Pajero Sport VGT Launched

22 September 2011

Command, Control and Conquer with the New Variable Geometry Turbo Engine

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia, introduced the new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VGT today. In its effort to further strengthen its SUV line up, the Pajero Sport VGT is a new variant of the award winning seven-seat SUV that was first introduced in Malaysia in 2009.

Mitsubishi’s proven robust and economical 2.5-litre Common Rail diesel engine is now fitted with a new powerhouse management that includes Variable Geometry Turbo, boosting power and torque levels to 178 PS and 350 Nm, respectively.

The Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) technology uses variable vanes to control exhaust flow against the turbine blades, ensuring a constant delivery of additional fresh air to the engine for optimum output and performance. 

The maximum torque of the Pajero Sport VGT is made available across a wide band from 1,800 to 3,500 rpm, ensuring stronger acceleration and flexibility. The engine management efficiency is also increased for better power and fuel efficiency. 

The new powerful VGT engine also has a new gearbox to partner with. The Pajero Sport VGT features a new 5-speed automatic transmission with Sport Mode, one forward ratio more than the transmission in the Pajero Sport GS. This upgrade provides better fuel economy as well as better driving enjoyment, the latter assisted by steering wheel magnesium paddle shifters.

The new Pajero Sport VGT will be sold alongside the Pajero Sport GS 4WD and Pajero Sport GL 2WD, offering a wider option for customers.

Available in 4 colours, Black Mica, Cool Silver, White Pearl and Quartz Brown Metallic the fully imported Pajero Sport VGT is priced at RM171, 980 on the road inclusive of insurance. Buyers will enjoy a 3-Years warranty and 2-Years free maintenance package for hassle free ownership experience.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia expects to sell more than 200 units of Pajero Sport per month which is an increase volume of 50% compared to Fiscal Year 2010 (April-March). 

“The Pajero Sport has been a great success since its debut in Malaysia. And to date, it has found more than 3,000 proud owners. Offering a new more powerful engine, advanced technology and a classier outlook of the Mitsubishi’s 4WD flagship model, this new Pajero Sport VGT variant is set to further widen the appeal of the Pajero Sport,” said Tetsuya Oda, Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia.

“The riding comfort of the seven-seat cabin is one of its biggest strengths, being both versatile and spacious. With an impressive set of new features, Pajero Sport VGT is one of the best in its class – just the right size for a growing family while delivering reliability, quality performance and safety at the same time,” added Mr. Oda. 

Mitsubishi Motors is the most successful manufacturer in Dakar Rally history, and this heritage of performance and robustness is built into the Pajero Sport.

The vehicle has won praises from customers and the media for being a spacious and a comfortable family vehicle. The quality of the vehicle is enhanced in the Pajero Sport VGT, which adds on newly designed plush leather seats for all three rows, as well as a 2-DIN full colour touch screen entertainment system with GPS navigation to the standard equipment list.

The Pajero Sport VGT also comes equipped with Mitsubishi Motors’ Super Select 4WD system that enables it to traverse the toughest terrain. This innovative system gives drivers a choice of driving modes (2H, 4H, 4HLc, 4LLc) for various conditions, be it maximizing fuel economy on tarmac, or for maximum traction on challenging surfaces. 

Other safety features includes dual airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distributor (EBD), Hybrid Limited Slip Differential (LSD) and safety brake pedal to name a few. Standard equipment lists also includes cruise control, auto climate control, and reverse camera.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VGT will be displayed for public viewing at Mid Valley Megamall from 22-25 September.

Mitsubishi Motors has a long history in motor sports, including a record-breaking 7th consecutive victory at the Dakar Rally in 2007. Mitsubishi Motors has achieved an unequalled 12 overall victories in 25 years, a track record that is reflected in the performance and quality of the Mitsubishi Motors vehicles.

More Powerful Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VGT to be launched soon in Malaysia

7 September 2011 (From the source of Mitsubishi Motor Malaysia)

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in Malaysia will be introducing the new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VGT, a new variant of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in September.

