Mitsubishi Pajero 2026
After years of rumors and endless anticipation, Mitsubishi Motors has finally given fans of “The Legend” something to celebrate. Speaking at this month’s Tokyo Auto Salon, company president Takao Kato confirmed that a “new, genuine off-road SUV” is set to arrive in 2026.
Mitsubishi Motors has not confirmed the name of the new SUV yet. However, many car media reports believe the famous Mitsubishi Pajero is coming back. It is expected to compete with the Toyota Land Cruiser 250.
Early rumors claimed the upcoming Mitsubishi Pajero might ride on Nissan underpinnings, possibly even sharing its bones with the Nissan Patrol. But according to a fresh report from BestCar, Mitsubishi Motors is taking a different route. The project is said to be developed entirely in-house and will reportedly use the same platform as the new Mitsubishi Triton, signaling a return to tough body-on-frame engineering built for real off-road performance.
In terms of design, the upcoming Mitsubishi Pajero is expected to feature a bold, boxy silhouette that highlights both strength and modern styling, as previewed in an earlier Ralliart concept video. With the Mitsubishi Triton serving as its foundation, the SUV is also likely to share many key mechanical components, placing it in direct competition with established off-road rivals.
POWERTRAIN
Under the hood, the next-generation Mitsubishi Pajero is widely expected to feature Mitsubishi’s 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel (4N16), delivering roughly 201 hp and 470 Nm of torque. But the bigger story could be electrification. Rumors strongly suggest a plug-in hybrid version based on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV system, pairing a 2.4-litre petrol engine with twin electric motors. For Pajero duty, the setup would likely receive a significant boost in output to handle the SUV’s larger footprint and serious off-road ambitions.
PRICE
Japanese media estimate that the revived Mitsubishi Pajero could be priced between 5.5 and 7.5 million yen, placing it slightly below the Toyota Land Cruiser 250 in the home market.
If the rumors turn out to be true, 2026 could become a landmark year for hardcore off-road SUVs. After years of Toyota domination, the Pajero’s comeback has the potential to shake up the segment once again. For loyal Pajero fans, the message is clear: it may be time to start setting money aside, because the legend looks ready for a return.
Post a Comment