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The NM model was introduced.
Released in June 2000, the Mitsubishi Mk.3 Pajero was a four-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Sakahogi, Japan, the NM Pajero was initially available with either a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel 4M40 engine or a 3.5-litre V6 6G74 petrol engine. The NM Pajero range initially consisted of GL, GLX, GLS and Exceed variants – of these, the GL had five seats, while the others all had seven.
In May 2002, the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine was replaced with a 3.2-litre unit (Mitsubishi’s 4M41 engine) which had direct-injection (i.e. fuel sprayed directly into the combustion bowl on the top of the piston), double overhead cams and four valves per cylinder.
Compared to its Mk.2 predecessor, the Mk.3 Pajero was 60 mm longer (at 4795 mm), 100 mm wider (1875 mm), 35 mm lower (1855 mm) and had a 55 mm longer wheelbase (2780 mm); ground clearance also increased by 20 mm to 235 mm. Furthermore, the Mk.3 Pajero had a one-piece monocoque bodyshell with an integral frame. Combined with high-strength steel, the bodyshell achieved a three-fold increase in body bending and torsional strength.
The Mk.3 Pajero had independent double wishbone front suspension (previously torsion bear) and multi-link rear suspension, both with anti-roll stabiliser bars. The Mk.3 Pajero also introduced a new rack and pinion steering system.
Easy Select and Super Select 4WD modes
The Mk.3 Pajero had a two-setting constant mesh torque transfer unit which incorporated a centre differential with planetary gears and a viscous coupling unit. The GL variants were fitted with an ‘Easy Select’ 4WD with three drive modes:
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the NM Pajero consisted of a driver’s airbag. The Exceed was further equipped with a front passenger airbag, ABS and electronic brake force distribution.
From April 2001, the GLS was fitted with a front passenger airbag.
Features
Standard features for the Pajero GL included a four speaker sound system with a CD player, air conditioning, split and folding second row seats, remote central locking, power mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser.
In addition to its third row of seats, the Pajero GLX added cruise control and power windows. The GLS variant was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels and an RV meter, a coloured LCD in the centre dash module which displayed the time, date, a compass, outside temperature, barometric pressure gauge, altimeter, wheel speed indicator for vehicles with ABS and service maintenance records.
The range-topping Pajero Exceed was distinguished by its six speaker sound system with a six-disc CD player, dual-zone air conditioning, a power adjustable driver’s seat, leather seat trim and front fog lights. From April 2001, the Exceed was fitted with dual-zone climate control air conditioning.
2000 Pajero GLX Plus
In December 2000, GLX Plus variants were released. Compared to the standard GLX, the Pajero GLX Plus added 16-inch alloy wheels and a six-disc CD player. The GLX Plus was also fitted with a sports roof rack and a heavy duty square hitch load equalising tow bar. Visually, the GLX Plus variants could be identified by their body-coloured fender flares and bumpers, and spare wheel cover.
2001 Pajero Dakar
In May 2001, Dakar variants were released to commemorate the first, second and fifth places of Pajeros in the Paris-Dakar rally. Based on the GLX, the Pajero Dakar was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels and a six-disc CD player. Visually, the Dakar variants could be identified by their body-coloured bumpers and wheel-arch flares, rear roof spoiler and ‘Dakar’ badging.
2001 Pajero Tanami
In October 2001, the limited-run Pajero Tanami was released. Named after the Tanami desert, the Pajero Tanami was based on the GLS but added side steps, a heavy duty towbar, sports roof racks, tailored floor mats, a rear dust deflector, vinyl spare wheel cover and ‘Tanami’ badging. In NSW, the Tanami was fitted with a six-disc CD player; in other states, however, the Tanami was fitted with an airbag-compatibility alloy bullbar.
Released in June 2000, the Mitsubishi Mk.3 Pajero was a four-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Sakahogi, Japan, the NM Pajero was initially available with either a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel 4M40 engine or a 3.5-litre V6 6G74 petrol engine. The NM Pajero range initially consisted of GL, GLX, GLS and Exceed variants – of these, the GL had five seats, while the others all had seven.