The new variant of the Pajero Sport is set to offer a more powerful engine, advanced technology and safety features. 

The Pajero Sport VGT 2.5-litre Common Rail diesel engine will be fitted with a new powerhouse management that includes Variable Geometric Turbocharger, boosting power and torque to a significantly higher level respectively.

The Variable Geometric Turbo (VGT) technology uses variable vanes to control exhaust flow against the turbine blades, ensuring a constant delivery of additional fresh air to the engine for optimum output and performance. 

With an estimated price of RM 173, 000, the new Pajero Sport variant will be sold alongside the Pajero Sport GS 4WD and Pajero Sport GL 2WD, offering a wider option for customers.

The Pajero Sport is one popular sport utility-vehicle, with over 3,000 units sold in Malaysia since its introduction in Malaysia in 2009. The seven-seater Pajero Sport – which counts space, ride comfort, robustness, economy and a Dakar Rally heritage as its strengths – has been a serial winner. 

The Pajero Sport GS 4X4 variant won the Large SUV award from Autocar ASEAN in 2009 and the GL variant has done the same for 2010, impressing the judges by being “large, spacious, hardy and equipped with modern diesel engines”. It also took home the Large SUV champion at the NST/Maybank Car of the Year Awards 2009.

Mitsubishi Motors is the most successful manufacturer in Dakar Rally history, and this heritage of performance and robustness is built into the Pajero Sport.

Mitsubishi Motors has a long history in motor sports, including a record-breaking 7th consecutive victory at the Dakar Rally in 2007. Mitsubishi Motors has achieved an unequalled 12 overall victories in 25 years, a track record that is reflected in the performance and quality of the Mitsubishi Motors vehicles.

Sport’s 4 x 4 capabilities and durability reinforced

1 June 2011 (From The Source Of MMM)

Sabahans were treated to a taste of the Dakar Rally recently when the Dakar Rally Experience by Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia rolled into Kota Kinabalu for the first time. Among the highlights of the event was the opportunity to sit in a special high speed taxi-ride with two-time Dakar Rally Champion Hiroshi Masuoka from Japan. 

The Mitsubishi 4×4 Dakar Rally Experience took place at Alamesra from 28-29 May. Being the first 4×4 event of its kind to be held in Kota Kinabalu, the response was overwhelming when more than 5,000 people attended the two-day event, which concluded with a magnificent fireworks display.

 

Participants were given a rare chance to experience the ride of their lives with Hiroshi Masuoka behind the wheel, tackling special high speed off road rides that perfectly showcased the 4×4 capabilities of the award-winning Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Triton. 

 

Masuoka, who became the second Japanese driver in history to win the Dakar Rally in year 2002 driving a Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero, took over 600 passengers around the high speed course and gave them a small taste of what a Dakar Rally stage feels like. 

 

The easy going Masuoka was fully at ease, even while adapting to the rough terrain and power sliding around the corners. The champion barely broke a sweat over the two-day event and was in high spirits. 

 

“I am very happy to be here in Kota Kinabalu for the first time. The rough terrains in KK have certainly put the Triton and Pajero Sport to the test and I am proud to say both of the Mitsubishi vehicles had conquered all rough terrains with proven 4WD capabilities for both off-road traction and on-road cruising comfort”, said Hiroshi Masuoka. 

The public was also given a chance to experience the Triton pickup and Pajero Sport SUV’s good off-road handling, durability and superb performance. The award-winning vehicles were tested on a specially designed off road track, with the vehicles navigating over a 48-degree side traverse ramp, cross axle ramp and a 50-degree giant ramp.

 

Mr. Dulceh Yahya, who attended the event with his family said: “I was very excited to ride with the Dakar Rally Champion himself, Mr. Masuoka. I am also impressed by the performance of the Mitsubishi Triton and Pajero Sport which were of normal specification and did not go through modification. Even though the terrain was muddy and rough, I still experienced Mitsubishi 4×4 vehicles’ good off-road handling, durability and comfort in an exciting way. Thumbs up to Mitsubishi for bringing such an exciting event!” 

