As announced earlier, the 2016 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has been unveiled in full today, having made its world debut in Thailand – just like the Triton, Toyota Hilux and Fortuner earlier. With all the teasers, leaks and spyshots, there's a lot that we already know of the new ladder-frame seven-seat SUV.
But as it turns out, there's a lot more to know still. Completely redesigned and built on the second-generation Triton platform, the 2016 Pajero Sport is quite an advanced machine now. Not a rudimentary roofed-in pick-up anymore, it's not.
On the outside, Mitsubishi's new "Dynamic Shield" face dominates the front end, while the rear features a set of dramatic vertical taillights. Beautiful of not, that's up to you to decide, but it's interesting to note that the Pajero Sport gets a look of its own this time round – one that's barely related to the Triton pick-up.
Mitsubishi says its "high-quality stylish design" is both sporty and dynamic, which sets is apart from its rivals. The press release was prepared before the all-new Toyota Fortuner was unveiled, perhaps.
In any case, the interior is said to follow the same theme, with a high console dashboard and thick silver panels that distance itself from the Triton cabin that it's clearly based on. Sculpted seats (third row now folds flat), upgraded sound insulation, quieter engine and improved NVH all provide a higher level of comfort compared to before.
Under the hood lies a 2.4 litre MIVEC turbodiesel engine with 181 hp and 430 Nm – shared with the Thai/Aussie-market Triton pick-up (Malaysia gets the old 2.5 litre VGT lump) – that's matched to a brand new eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter is a first for Mitsubishi. A 17% improvement in fuel efficiency over the old model is claimed.
An upgraded version of the Super-Select 4WD-II four-wheel drive system is featured here, now complete with a new Off-road Mode and Hill Descent Control – both brand firsts. The physical transfer case gear lever is gone, replaced by a more modern rotary drive selector. Wading depth is said to be better than before too.
What's most surprising – even more so than the new eight-speeder - is the list of safety tech on offer. Seven airbags and electronic stability control aside, the 2016 Pajero Sport can be had with Forward Collision Mitigation system, Blind Spot Warning system and Ultrasonic misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS).
A what? Watch the videos here to understand. Electronic parking brake (yet another Mitsu first) and Multi-around monitor are featured too. Whether all (or any) of these advanced new features, along with the new engine and gearbox, will be fitted to Malaysian-spec models remain to be seen, however.
