ANOTHER SUPREME OFF ROAD VALUE-FOR-MONEY OFFERING FROM MITSUBISHI SA
Mitsubishi Motors SA has launched another supreme off-roader in the form of the 2014 update on the two-door Pajero short wheelbase (SWB) SUV.
The updated Pajero SWB once again has a rear diff-lock included in the standard specification. This feature, linked to the famous shift-on-the-fly Super Select 4WD system makes for a very capable, serious off-roader.
Other upgrades to the 2014 model include the inclusion of a rear-view camera, privacy glass, colour-coded door handles and exterior rear view mirrors as well as a USB port.
The standard Pajero SWB is priced at R549 000, which is very competitive in a market where it has few competitors besides the Land Rover Defender SWB and Jeep Wrangler, which have much less standard equipment and far fewer comfort features.
The Pajero SWB is powered by a tried and trusted 3.2-litre common rail turbo-diesel developing 140kW of power and 441 Nm of torque which drives the wheels through a five speed automatic transmission with the versatile and efficient Super-Select all-wheel drive system.
The Super-Select system offers 2WD, 4WD (4H) without locked centre differential, where the power is split 33/67 between front/rear wheels giving the driver the benefits of an all-wheel drive vehicle, including better control for high-speed driving. The 4HLc and 4LLc settings lock the centre differential and split the power 50/50 between front and rear wheels. All this together with the lockable rear differential, makes the Pajero SWB virtually unstoppable.
Although the off-road ability is still extremely important to the designers of Pajero they have also paid a great deal of attention to safety and comfort for the occupants.
Standard safety features include six airbags, Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC) and high intensity discharge headlamps with automatic levelling, while convenience and comfort features include a rear-view camera, park distance control, glass sunroof, multi-function steering wheel with remote controls for the audio system and cruise control. There are also heated seats for driver and front passenger as well as Bluetooth with hands free voice control for the cell phone.
There is an easy-to-read central information system with multiple read-outs, including a compass, altimeter and barometer for the outdoor enthusiast.
The Mitsubishi Pajero certainly has all the right DNA for tackling the toughest off-road obstacles as its forerunners won the gruelling Dakar Rally no fewer than 12 times, making it the most successful vehicle brand in 33 years of Dakar history.
The Pajero SWB has the best break-over angle in its class at 25.2 degrees as well as many other attributes that are invaluable when the going gets tough, yet still offers an exceptionally easy and comfortable drive in city traffic, highways and remote country roads.
Following the success of the Pajero long wheelbase (LWB) Legend campaign of 2013, which marked the 30 year celebration of the Pajero SUV in South Africa, the question was asked: “Why not a celebratory version of the Pajero SWB?”
In reply to this popular request the company will therefore also be offering 30 limited edition Pajero SWB Legend models, which will offer customers an extensive range of added value items to further enhance the rough off-road driving experience when enjoying the outdoors or participating in outdoor sport.
The Pajero SWB Legend costs R30 000 more than the standard model, at R579 000, but the 30 lucky buyers get the following extra equipment, worth more than R80 000, to make these models even better suited to a life in the rough outdoors:
- Off-road tyres
- Tyre monitoring system
- Air compressor built into the engine compartment
- Nudge bar
- 6” LED spotlights
- Under-body protection plates to protect the engine, sump and gearbox
- Heavy duty seat covers
- Dual battery system
- Rock sliders
- Roof rack.
The Mitsubishi Pajero SWB is ideally suited to the requirements of those who love the great outdoors, and is the perfect ambassador for the brand slogan of “Life’s an adventure”.