“I drove the Mitsubishi Triton through the giant ramp to test its ability. I must say that I am impressed by its suspension, performance and capabilities to go through challenging off-road terrains,” said 4×4 vehicle enthusiasts En Mumtaz. 

 

Visitors were also treated to fun activities and live band performances at the Mitsubishi 4×4 Dakar Rally Experience. With great deals to enjoy and fun activities for the whole family, the first 100 daily to test drive any Mitsubishi Motors models went home with an exclusive Mitsubishi Motors merchandise.

As part of Mitsubishi’s effort to serve East Malaysian customers better, Mitsubishi Motors now has six 3S centres in operation. Three more 3S centres are in the pipeline and will begin operations before end of this year. Mitsubishi owners can now visit its newly appointed authorised parts stockists, Standard Spare Parts Sdn Bhd in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. 

 Mitsubishi 4WD System 

 The Triton’s Easy Select 4WD and Pajero Sport’s Super Select 4WD system offer multi modes for all situations. 2H is for maximising efficiency on tarmac driving while 4H spreads drive 50:50 to all four wheels for more secure traction in slippery conditions. Drivers can switch between this two modes “on the fly” at speeds of up to 100 km/h. 

When the going gets tough, there’s 4L mode in the Triton to tackle rough terrain. In this mode, 4WD joined by low range gears for maximum traction through mud or sand. The Pajero Sport’s Super Select 4WD system has two all wheel drive modes – 4HLc and 4LLc, the latter utilises low range gearing and locking differentials. Both models come with Hybrid LSD (Limited Slip Differential), which combines the torque-sensing benefit of helical gears and a speed-sensing benefit of a viscous coupling unit. 

Besides top class 4WD hardware, both the Triton and Pajero Sport are powered by a robust and strong 2.5-litre commonrail diesel engine. This 136 PS and 314 Nm DI-D engine is a modern unit with DOHC, 16 valves and intercooler turbo. The range topping 3.2-litre engine in the Triton offers more power and torque still – 160 PS and 343 Nm to be exact. Both engines are paired to a smooth shifting 4-speed automatic transmission, with INVECS-II logic and Sports Mode in the Pajero Sport. 

Car of the Year Awards 

The Mitsubishi Triton has won best in Category Autocar ASEAN Awards at least four times as well as New Straits Times/Maybank Car of the Year Awards four times. It is the only truck in Malaysia that can claim to have an entire range of award-winning variants.

The Triton full range consists of the 3.2-litre 4×4 Automatic, Triton 2.5-litre 4×4 Automatic and Manual, Triton 2.5-litre 4×4 Standard Manual and Triton Lite 2.5-litre 4×2 Manual.

Motor Sports 

Mitsubishi Motors has a long history in motor sports, including a record-breaking 7th consecutive victory at the Dakar Rally in 2007. Mitsubishi Motors has achieved an unequalled 12 overall victories in 25 years, a track record that is reflected in the performance and quality of the Mitsubishi Motors vehicles.

Thorough Details About Mitsubishi Pajero Exceed

Mention Mitsubishi Pajero to someone and guaranteed, the photo above is what will pop into their mind. Mention Commodore however and there could be a myriad of designs which they remember. Yes, the Pajero has been with us in a form like this for a very long time. Small tweaks along the way haven’t detracted from its attractiveness, however it hasn’t really changed much over the past decade.

It still sells, though, with Mitsubishi’s 5/10 Diamond Advantage warranty a keen deal maker. In 2009 it also receive a major power boost in the form of the 4M41 Common-Rail DI-D engine, which bumped power and torque by over 18 percent from the previous model. But as far as the interior goes, not a lot has changed. There’s still some faux-wood grain on the Exceed model (which we have on test), the same shaped dash as previous and basic interior dimensions remain the same.

While that’s not a bad thing, in that the interior is spacious and extremely comfortable, if you have a family like mine, there is a major drawback. The boot space is excellent, at 1050-litres when the third row is packed away. But if you’ve got a couple of young kids and then you have two more people, like the in-laws, who decide to come along with you, then you’ll need to utilise that third row.

