United Kingdom, and Strada G-Wagon in Thailand. Based on the Strada pickup truck of the same vintage, sharing many components and some body panels, the first-generation Challenger was also built on the second-generation Pajero wheelbase, and served as a smaller model to the larger Pajero.Like the Pajero, it featured independent front suspension with torsion bars and a live rear axle. In addition to numerous face lifts over the years, there was a major suspension change from rear leaf to coil springs in late 2000. As its popularity increased, local assembly for foreign markets was introduced in China in 2003, and Brazil in 2006. Sales were discontinued in Japan in 2003, in North America in 2004 where it was sold alongside the Endeavor, where it was superseded by the Endeavor, and central and western Europe in 2008. In Japan, it was sold at a specific retail chain called Car Plaza.
The 3-liter V6 is the most commonly used engine; it produces at 5,000 rpm. The North American market received petrol V6 engines during all years of production while a petrol 2.4 liter engine was offered on base models from 1997 through 1999. Markets outside of North America also had a variety of turbodiesel inline-fours to choose between.
Gallery
Second generation (KG/KH/PB; 2008)
The second-generation of the vehicle, based on the ladder frame chassis of the Triton, was gradually introduced to selected markets through the autumn of 2008, following its debut at the Moscow International Automobile Salon. The design is partially influenced from the 4.7-litre V8 powered 2001 Pajero Evolution concept car. 2.5- or 3.2-litre diesel and 3.0- or 3.5-litre V6 petrol engines are available as before, while five- or seven-seat interior configurations are offered. As with the Triton pickup on which it is based, production of the new Pajero Sport for all markets is concentrated in Thailand.In the Philippines and Mexico, the Pajero Sport is officially named as Montero Sport. The Montero Sport mainly competes with the Toyota Fortuner and Chevrolet Trailblazer in the Philippines and several other markets.
In India, the Pajero Sport was imported in CKD kits, to be assembled by Hindustan Motors-Mitsubishi joint venture. It is equipped with a 4D56-T 2.5-litre 8-valve intercooled with a variable geometry turbocharger SOHC diesel engine giving a maximum output of 175 bhp and 400Nm of torque. It weighs 2065 kg and gives out a mileage of 12kmpl.
In Bangladesh, the Challenger is assembled by state-owned automotive industry Pragoti and sold under the Pajero Sport name.
Sudden unintended acceleration issue
In 2011, Montero Sport owners in the Philippines reported that their vehicles suffered from sudden unintended acceleration. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines later responded with a statement saying that they conducted tests on the Montero Sport's electrical systems and found no problems; furthermore, they stated that the accidents related to the issue were more likely caused by human error. Owners of Montero Sport affected by the sudden unintended acceleration issue plan to file a class action lawsuit against Mitsubishi Motors Philippines. The Department of Trade and Industry opened an investigation panel to probe the accidents and complaints from 2010 to 2015, and will recommend either a product recall or a total sales ban on the Montero Sport in the country.Third generation (KR/KS/QE/QF; 2015)
On August 1, 2015, Mitsubishi Motors unveiled the third-generation Pajero Sport in Thailand and would be released as the 2016 model and would be powered by the new 4N15 2.4L MIVEC engine. Since the third-generation model was unveiled, it has no longer used the Challenger name, and used Pajero Sport/Montero Sport name instead.For the Indonesian market, the third-generation Pajero Sport was launched on January 29, 2016 in Jakarta. It was initially built in and imported from Thailand. Since April 2017, it is built and assembled at the Cikarang plant in Bekasi, West Java.
The Pajero Sport/Montero Sport has three engine options. The old 4D56 DI-D common rail produce 136 PS and 324 N⋅m and 4N15 MIVEC with Variable Geometry Turbo producing 181 PS and 430 NM and the 3.0L 6B31 MIVEC V6 petrol engine.
In the Philippines, it is known and marketed as the Montero Sport. As a mass market vehicle, it has added a lot of features compared to its predecessor. The Montero Sport is available in 4 variants: GLX 4x2, GLS 4x2, GT 4x2, and GT 4x4. All Variants are powered by a 2.4 MIVEC VGT clean diesel engine.
In Bangladesh, it is marketed as the Pajero Sport and assembled by Pragoti in Chittagong. It also manufactured the car.
In the Middle East, it is available with a 6B31 3.0 V6 petrol version.
In Australia, the Pajero Sport is available in either a five-seater for the base model GLX or GLS and a seven-seater version in the GLS & Exceed. The Pajero Sport only comes in automatic transmission, due to low sales of the manual transmission in the previous generation.
In the United Kingdom, the Pajero Sport was released as the Shogun Sport and it is also available as a commercial variant without second and third row seats.
Another feature of it is the Aisin 8-speed automatic which will improve fuel efficiency while not sacrificing in-gear acceleration and also available with 6-speed manual. Other features include a sunroof, dual zone auto air conditioning System, electric seats, leather contoured seats with multi-layer cushioning, all around monitor, all around sensors, 7 seating capacity, G-sensors, multi-info display, support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a touchscreen system with navigation, 6" two-piston front ventilated disc brakes and 6” solid disc brakes.
It is also has a lighter body compared to the predecessor because of the usage of CF plastics which are tough and lightweight and with the help of the 4N15 lightweight alloy block, the whole body has a low center of gravity.