In May 2002, the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine was replaced with a 3.2-litre unit (Mitsubishi’s 4M41 engine) which had direct-injection (i.e. fuel sprayed directly into the combustion bowl on the top of the piston), double overhead cams and four valves per cylinder.
Compared to its Mk.2 predecessor, the Mk.3 Pajero was 60 mm longer (at 4795 mm), 100 mm wider (1875 mm), 35 mm lower (1855 mm) and had a 55 mm longer wheelbase (2780 mm); ground clearance also increased by 20 mm to 235 mm. Furthermore, the Mk.3 Pajero had a one-piece monocoque bodyshell with an integral frame. Combined with high-strength steel, the bodyshell achieved a three-fold increase in body bending and torsional strength.
The Mk.3 Pajero had independent double wishbone front suspension (previously torsion bear) and multi-link rear suspension, both with anti-roll stabiliser bars. The Mk.3 Pajero also introduced a new rack and pinion steering system.
Easy Select and Super Select 4WD modes
The Mk.3 Pajero had a two-setting constant mesh torque transfer unit which incorporated a centre differential with planetary gears and a viscous coupling unit. The GL variants were fitted with an ‘Easy Select’ 4WD with three drive modes:
- 2H: rear-wheel drive, viscous coupling unit (VCU) not engaged and high range gearing;
- 4H: four-wheel drive, VCU engaged for a 50:50 front/rear torque split and high range gearing; and,
- 4L: four-wheel drive, VCU engaged 50:50 front/rear torque split and low range gearing.All other variants had the ‘Super Select’ 4WD system which included four drive modes:
- 2H: rear-wheel drive (as above);
- 4H: four-wheel drive with a 33:67 front/rear torque split for low traction situations;
- 4HLc: VCU engaged for a 50:50 front/rear torque split – suitable for traction on low grip surfaces such as sand and snow; and,
- 4LLc: torque sent forward, bypassing the VCU and with a gear reduction ratio of 1.90:1.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the NM Pajero consisted of a driver’s airbag. The Exceed was further equipped with a front passenger airbag, ABS and electronic brake force distribution.
From April 2001, the GLS was fitted with a front passenger airbag.
Features
Standard features for the Pajero GL included a four speaker sound system with a CD player, air conditioning, split and folding second row seats, remote central locking, power mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel and an immobiliser.
In addition to its third row of seats, the Pajero GLX added cruise control and power windows. The GLS variant was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels and an RV meter, a coloured LCD in the centre dash module which displayed the time, date, a compass, outside temperature, barometric pressure gauge, altimeter, wheel speed indicator for vehicles with ABS and service maintenance records.
The range-topping Pajero Exceed was distinguished by its six speaker sound system with a six-disc CD player, dual-zone air conditioning, a power adjustable driver’s seat, leather seat trim and front fog lights. From April 2001, the Exceed was fitted with dual-zone climate control air conditioning.
2000 Pajero GLX Plus
In December 2000, GLX Plus variants were released. Compared to the standard GLX, the Pajero GLX Plus added 16-inch alloy wheels and a six-disc CD player. The GLX Plus was also fitted with a sports roof rack and a heavy duty square hitch load equalising tow bar. Visually, the GLX Plus variants could be identified by their body-coloured fender flares and bumpers, and spare wheel cover.
2001 Pajero Dakar
In May 2001, Dakar variants were released to commemorate the first, second and fifth places of Pajeros in the Paris-Dakar rally. Based on the GLX, the Pajero Dakar was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels and a six-disc CD player. Visually, the Dakar variants could be identified by their body-coloured bumpers and wheel-arch flares, rear roof spoiler and ‘Dakar’ badging.
2001 Pajero Tanami
In October 2001, the limited-run Pajero Tanami was released. Named after the Tanami desert, the Pajero Tanami was based on the GLS but added side steps, a heavy duty towbar, sports roof racks, tailored floor mats, a rear dust deflector, vinyl spare wheel cover and ‘Tanami’ badging. In NSW, the Tanami was fitted with a six-disc CD player; in other states, however, the Tanami was fitted with an airbag-compatibility alloy bullbar.
but fixed.
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