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2027 Mitsubishi Pajero Returns as a Hardcore 4×4

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The Mitsubishi Pajero is back, and this time the legendary nameplate returns with a clear mission: take on the Toyota Land Cruiser in the increasingly competitive market for rugged, premium-capable 4x4s.

Known as the Shogun in the UK during its previous generation, the Pajero built its reputation on genuine off-road ability rather than simply looking the part. The new model continues that philosophy, combining a traditional body-on-frame chassis with modern technology, a more luxurious interior and a new diesel powertrain.

Mitsubishi says the new Pajero has been developed around the concept of “off-road comfort,” with engineers aiming to preserve the vehicle’s all-terrain capability while making it considerably more refined and comfortable on paved roads.

A Classic Pajero Shape with Modern Details

Visually, the new Mitsubishi Pajero takes inspiration from the model’s most recognizable generations, particularly the short-wheelbase Pajeros that became motorsport legends during the Paris-Dakar Rally.

Its upright, boxy proportions immediately distinguish it from the increasingly rounded designs of many modern SUVs. The high bonnet, squared-off body and substantial wheel arches give the Pajero a purposeful appearance, while its tall stance emphasizes its off-road credentials.

One notable change is the absence of the traditional spare wheel mounted on the tailgate. That feature became almost synonymous with previous generations of the Pajero and Shogun, but Mitsubishi has opted for a cleaner rear-end design on the new model.

Underneath, however, the Pajero remains decidedly old-school where it matters most.

The body-on-frame construction is designed to withstand the stresses associated with serious off-road driving, while a generous 230mm of ground clearance helps the SUV negotiate rocky trails, deep ruts and uneven terrain.

The approach angle is rated at 30.4 degrees, while the departure angle is 25.8 degrees. Combined with chunky tyres and its elevated ride height, those figures should make the new Pajero considerably more capable away from paved roads than the average modern family SUV.

New 2.4-Litre Diesel Delivers 201bhp

Power comes from a newly developed version of Mitsubishi’s 2.4-litre diesel engine, derived from the unit used in the Mitsubishi L200 pickup.

In the Pajero, the engine produces 201bhp and 354lb ft of torque. The power is sent to all four wheels through a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

The combination of a torque-rich diesel engine, four-wheel drive and a traditional automatic gearbox is particularly appropriate for the Pajero’s intended role. Strong low- and mid-range torque should be useful both when towing and when crawling over difficult terrain.

Mitsubishi has also brought one of its most famous performance technologies back into the spotlight.

The new Pajero features Active Yaw Control, a system first introduced on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V. Rather than simply distributing power between the front and rear axles, the system can vary torque between the left- and right-hand wheels.

The technology is intended to improve both agility and stability, potentially giving the large 4×4 more confidence on winding roads while also helping it maintain composure when conditions become difficult.

That combination illustrates Mitsubishi’s broader approach to the new Pajero: traditional off-road engineering supplemented by technology originally developed for high-performance cars.

Mitsubishi’s Most Luxurious Pajero Yet

Although the Pajero retains the mechanical ingredients of a serious off-roader, its cabin represents a significant departure from the utilitarian character associated with older generations.

The new model is positioned as Mitsubishi’s flagship, and the interior has been upgraded accordingly.

Leather covers much of the cabin, while seating for up to seven passengers is provided across three rows. Three-zone climate control and ventilated seats are also available, giving the Pajero the equipment expected from a modern premium SUV.

One of the more unusual features is its Yamaha sound system, which is engineered not only to provide high-quality audio but also to help cancel road noise entering the cabin.

That should make long-distance journeys considerably more relaxing, particularly given the Pajero’s intended ability to travel between cities and remote off-road destinations.

The result is a vehicle that appears to occupy a space between traditional expedition 4×4 and luxury family SUV.

Mitsubishi Pajero vs Toyota Land Cruiser

The new Pajero’s positioning makes its rivalry with the Toyota Land Cruiser impossible to ignore.

Like the Land Cruiser, the Mitsubishi combines a body-on-frame platform with four-wheel drive and serious off-road hardware. Both vehicles are also moving further upmarket, offering buyers more comfort and technology without abandoning their rugged mechanical foundations.

Mitsubishi’s decision to revive the Pajero name therefore makes strategic sense. The company already has a strong heritage in off-road vehicles, while the Pajero’s motorsport history gives it an identity that few competitors can replicate.

The challenge will be convincing buyers that the revived Pajero deserves to stand alongside established models such as the Land Cruiser.

Toyota has spent decades building its reputation for durability and global off-road capability. Mitsubishi, meanwhile, can point to decades of Pajero experience and an impressive Dakar Rally record.

Could the Pajero Return to the UK as a Shogun?

The biggest question for British buyers is whether the new Pajero will actually be sold in the UK.

Mitsubishi has not yet confirmed a UK launch, but the fact that the new SUV is being developed in right-hand-drive form keeps the possibility alive.

The timing could also work in its favour.

Mitsubishi relaunched in the UK earlier this year, and a flagship model with the heritage of the Pajero could provide the brand with a valuable halo vehicle. A genuine Land Cruiser rival would give Mitsubishi something distinctive to showcase as it attempts to rebuild its presence in the British market.

