Wednesday 28th November 2012

Spotted: Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution

Harris ponders a small, fast off roader with hints of WRC about it

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Hovering around a few 4x4s for the winter period right now; my old Rangie might finally need some TLC, so I’m keen to give it a rest for the next few months.

The list of alternatives is very, very long, so I won’t bore you with them here, but I’ve stumbled across a few of these Pajero Evolutions and simply cannot make up my mind if they’re cool or utterly distasteful. And, if they’re the latter, do they sit so far into the tasteless category that they travel full circle and become cool?

The perfect winter sled?

Futhermore, I know nothing about these machines. I have never driven one and only ever seen a couple.

This was the era when Mitsubishi was one of the most exciting and talked-about manufacturers and Tommi Mäkinen was dominating the WRC – so surely some of that genius rubbed off on the Pajero Evo?

Of course, back in 1997, 280hp in a small off-roader was highly amusing, but today even a basic 2003 Cayenne S has 340hp, so like every other sector the game has changed significantly.

But a tatty one of these, minus the rear privacy glass and silly roof accoutrements would, I think, make for an excellent winter machine.

I expect to stand corrected, or at the very least be educated about these rare beasties by someone who knows about them.

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MITSUBISHI PAJERO EVOLUTION DAKAR EDITION
Engine: 3,497cc V6
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Power (hp): 276@6500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 256@4000rpm
Weight: 1786kg
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: January 1998
Recorded mileage: 60,000
Price new: Lots of yen
Yours for: £7,995

See the original advert here.

[Erwin1978]

Never knew they excisted, very cool, want 1 now, go for it!

[NISaxoVTR]

Probably an off roady thing, but why does one need three mirrors?

[Liquid Tuna]

8 thousand!!? Is that right?

[Hellbound]

"But a tatty one of these, minus the rear privacy glass and silly roof accoutrements would, I think, make for an excellent winter machine."

Not for me. Needs to have full Ralliart addenda, preferably in white or red and splattered with mud.









You don't get one of these to 'go under the radar' and not risk offending peoples sensibilities. That's what battered old Defender's are for!

[Hellbound]

[markymark1]

I had one and will again one day, absolute brilliant to drive once the mivec kicks in, parts can be an expensive problem. A guy has 2 for sale on ebay for £9000 the pair if only i had the money and space.

My old car

[rhinochopig]

Isn't the basic Cayenne about a tonne heavier though?

[crispyshark]

i know i probably shouldn't but i really like that....especially the power output!

If it was circa £5k i'd be tempted!

[Hellbound]

markymark1 said:

I had one and will again one day, absolute brilliant to drive once the mivec kicks in, parts can be an expensive problem. A guy has 2 for sale on ebay for £9000 the pair if only i had the money and space.

My old car

Put some rally wheels on it and it would be perfect.

[Pique]

Love it - but 8 grand is lunacy!

[Amirhussain]

markymark1 said:

I had one and will again one day, absolute brilliant to drive once the mivec kicks in, parts can be an expensive problem. A guy has 2 for sale on ebay for £9000 the pair if only i had the money and space.

My old car

That looks nice.

[Krikkit]

Never knew about these cars, definitely want one now. That pic of a white one with the logs above is just

[markoc]

NISaxoVTR said:

Probably an off roady thing, but why does one need three mirrors?

Isn't it a grey import thing...?

[Krikkit]

markoc said:

NISaxoVTR said:

Probably an off roady thing, but why does one need three mirrors?

Isn't it a grey import thing...?

Yep, a parking mirror so you can see where the front wheel/kerb is.

[JamesHayward]

A chap down the road from me used to have one of these. I've always thought it was pretty cool but not enough for me to want one....

[loudlashadjuster]

I knew a few folk that had these back in the day. Fast enough to be fun, but fragile and thirsty, and of course utterly unique at the time.

They look great in a 90s Tonka kinda way, but it would be a brave soul who went into ownership these days without their eyes wide open. 90s Mitsubishis aren't exactly known for their rust-defying powers and there are a LOT of bespoke parts on these cars...

Edited by loudlashadjuster on Wednesday 28th November 12:18

[Matt UK]

Hellbound said:

If I lived in rural Finland, this would be my perfect car.

[Homer J]

Love these cars.

Kind of a Homoligation Special from the days when Mitsubishi won 7 Dakar Rally's with Jutta Klienschmidt and a Japanese driver who's name escapes me now.

[caraddict]

First time I've heard about this car - and instantly stopped thinking turbo Foresters!

Do share driving experiences, I think it looks cool!

[mgv8]

Nice toy be st MPG and expensive to look after 7k seams a lot?