- Spy photographers have captured what appears to be a mule for the next Pajero Sport.
- The ladder-frame SUV will borrow heavily from the redesigned L200 / Triton pickup truck.
- Power will likely be provided by a new 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine with different outputs.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, also sold as the Montero Sport in some markets, received a minor facelift earlier this year and now spy photographers have snapped the first photos of the redesigned SUV. It’s instantly recognizable and unsurprisingly follows in the footsteps of the latest L200 / Triton.
Caught undergoing testing in Europe, the model features an all-new front end that appears identical to the one used on the pickup. The rest of the design largely carries over and this has spy photographers believing the SUV is a mule rather than a traditional prototype. That certainly seems to be the case as it looks like someone grafted a new front end onto the current vehicle.
More: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Still Truckin’ With A Subtle Refresh For 2024
However, we can expect the production model to echo the pickup and this likely means a boxier design. The cabin should also join the 21st century by adopting a modern design and a freestanding 9-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay. We also wouldn’t be surprised to find analog gauges, a 7-inch multi-information display, and higher-quality switchgear.
Since the model is essentially a Triton-based SUV, the Pajero Sport should ride on the pickup’s new ladder frame. It uses high-tensile steel for improved rigidity and reduced weight.
We can also expect a 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine with an assortment of outputs. In the pickup, it’s rated at 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) and 243 lb-ft (330 Nm), 181 hp (135 kW / 184 PS) and 317 lb-ft (430 Nm), as well as 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 347 lb-ft (470 Nm). It should be connected to a six-speed transmission and an available four-wheel drive system.
Beyond the Pajero Sport, Mitsubishi is gearing up for a mid-cycle facelift of the Outlander, set to debut this fall in Japan, with other markets to follow. Meanwhile, there’s growing buzz about the possible return of the Pajero nameplate (not to be confused with the Pajero Sport seen here) as a luxurious large SUV featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
