Mitsubishi's future is in SUVs

[98NL GL]

wicket

Hmm just saw the vid of the Pajero sport.....And I like it...I want one and I think it'll kick some ass but I doubt if it'll replace Pajero.

cheers,

[Ian Sharpe]

The worst part of all this is that people who don't pay much attention to Mitsubishi vehicles are gonna think that this is the New Pajero, when it isn't.

"Have you seen the new Pajero? Looks like s***! Therefor by extension, your car is s***."

"...but it's a Challenger..."

I actually don't mind the look of it but the general public consensus is the opposite.

It might pass, if

1. They went back to a 7 seater
2. Pissed off the crappy little 2.4 tdi.
3. Put a decent motor in there that could punch with the big guys.

[caroma]

It might pass, if

1. They went back to a 7 seater
2. Pissed off the crappy little 2.4 tdi.
3. Put a decent motor in there that could punch with the big guys.

All signs are pointing to none of those suggestions happening so, its a Fail.

However, I reckon IF there is a Next Gen Pajero, itll come in some form of Hybrid form with the PHEV technology. They seem really driven to go in that direction with their future SUVs.

[Stroker]

For starters they're running out of the alphabet! Only ny nz left.

They always have NO up their sleeves because the skipped that one, It might even be appropriate for the final model

Glenn

[M@S@]

I do agree. As you see in the sales figures, dual cab utes have really taken off and are (deservedly) sucking up the R&D dollars.
Enclosing the rear of a Triton and calling it a 'Pajero Sport' is a lot cheaper than designing a big monocoque 4WD and trying to sell it at a profit in today's market.

Why take the risk?

Mitsubishi clearly can not justify the expense if the ROI isn't guaranteed to be there. Instead they are trying to string along the Pajero with token face lifts and interior upgrades. The big issue might be the struggling emissions compliance of the 3.2L engine.

Meanwhile the competition and other vehicles in their stable surpass the struggling Pajero.
We see that the new Challenger gains the latest Triton underpinnings and new off-road smarts including hill descent control and terrain selection. The Pajero promises... carplay.

The Pajero Sport is an old name for the Challenger, they just haven't used it in Australia before for some reason. Worldwide the Pajero/Montero sport name has been used since the first generation challenger.

If they were to ditch the Pajero, why wouldn't they have named the challenger directly to Pajero?

Big SUV's stay in production for long. For example the discovery 4 is basically the same as discovery 3, and that was released in 2004.

I am sure the new toys come in every model, when time time comes . . .

[pauld]

If the Pajero was still around in same form in 4-5 years I would by another, it does everything I want it to do - and for only $50K.

[craka]

If the Pajero was still around in same form in 4-5 years I would by another, it does everything I want it to do - and for only $50K.

I tend to agree, the LandRover Defender still looks the same as has done for years and people still buy that. Though I think like someone else said, that MM may wait until they have the PHEV concept fully nutted out before the next major update.

[caroma]

If the Pajero was still around in same form in 4-5 years I would by another, it does everything I want it to do - and for only $50K.

Me too. I'd only ask that they move the spare wheel.

I tend to agree, the LandRover Defender still looks the same as has done for years and people still buy that. Though I think like someone else said, that MM may wait until they have the PHEV concept fully nutted out before the next major update.

I think the PHEV tech being implemented across their entire catalogue is inevitable.

[PBChallengerM/T]

Hope they give us some notice if/when they wind up production of the poor old girl like they did with the Lancer Evolution Final Edition. At least if they do that we will have the opportunity to pick up the last of the breed destined to become a sought after collectors item and a keeper.

[Paj man]

http://www.unsealed4x4.com.au/pajero-to-be-killed-off/

Has everyone seen this?

[dragonsky]

The reasoning seems to be lack of funds to do the research to meet US consumption laws.

It think the focus on meeting California's fuel consumption laws is going to make getting a off-road capable long range tourer a very difficult task in a few years. I think we will be forced into the 4wd work ute market.

[pajeromack]

I don't understand why Mitsubishi is so intent on consigning themselves to mediocrity. Killing off the Pajero and Lancer Evolution and replacing them with what.. a hybrid Outlander and a Mirage?

Dark days indeed.

[Paul (SA)]

As a company they are simply struggling to survive and need to offload the big cost items to stay afloat. The concept of a long overdue upgrade for the Pajero is just a financial bridge too far for MM.

It is obvious the regulations around reducing emissions is threatening many vehicle manufacturers. It is hard enough developing engines to comply with the current regulations. Into the future it is simply going to get tougher and tougher to comply for all manufacturers building large beasts like the Pajero.

I wouldn't be surprised if others like Toyota are thinking the same.

I reckon this is just the start - other makers will not be able to hang in there and maintain the high costs of engineering and R&D to keep afloat.

Hence the move to "SUVs" and similar crossover vehicles that can suit a broad reach of consumers. Electric driven vehicles like the PHEV is another out for car makers etc etc.

[gta1898]

In MM announcement they mention the need to comply with the USA consumption laws of the future, I did a google search and in USA by 2016 cars / light trucks have to average 35mpg (8l/100km)and by 2025 54mpg (5.2l/100km)!!.

As mention above if this is the case then how will other big 4x4 manufactures comply, probably lots of Hybid technology, which is probably OK for the average user when new but I hate to think of the cost associated with repairs to all this complex technology further down the line as the vehicles age.

In the UK the new Pajero (Shogun UK) (2016MY) has been tweaked to comply with the new Euro 2016 emissions regulations for NOX and as a consequence the CO2 emissions have increased (I guess they are using even more EGR) putting the car into the next 'tax' bracket, meaning I pay £290 per year to be allowed to use the public roads but for the MY2016 it's £490!!

Complying with all these ever increasing regulations is going to get even harder, especially as the VW scandal has brought into question the whole Euro testing criteria.

[ausGeoff]

I'm guessing that all the vehicle manufacturers will be shifting their alleged off-road capable vehicles to the SUV, or soft-roader category soon.

My partner runs a new Suzuki SX4, 112kW/190 Nm, AWD soft-roader, and it performs surprisingly well for a $25K vehicle. No probs along the Ninety-Mile beach, and corners on wet, formed roads like it's on rails. Its obvious drawbacks all relate to lousy ground clearance and ramp-over angle. So forget deep ruts and anything overly rocky!

Strangely enough, my very first 4WD was a 1978, 800cc, Suzuki LJ80, which with its lumpy tyres was virtually impossible to bog. And $4800 retail. I wish I still had that little yellow Tonka toy LOL.