.............Fortunately, the Challenger's awful 2.5-litre diesel has gone and is replaced by the new Triton's sparkling 2.4-litre MIVEC turbo-diesel engine, with 133kW at 3500rpm and 430Nm, mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission...........

..............The engine/trans combo was delightful. Some multi-speed autos shift and hunt relentlessly, even on the freeway , but the Pajero Sport’s box finds and holds top gear by 80km/h and won’t downshift from its locked-in-top 1600rpm point unless there’s a shove from the right foot or a flick of the steering column paddles. 

A pedal-to-the metal exercise gave an impressive midrange sprint that should translate into good towing performance.

The unfussed powertrain, Mitsubishi’s use of larger rubber body mounts and the noticeably soft suspension – not quite the ‘Sport’ image - contribute to an overall sense of hush and quietness in the cabin.

Mitsubishi claims best-in-class fuel economy of 8.0L/100 combined and our on-road testing confirmed that. However, off-road it used around 50-percent more, like most highyl turbocharged diesels do.

The vehicle launch began with a beach run, where the Pajero Sport showed its prowess. With tyre pressures lowered it went everywhere with ease.

Mitsubishi has retained the downhill braking strategy it introduced to the Pajero some years back. Even with the switchable hill descent control off the transmission tries to prevent a runaway when descending sand dunes.

The Sport also has good ground clearance and useful approach, ramp-over and departure angles, so it’s no surprise it was happy on rough trails.

mitsubishi pajero sportThe Exceed has a rear diff lock but even the base GLX that relied on traction control alone had no trouble in conditions that saw wheels lifting constantly. Wheelspin mitigation via the traction control was smooth and very effective.

However, we’re not convinced some underbody components will survive gravel rash too long: there are some components and lines outboard of the chassis rails that will cop a spray from the front wheels; time will tell.

The test vehicles were fitted with Mitsubishi’s accessory under-vehicle protection, but it’s not hard-core sheeting.

There are single recovery points, front and rear. ...........

If that's your method I would prefer it if you did not comment to any of my posts.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Sep 22^nd, 2016 at 10:50pm:


I'd prefer it if you stopped deleting mine ... oh wait, I forgot, one rule for you, another for everyone else.

John Smith wrote on Sep 22^nd, 2016 at 10:53pm:


That was in the guidelines. They seem to have disappeared.
If you want me to put the guidelines up again I will 


Any comments offtopic, abusive or even 'corrosive' I may delete.

I want a Pajero!

lycra while cycling is fine