Herein lies the problem: unlike most of its rivals, the Pajero’s sixth and seventh seats cannot be utilised independently. This means that with six people on board, you can’t bring a pram with you, as it won’t fit behind the third row. Toyota’s Prado and Land Rover’s Discovery 4, for example, allow the sixth seat to be used by itself, but a pram will fit alongside the seat, as well as having enough room for shopping and other sundry items behind the seat. This limits the Pajero’s ultimate practicality, however the rest of the interior has little to complain about.

There’s heaps of storage, good sized cup and bottle holders, grab handles for entry and egress, and decent quality leather covering the seats. Of course, the instrumentation and dash shape have been with us for some time now, but somehow it hasn’t dated too badly, the only exception being the screen at the top of the centre stack – a new LCD display would be good.

The Rockford Fosgate stereo is brilliant, and quite easy to set up using Mitsubishi’s Multi Communication System (MMCS), which is a touchscreen that controls radio, SatNav, DVD, reversing camera (which has a fantastically wide angle) and other functions. The boot mounted subwoofer adds to the punchiness on offer, too.

The carpets can be difficult to remove sand from, as it tends to lock into the fibres, however the seats are easy clean and very comfortable in all three rows. The Exceed specification tries to play the luxury part, however it would have been good to skip on the wood inserts at the top and bottom of the steering wheel – all they do is make things slippery, which can be dangerous.

The reason is you’ll be doing plenty of wheel twirling, as the Pajero, like its Triton stablemate, needs plenty of turns from lock to lock. Off road this isn’t really an issue and the reduced steering effort can sometimes be good, however on road it’s wearisome, especially in carparks where overcoming its slightly wide 11.4m turning circle can be an issue. Thankfully, you get a decent amount of feel through the steering. You also get good feel through the brakes, which work quite well, although when really tested, they will heat up and pedal travel increases ever so slightly.

Dynamically, the Pajero is fairly good for a large four-wheel-drive. Aside from the steering, it turns in without too much fuss, and handles quite well, exhibiting body roll as you would expect and keeping a predictable neutral-to-understeer balance the whole way through cornering. It rides firmly, and sharp ridges will cause it to jolt slightly, but it’s never jarring or too uncomfortable.

The biggest downfall of the Pajero, though, is the engine. Despite having plenty of grunt and accelerating quite well, there’s a constant reminder of its truck-like engine coming through the firewall, with the rattly diesel always letting you know what revs it’s at, not by looking at the tacho, but by its volume. Put it this way, a 2004 Toyota Prado diesel sounds more refined, and in 2010, this engine simply does not cut it. The only redeeming feature is it achieves reasonable fuel economy for such a heavy beast. On test this week, with our off road expedition included, it used 11.2-litres/100km.

The suspension, which on road is merely average, has excellent travel, even with independent front and rear axles. Ground clearance of 225mm and a wading depth of 700mm means it’s up there with the big boys. Even when bouncing across rutted sand, the wheels quickly followed the surface, ensuring power was always getting to the ground. In some instances the ESC decided to cut in, but it never really hindered things, just kept the car straight and true. In rocky conditions it’s worth its weight in gold, as it clamps down wheels losing grip and as soon as it senses they’ve gripped again, it lets go, in split second timing.

Hill climbing in high-range on powder-soft sand wasn’t an issue as it has been with other diesels, and in low-range it is unstoppable. The optional rear diff lock would only make things better. Rather than upshifting and killling off power, the automatic holds onto the gears in manual mode, too.

If you’re buying a car that will comfortably go anywhere, but also haul people for the city trek, then the Pajero Exceed will suit your purpose.

Of course, Mitsubishi counters with a few more interior gadgets than both the Prado and Disco, as well as a far superior warranty, but its interior is nowhere near as flexible. It is a good looking machine, and off road it’s formidable, but we’ll be watching keenly for a complete redesign – it’s well overdue.

