Mitsubishi teases the new Pajero Sport

Full size SUVs have been immensely popular in India due to their butch looks, high ground clearance and commanding driving position. However, there have been only a few offerings in the market in the segment which came with a ladder-on-frame chassis and overall feel of being built to take the bad roads often. The most popular vehicle in the segment is the Toyota Fortuner which sells more than 1000 units every month.

However, there is the Pajero Sport too which lies in the same segment but doesn’t sell anywhere close to that number. This could change in the near future. Mitsubishi will soon be launching the next generation Pajero Sport globally and an India launch is expected by the end of 2016 or early 2017. The company has released a teaser video which shows a few exterior elements of the SUV and majority of the front end can be seen.

The off-roader sports a new grille which looks very different from the current crop of Mitsubishi vehicles and the headlamps house ‘L’ shaped DRLs. The tail lamps are vertical this time around with LEDs in tear-drop shape dripping till the rear bumper. To give you a hint of its off-road credentials and ruggedness, it is based on the L200 pickup truck which is the company’s latest offering in its respective segment.

It will continue with the same engines which is the 2.4-litre diesel unit producing either 154 PS and 380 Nm of torque or 181 PS and 430 Nm of torque. However in India, the new SUV might retain the current 2.5-litre engine producing 178 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque. Interiors are likely to get a major update as well and will come with much more equipment. With the competition also coming up with new generation of their respective products, Mitsubishi will have to ensure it adds as much value as possible to its upcoming offering.