The Rebirth of the Pajero

Mitsubishi’s Pajero embodies the hopes and aspirations of the Filipino people. Let me explain. During its introduction in the eighties until its height of popularity in the early nineties, the Pajero 4X4 was every man’s dream vehicle. It had the versatility of the Jeep, the passenger capacity to take the entire family for a spin, the clearance to traverse our less-than-perfect roads and the diesel engine and the drive train to economically take it wherever the occupants dare to venture. It was so popular then that it spawned cheap imitations such as the Atendido Parejo and had the manufacturers scrambling to mass produce less expensive counterparts, which eventually borne the Tamaraw FX and the AUV craze of the new millennium.

The Pajero also paved the way for its competitors and gave birth to the SUV binge that saw a couple of thousands of Nissan Patrols, Safaris, Terranos, Ssanyong Mussos, Toyota Land Cruisers, Prados and Isuzu Troopers populate the Philippine landscape. Ford eventually wrestled the status symbol crown with its large and thirsty Expedition and motivated GM and Dodge to import their large and thirsty SUVs. The Pajero was unceremoniously relegated to second stringer status because it looked dated, was slow and was the least comfortable compared to the new SUVs. The only thing it had was its name and the loyalty of its die-hard fans.

Well, what a difference a new model year makes! Pajero fans will have reason to rejoice with the all-new 2004 Pajero GLS. The new body is creased with masculinity yet oozes with sex appeal that will have fans frothing in the mouth. The front end, executed with the new Mitsubishi split-grill family trademark, is modern yet immediately identifiable as a Pajero. The front and rear overhangs are shorter for better higher angles of approach and departure when attacking inclines. The cockpit is ergonomic, functional and very business-like and the leather seats are supportive and comfortable. Interior space is greatly improved with the stretched wheelbase, adding a vestigial two-place third row which folds neatly and disappears into the rear cargo floor.

As if the new body isn’t exciting enough, the new Pajero allows buyers to choose between diesel and gasoline engines. We tested the gasoline model with a 3.8-liter SOHC V-6 equipped with a multi-point electronic fuel injection (MPI) and were immediately impressed with its power delivery and overall performance. The V-6 engine’s 60-degree v-angle and compact block created a tidy package that allowed Mitsubishi engineers to place most of the engine’s mass behind the front wheel centerline, greatly improving the Pajero’s center of gravity (c.g.) and weight distribution. This translates to a more balanced vehicle dynamics with a steering response leaning toward neutral, compared to the heavy understeer tendencies of the previous model. This makes the new Pajero a delight to drive in the twisties with its grip accentuated by the large footprint of its 265/70-16 tires.

The smooth V-6 delivers 230HP at 5000rpm and 314Nm of torque at 3250rpm to a new 5-speed automatic with a low 3.789 first gear (for a hard-charging 35-degree maximum climbing ability) and a 0.731 overdrive fifth gear (for improved fuel consumption on the highways). With the shift-on-the-fly 4WD engagement, no impossibly-inclined basement parking ramp is an obstacle for this SUV. And with a curb weight of 2094kgs, the engine has the reserve power to muscle the Pajero to a claimed 180kph top speed. During an out-of-town assignment, we drove it to an indicated 140-kph in a late night run without breaking a sweat, taking only 30-odd minutes to get to San Fernando, Pampanga from Subic Bay, Olongapo.

Unfortunately, the new excise tax and the depreciating peso took the price of the 2004 Pajero to stratospheric heights, keeping it out of reach of the common Pinoy, this writer included. Only the wealthier individuals in our society will find out and enjoy the exciting capabilities of this new Mitsubishi SUV, but it will undoubtedly increase its loyal followers with its new prowess and improved image. Count me in as a new fan. — Lester Dizon

Few will deny that this long-awaited SUV exudes social status and style. The large glass areas, the bulging flanks, the space-age look...people just love it. The Pajero has that king-of-the-road aura that actually inspires lane discipline among bus drivers and dissuades those abominable, "wang-wang" drivers from pushing you out of your rightful spot on the road...perhaps because you look more important than those oafs. For while it may not be as massive as a Ford Expedition or Chevrolet Suburban, the Pajero has a cutting-edge look that’s visually assertive without being difficult to maneuver on a typical city street. In the looks department alone, it appears it was worth the long wait for this latest generation of the SUV icon, which had already been available in other markets for some years already.

As a driver’s SUV, it’s quite responsive; quick reacting but not twitchy, cushy but not cumbersome. Apart from some discernible rumbling from the off-road tires that you can feel through the leather-wrapped seat and wood steering wheel, it is actually possible to fling the Pajero into a set of fast curves without tumbling into a disaster. There’s noticeable body roll, of course, but an otherwise communicative suspension and traction control allow you to push this SUV to its limits. Ferrari-owning guys who need armed escorts every time they take the car out for a spin should put their bodyguards in Pajeros. They’ll have a better chance of keeping up than in other SUVs.

And while the Pajero may have the frontal area of an elephant — not a far analogy, actually, since the view from the driver’s seat over the bulging fenders is a bit pachyderm-ish — it charges forward like a bull elephant enraged. As well it should, because the 3.8-liter, SOHC gasoline V6 has 215PS and 34.4 kg-m of torque on tap, accompanied by a sweet-enough melody of 24-valves singing their way to the redline. Imagine being able to outrun a typical sedan, as the Pajero has more than enough power to pull itself around with ease. Would that it had the fuel economy of a typical sedan, because with our experience of just 4.65 kilometers to a liter of unleaded in this SUV, you’d better have the budget for that kind of appetite. Or you can opt for the diesel. In any case, the Pajero is an enjoyable SUV to drive.

Power and handling aside, this Mitsubishi manages to wed a rugged appeal with modern-day concerns like tactile feel and build quality. Switches, dials, and buttons operate smoothly and don’t all look like they came from a generic parts bin to save on costs. The leather is top-notch plush, and little things like those "titanium" accents on the shifter gate and window controls have a smooth, satiny feel. Other expensive-feeling details include a soft-press lever for the four-wheel drive and illuminated side steps with a pleasant glow. Once you get the hang of the multi-info LCD display, it’s a pleasant sight that doesn’t distract from the driving...and of course it one-ups a lot of other SUVs out there. The wood trim is, as always, a point of contention. Some like it, others don’t.

But backseat-riding is a treat. The foldable, split-bench can be moved forward or backward, the seatback can be reclined, you don’t have that irritating "knees-up" position, and it’s wide enough for four small people to fit. The third bench is a penalty box area, though; you put the noisy kids and least-favored friends there. When it’s not in use, you can employ my favorite thing about the seating arrangement: fold it and swivel it down into an underfloor compartment, saving you the hassle of having to heft it out and into the garage just to maximize the cargo space. Everyone already knows the Pajero is an accomplished off-roader, and this one’s got the latest hardware like electronic four-wheel drive and traction control. This latest generation shows how it’s possible to retain traditional SUV values while indulging in new world considerations like comfort, luxury, and user-friendliness. If you’ve got a sizable chunk of cash (P2.350 million, to be exact) needed to park one in your garage, I envy you. — Andy Leuterio