The Pajero could also have another potential role in the UK: commercial workhorse.

Could a Pajero Commercial Become the New Shogun Workhorse?

A van-style version without the rear seats could appeal to farmers, tradespeople and other buyers who need genuine off-road capability rather than an SUV that merely looks rugged.

That market is already being targeted by Toyota with its Land Cruiser Commercial. By separating passenger and commercial versions, Toyota has effectively repositioned the conventional Land Cruiser as a more premium lifestyle vehicle while retaining a stripped-back work-oriented model for professional users.

A similar strategy could make sense for Mitsubishi.

The previous Shogun developed a particularly strong following among rural users, including farmers, thanks to its combination of four-wheel-drive capability, durability and practicality. A modern Pajero Commercial could therefore revive an important part of the model’s traditional customer base.

Strong Used Shogun Values Show the Name Still Matters

There is another reason Mitsubishi could be tempted to bring the Pajero back to Britain: demand for used Shoguns remains surprisingly strong.

Older examples can still command substantial prices on the second-hand market, with decade-old vehicles regularly changing hands for more than £20,000.

That is an important signal for Mitsubishi. It suggests that the Pajero name still carries significant recognition among British buyers, particularly those who remember the Shogun as one of the country’s most capable large 4x4s.

A new Pajero could therefore appeal not only to customers discovering the name for the first time, but also to former Shogun owners looking for a modern replacement that retains the same basic philosophy.

When Will the New Mitsubishi Pajero Go on Sale?

The new Mitsubishi Pajero will launch first in Thailand, where the vehicle is manufactured.

Australia and Japan are scheduled to receive the new 4×4 by March 2027. A UK launch has yet to be confirmed, although the availability of a right-hand-drive version means British-market sales remain a realistic possibility.

European availability will ultimately depend on Mitsubishi’s wider product strategy, regulatory requirements and the business case for bringing the Pajero to additional markets.

The Pajero Is Back—and It Has a Point to Prove

The return of the Mitsubishi Pajero is significant because the company has resisted the temptation to turn its legendary 4×4 into just another soft-roading crossover.

Instead, the new Pajero retains the fundamentals that made its predecessors famous: body-on-frame construction, generous ground clearance, four-wheel drive and a powerful diesel engine.

What has changed is everything around those fundamentals.

The new Pajero is larger, more sophisticated and substantially more luxurious, with seven seats, advanced chassis technology, ventilated seating, three-zone climate control and a premium Yamaha audio system.

That makes the revived Pajero an intriguing proposition in a market increasingly dominated by expensive SUVs that prioritize road manners and technology over genuine off-road capability.

If Mitsubishi brings the new Pajero to the UK, it could become one of the most interesting new 4x4s of 2027—and potentially the first serious challenger to the Toyota Land Cruiser from Mitsubishi in years.

For a brand seeking a stronger identity, few names could provide a better halo than Pajero.

Source: Mitsubishi

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Mitsubishi Wants Robots on the Assembly Line—And It Plans to Build Them Itself

If you’ve ever wondered when humanoid robots would stop being science fiction and start clocking in for factory shifts, Mitsubishi Motors believes that moment is closer than you might think. The Japanese automaker has announced a partnership with robotics startup Highlanders to develop AI-powered humanoid robots for its own manufacturing plants—a move that could reshape not only how Mitsubishi builds cars, but also how the automotive industry thinks about factory automation.

Unlike many manufacturers that simply purchase robotic systems from outside suppliers, Mitsubishi is taking a far more ambitious route. The company is co-developing the robots with Highlanders and plans to manufacture them in-house by repurposing unused facilities at its Kyoto engine plant. Production is expected to begin as early as 2027, with an initial target of 1,000 robots per month.

That makes this more than just another robotics announcement. It’s a strategic bet that the future workforce won’t be entirely human.

A Response to Japan’s Labor Crunch

Japan’s aging population and persistent labor shortages have forced manufacturers to rethink how they build everything from automobiles to electronics. Mitsubishi sees humanoid robots as a practical solution rather than a futuristic experiment, allowing production lines to remain flexible while helping alleviate staffing shortages across its operations.

Initially, these AI-powered workers won’t be tackling the most complex jobs. Instead, they’ll transport components across the factory floor, assist with engine assembly, and perform repetitive tasks that traditionally consume countless hours of human labor. If the robots prove dependable, Mitsubishi says it could eventually offer them to other manufacturers, effectively turning itself into a supplier of industrial robotics alongside automobiles.

That’s a fascinating twist. Mitsubishi isn’t just looking to automate its factories—it could be laying the groundwork for an entirely new business.

Building Robots Like Cars

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the announcement is Mitsubishi’s decision to manufacture the robots itself. The company plans to leverage its existing automotive production expertise and supply chain, applying decades of experience in large-scale manufacturing to humanoid robotics.

CEO Takao Kato believes the automotive industry already possesses many of the tools needed to accelerate robot development. Production lines that handle everything from precision welding to sophisticated logistics have created a manufacturing ecosystem that’s uniquely suited to producing advanced humanoid machines.