Thorough Details About Mitsubishi Pajero Sports

Based on Mitsubishi Triton, the truck-based Pajero Sport is basically a hardcore off-roader with seven usable seats and good ride comfort. But for the money, there are more civilised SUVs around. 

Modern and far removed from appearing utilitarian, Pajero Sport is a good-looking SUV, with more than a hint of Mitsubishi Outlander. That said, key rivals Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest both look good, too. Moreover, with Mitsubishi Triton, which shares a common platform with Pajero Sport, having undergone a facelift, the association between the two models is diminished—hence reducing the idea, in the minds of prospective customers, that Pajero Sport is very much a truck underneath.

Pajero Sport is a true off-roader, sharing a ladder frame chassis with Triton. But the front gets a double-wishbone setup instead, while the rear gets a three-link setup with coil springs. Stabiliser bar is standard front and rear, too. Even so, ride comfort improves but handling is still less than confidence-inspiring. The high centre of gravity, low level of mechanical grip and considerable body roll mean that Pajero Sport should be driven with care, especially in the wet. With the canopy in place over the rear, the front/rear weight distribution is better than Triton's, and so feels more balanced. 

Thanks to the various suspension setup changes, Pajero Sport rides in a more comfortable, more settled manner compared to its truck sibling, Triton. Road imperfections are overcome without drama, and highway cruising does not feel floaty—a quality not always found in truck-based SUVs. The driving position comes with seat-height adjustments and tilt-adjustable steering column. The dash architecture is imported from Triton, which means everything is optimally positioned. Seats are more supportive than Triton's, but the touch-screen entertainment system could be more intuitive to use.

Pajero Sport carries over the qualities—namely solid construction, good finishing, reasonably appealing materials—that made Triton's cabin the best among trucks. To match its higher-end positioning and bigger price tag, faux wood trim and leather upholstery are standard. But while we can live with the barely convincing wood trim, the shiny plastic stripes along the two sides of the centre console should have been omitted. The underlying mechanicals have been proven reliable in Triton, so Pajero Sport should be of little trouble in the longer term. 

Equipped with the 134 bhp, 314 Nm 2.5-litre 16-valve inline-four turbodiesel that also powers Triton, Pajero Sport uses a new four-speed automatic gearbox and delivers power through the new Super Select 4WD system, which shifts between 2WD and 4WD on the move at up to 100 km/h. Low-range gearing and a lockable centre differential are standard, too. The engine performance feels sluggish, however, due to Pajero Sport's substantial weight increase over Triton. Take-off requires time, although picking up speed becomes easier as you go faster. The gearbox works faultlessly, though. 

Like key rivals Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest, Pajero Sport makes a genuine seven-seater. Climbing into and out of the cabin could be a problem for senior family members and young children. But once settled, seven can be seated in good comfort. The front and middle rows are roomy; the last row offers no lack of head- or leg-room, though the relatively low seats mean a less comfortable seating position. As expected, the rear two rows of seats can be folded to free up loading space.

The 2.5-litre turbodiesel runs reasonably efficiently, but Pajero Sport's almost 200 kg weight increase over Triton will surely dent fuel economy. Servicing and repair costs should be affordable. Given the limited demand for truck-based SUVs, residual values would at best be mediocre. The Mitsubishi badge will support prices to a certain extent, but key rival Fortuner wears a Toyota badge, and will retain better values as a result. 

Truck-based SUVs like Pajero Sport, as well as key rivals Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest, have a relatively limited demand for an obvious reason: the truck platform can only be comfortable up to a point, and unless you regularly go off-road, there is no reason to compromise. Yes, Fortuner sells very well, but that is most likely due to the Toyota badge than anything else. If you are an urban folk and want the diesel economy and seven seats, car-based SUVs such as Inokom Santa Fe and Chevrolet Captiva will be more suited for your needs.

Standard equipments include 17" alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel/gearshift knob/transfer knob, leather seats, manual air-conditioning with rear cooler, keyless entry, front/rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable and foldable door mirrors, and 2-Din touch-screen AM/FM/DVD/CD/MP3/AAC audio system with USB/AUX inputs. Safety equipments include dual front SRS airbags, and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).

