autoevolution
 

Body style: SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
Segment: Small SUV
Production years: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

MITSUBISHI Pajero 3 Doors 1982-1991 2 Photos
MITSUBISHI Pajero 3 Doors (1982-1991)MITSUBISHI Pajero 3 Doors (1982-1991)

That was the beginning of a successful vehicle that raised the Mitsubishi's flag twelve times in the most challenging race from those times, the Paris-Dakar Rally Raid.

Its rugged, simple appearance had a charming look, and it sold like hot cookies in the middle of the winter. The Japanese carmaker didn't see that success coming, and it was overwhelmed by orders from all the markets where it introduced the car, with different names such as Pajero/Montero or Shogun.

It might have a minimalist design on the market. That simple design came with low production costs. Despite its short length, it offered five seats inside. The three-door version featured a side-hinged rear tailgate. The wrapped-around metallic bumper protected the small, squared, and corner-mounted taillights.

Inside, the minimalist design continued on the dashboard with a flat panel and a grab-handle on the passenger side. The instrument panel offered two dials and two gauges, each in an individual cluster. Even though the center stack was a new interior item for cars, the Pajero/Montero featured one for the ventilation unit and the stereo. The carmaker offered a clinometer and two additional gauges for oil pressure and ammeter on a separate cluster over the center stack as an option. The car provided good interior room for the front passengers but limited for the rear ones. Despite its almost flat floor in the rear, the car's width was too small to provide enough shoulder and hip-room. As for the trunk, it was big enough for a briefcase.

The body-on-frame construction made the Pajero a trustworthy partner in harsh off-road situations. Under the hood, Mitsubishi installed diesel and gasoline engines depending on the market. All of them sent the power to a 4WD system with a low-range transfer box. At the front, the car featured independent suspension, while in the back, Mitsubishi installed a live axle.

MITSUBISHI Pajero 3 Doors 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
  1 gasoline engine
  • 3.0L V6 5MT AWD (141 HP)
  2 diesel engines
  • 2.5L TD 5MT AWD (84 HP)
  • 2.5L TD 5MT AWD (95 HP)

MITSUBISHI Pajero 3 Doors
3.0L V6 5MT AWD (141 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 3.0L V6 5MT AWD (141 HP)
Cylinders:V6
Displacement:2972 cm3
Power:104 KW @ 5000 RPM
141 HP @ 5000 RPM
139 BHP @ 5000 RPM
Torque:166 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM
225 Nm @ 3000 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:15.9 gallons (60.2 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:99 mph (159 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):12.3 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:All Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:215SR15
DIMENSIONS
Length:157.5 in (4001 mm)
Width:66.1 in (1679 mm)
Height:72.8 in (1849 mm)
Front/rear Track:55.1/55.9 in (1,400/1,420 mm)
Wheelbase:92.5 in (2350 mm)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3637.6 lbs (1650 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:4850.2 lbs (2200 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:14.6 mpg US (16.1 L/100Km)
Highway:23.5 mpg US (10 L/100Km)
Combined:17.3 mpg US (13.6 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:323 g/km

MITSUBISHI Pajero 3 Doors
2.5L TD 5MT AWD (84 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 2.5L TD 5MT AWD (84 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:2477 cm3
Power:62 KW @ 4200 RPM
84 HP @ 4200 RPM
83 BHP @ 4200 RPM
Torque:148 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM
201 Nm @ 2000 RPM
Fuel System:Indirect Injection
Fuel:Diesel
Fuel capacity:15.9 gallons (60.2 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:83.9 mph (135 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):23 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:All Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:215SR15
DIMENSIONS
Length:157.5 in (4001 mm)
Width:66.1 in (1679 mm)
Height:72.8 in (1849 mm)
Front/rear Track:55.1/55.9 in (1,400/1,420 mm)
Wheelbase:92.5 in (2350 mm)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3373.1 lbs (1530 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:4662.8 lbs (2115 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:21.8 mpg US (10.8 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:286 g/km

MITSUBISHI Pajero 3 Doors
2.5L TD 5MT AWD (95 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 2.5L TD 5MT AWD (95 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:2477 cm3
Torque:173 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM
235 Nm @ 2000 RPM
Fuel System:Indirect Injection
Fuel:Diesel
Fuel capacity:15.9 gallons (60.2 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:87 mph (140 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):19.3 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:All Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:215SR15
DIMENSIONS
Length:157.5 in (4001 mm)
Width:66.1 in (1679 mm)
Height:72.8 in (1849 mm)
Front/rear Track:55.1/55.9 in (1,400/1,420 mm)
Wheelbase:92.5 in (2350 mm)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3373.1 lbs (1530 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:4850.2 lbs (2200 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:21.6 mpg US (10.9 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions:288 g/km
  report a mistake on this page