“Our collaboration with Highlanders is a challenge aimed at building a new industrial base in which humans and robots work together,” Kato said. He added that using the robots within Mitsubishi’s own facilities will help the company refine both the technology and its broader robotics business before considering commercial sales.

It’s a logical approach. If you trust a robot to build your engines, you’ll probably feel more confident selling that same robot to someone else.

Humans and Robots—Not Humans or Robots

One question inevitably hangs over any discussion of humanoid robots: Are they coming for people’s jobs?

Mitsubishi is careful to avoid that narrative. The company repeatedly emphasizes that its vision centers on collaboration rather than replacement, describing a future in which humans and robots work side by side. Whether that balance remains intact over the long term is impossible to predict, but for now the messaging is clear—robots are intended to supplement an increasingly scarce workforce, not eliminate it.

Given Japan’s demographic realities, that argument carries more weight than it might elsewhere.

An Industry-Wide Race

Mitsubishi claims its memorandum of understanding with Highlanders marks the first collaboration between an automaker and a humanoid robotics company specifically aimed at mass production. While several major manufacturers have already begun experimenting with humanoid robots on factory floors, Mitsubishi’s vertically integrated strategy stands apart.

For a company that has struggled to keep pace with larger rivals in several global markets, investing in emerging technologies could provide an unexpected competitive advantage. Even if the robots never become a standalone business, improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing labor constraints could help strengthen Mitsubishi’s long-term position.

Whether customers will someday buy a Mitsubishi-built humanoid robot alongside an Outlander remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the factory of the future is beginning to take shape, and it may have as many robotic coworkers as human ones.

Source: Mitsubishi

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Mitsubishi Pajero Returns From the Dead

After years of rumors, false starts, and wishful thinking from off-road enthusiasts, Mitsubishi has finally made it official: the Pajero is coming back.

The Japanese automaker has released the first teaser of an all-new Pajero, confirming the return of one of the most accomplished names in four-wheel-drive history. Better yet, Mitsubishi says the SUV will once again carry the Montero badge in certain markets—a detail that immediately raises the possibility of a North American comeback.

For a company that has spent the better part of the last decade leaning on the Outlander for relevance, reviving the Pajero nameplate is a statement of intent.

The new SUV won’t be a direct successor to the independent-bodied Pajero that bowed out in 2021. Instead, it rides on the same ladder-frame architecture as the Triton pickup, placing it mechanically closer to today’s Pajero Sport. Mitsubishi insists, however, that this isn’t merely a pickup-based SUV with a familiar badge attached.

According to the company, the new flagship benefits from model-specific cabin development as well as unique front and rear suspension tuning. Mitsubishi promises a blend of “outstanding off-road capability” and a “refined and comfortable ride”—the kind of language that suggests the engineers are targeting the sweet spot occupied by vehicles such as the Toyota Land Cruiser and Ford Everest.

The teaser image itself doesn’t reveal much beyond a dramatic lighting signature. T-shaped LED elements stretch outward from a prominent Mitsubishi emblem, creating a futuristic interpretation of the brand’s current design language. Interestingly, the lighting arrangement differs from a prototype Mitsubishi previewed back in January, though that discrepancy could simply reflect camouflage, trim-level variations, or ongoing development changes.

Spy photographers have already captured heavily disguised test vehicles, and those images paint a clearer picture. The proportions are unmistakably traditional SUV: upright greenhouse, squared-off bodywork, and muscular fenders wrapped around a wide stance. If Mitsubishi wanted people to compare it with the Land Cruiser, it probably couldn’t have designed a more effective silhouette.

The company describes the newcomer as a “cross-country SUV” and openly positions it as its global flagship. That places it comfortably above the unibody Outlander and signals Mitsubishi’s desire to re-establish itself in a segment where authenticity still matters.

Timing also feels deliberate. Demand for rugged body-on-frame SUVs continues to surge worldwide, with buyers increasingly gravitating toward vehicles that project genuine adventure credentials rather than crossover styling cues. Toyota has found enormous success with the reborn Land Cruiser, while competitors from Ford, Nissan, and Isuzu continue to expand their off-road portfolios.

Mitsubishi now wants back into that conversation.

And few nameplates carry the credentials to make a convincing case. First introduced in 1982, the Pajero was engineered to combine serious four-wheel-drive capability with passenger-car comfort—an ambitious formula at the time. Across four generations, the model sold more than 3.25 million units in over 170 countries and established itself as one of the most successful off-road vehicles ever built.

Its motorsport résumé is even more impressive. The Pajero dominated the Dakar Rally for decades, collecting a record 12 overall victories and cementing its reputation as one of the toughest production-based SUVs on the planet.

Whether the new generation can live up to that legacy remains to be seen. What is clear is that Mitsubishi is betting heavily on the return of one of its greatest hits.

We’ll get the full picture when the covers come off in autumn 2026. Until then, the message from Mitsubishi is unmistakable: the Pajero is back, and it intends to matter.

Source: Mitsubishi