The 2.5-litre turbodiesel is average in terms of carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption by class standards. But hauling Pajero Sport's two-tonne kerb weight means the engine works hard to attain speed all the time, boding ill for you (higher fuel bills) and the environment (higher emissions). Environmentalists should stay away from all SUVs, truck-based or otherwise.

Mitsubishi Pajero Overview

Mitsubishi’s latest SUV will be powered by a 2.5-litre turbodiesel with Common Rail direct-injection fuel delivery which deliver outstanding motive performance and fuel economy.This engine delivers an impressive 136 ps of power with 314 Nm of torque at 2000rpm.  In terms of architecture, the body of the Pajero Sport is mounted on a new ladder frame to realize high levels of durability and reliability, consistent with the needs of its target markets.

Combining a high seat position with wide front windshield, Pajero Sport gives you a commanding view of your surroundings, with luxurious styling to make the ride all the more pleasant. The controls, meters and gearshift are all ergonomically arranged around the wheel for intuitive operation while driving. At the center of it all sits the meter cluster, attractively designed in red for maximum visibility in all conditions.

For safety reason, this New Pajero Sport equipped with ABS with EBD.ABS keeps wheels from locking up to maintain control of the vehicle during hard emergency braking, preventing slipping and skidding. Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) assists by redistributing braking force to the rear brakes as needed, enabling quicker stops even when carrying passengers and heavy loads.

2 time Dakar Rally champion Hiroshi Masuoka, 4 x 4 off-road and on-road test drive

13 May 2011 (From The Source: MMM)

28 – 29 May 2011 (Saturday & Sunday)
Lorong Plaza Utama, Alamesra, Kota Kinabalu

Want to experience first hand thrills of high speed and off-road driving, as well as the proven capabilities of Mitsubishi 4X4 vehicles? Come and experience a taste of the Dakar Rally right here in Kota Kinabalu for the first time and stand a chance to ride on a special high-speed taxi-ride with two-time Dakar Rally Champion Hiroshi Masuoka from Japan.

This special event will take place on May 28 and 29 (Saturday and Sunday) from 9.00am to 8.00pm at Lorong Plaza Utama, Alamesra. Admission is FREE.

Hiroshi Masuoka will be leading the special high speed rides by showcasing the capabilities of the award-winning Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Triton. These two driving machines will be put to the test on a specially designed track at the event venue itself. 

 

 

Hiroshi Masuoka became the second only Japanese driver in history to win the Dakar Rally in year 2002 with the official Mitsubishi team in a Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero. Hiroshi took a second successive victory in 2003. Mitsubishi Motors is the most successful make in Dakar Rally history, winning the “World’s Toughest Race” a record of 12 times.

 

Apart from the exciting high-speed rides, visitors can also expect to be entertained by nightly live concerts and performances by local artiste. Entertaining games and activities will also be provided for the whole family including street magic, mingling clown, face painting, as well as bouncing castles and sand art for the little ones. 

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s current line-up of vehicles including the Triton variants, Pajero Sport GS, Pajero Sport GL and ASX compact crossover will also be available for on-road test drive.

With great deals to enjoy and fun activities for the whole family, be amongst the first 100 daily to test drive any Mitsubishi Motors models and get exclusive Mitsubishi merchandise.

"The Mitsubishi Triton has won best in Category Autocar ASEAN Awards at least four times as well as New Straits Times/Maybank Car of the Year Awards four times. It is the only truck in Malaysia that can claim to have an entire range of award-winning variants.

The Triton full range consists of the 3.2-litre 4×4 Automatic, Triton 2.5-litre 4×4 Automatic and Manual, Triton 2.5-litre 4×4 Standard Manual and Triton Lite 2.5-litre 4×2 Manual.

Mitsubishi Motors has a long history in motor sports, including a record-breaking 7th consecutive victory at the Dakar Rally in 2007. Mitsubishi Motors has achieved an unequalled 12 overall victories in 25 years, a track record that is reflected in the performance and quality of the Mitsubishi Motors vehicles."