RE: Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution: Spotted

RE: Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution: Spotted

Wednesday 15th August 2018

Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution: Spotted

You know what's better than a current compact SUV? A Mitsubishi rally homologation special, that's what



They say Dakar Rally is the toughest motor race on the planet. The gruelling 14-stage event challenges drivers and riders in cars, bikes and trucks to travel more than 5,500 miles along the west coast of South America, crossing three borders and traversing desert terrain in temperatures you could boil (and sometimes freeze) an egg in. Such a task requires two things: a fearless (and slightly mad) driver, and a purpose-built rally machine.

Back in 1997 Mitsubishi’s answer to the latter was based on the Pajero, also known as the Shogun because the other name is quite naughty in Spanish (we'll leave you to Google it) and so couldn’t be used in Europe or any Spanish-speaking countries. The Dakar-spec Pajero faced a slightly different route to today’s racers, namely because the rally it competed in actually started in Dakar (it moved to South America in 2008 after a terrorist threat), before circling around the northwest wing of Africa to include Niger and the Ténéré desert. But the challenge was much the same as today: hot, gruelling and only possible in vehicles developed specifically for this type of off-road abuse.


To prepare the Pajero for the Dakar Rally, Mitsubishi’s engineers therefore had to extensively modify it. The rules for the T2 class it competed in dictated that competition cars had to be based on a production vehicle that Joe Public could buy, so Mitsubishi set about producing a limited run homologation special called the Pajero Evolution. It came in beefed-up Dakar specification to form a strong base for the competition vehicle to build on.

At a glance, the addition of underbody protection and mudguards were the clearest signals of its Dakar talents. But look closer and you’ll notice that the 4x4 had gained an aluminium bonnet to save weight and muscular wheel arches to cover widened tracks, which grew substantially by 125mm (front) and 110mm (rear). Two Torsen limited-slip differentials (one for each axle) were also added, while suspension travel was lengthened to 240mm at the front and 270mm at the rear, giving the car sufficient spring length to handle the numerous jumps of Dakar.

Matching this beefed-up base was a suitably strong engine: an atmospheric 3.5-litre V6 that used variable valve timing, a unique intake manifold and forged internals. Officially, it was rated at 280hp and 256lb ft, but it’s reckoned the actual outputs were a little higher; some suggest a peak output of 300hp was more likely. No straight-line performance figures were provided for the Pajero Evolution, but owners claim a healthy car should hit 62mph in about eight seconds – not bad going for a naturally aspirated car that weighs almost two tonnes.


Only 2,500 Pajero Evolutions were built and they were never officially imported to Britain, meaning the one advertised here is a rare beast indeed. Chassis number 1566 was recently imported from Japan so, as the seller puts it, has spent most of its life residing “on the salt-free roads of Japan”, which means there's no rust to worry about. It’s covered 52,000 miles so does have a “handful of light blemishes to report”, but mechanically, this car appears to be in great condition. No doubt this has been helped by the regular servicing recorded in its history.

The Dakar Pajero went on to dominate in its class, so each road going example comes with genuine motorsport history and proven capability. This means that at £13,995, our spotted car feels like a pretty good deal to us. Think of it this way, you're getting a proper rally special Mitsubishi for the price of a boggo supermini...


SPECIFICATION - MITSUBISHI PAJERO EVOLUTION

Engine: 3,497cc V6
Transmission: 5-speed auto, 4WD
Power (hp): 280@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 257@3000rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1997
Recorded mileage: 52,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £13,995

See the original advert here.

Author
Discussion

robemcdonald

Original Poster:

8,716 posts

195 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
That is really cool. Surprisingly good value for money considering how rare it is.

Gameface

16,565 posts

76 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
Again?

Only 8 months since the last one

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...

Does anyone ever check anything on here?

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
Gameface said:
Again?

Only 8 months since the last one

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...

Does anyone ever check anything on here?
Usually I'd flag it up, but the Pajero Evo is so awesome I don't care.

Berkut666

55 posts

155 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
While I agree these look awesome, and when given the beans they sound amazing too. I worked for a Ralliart Franchise in the late 90's early 00 and in all honesty these are a massive disappointment to drive on the road. Off road however.....

TonyRPH

12,963 posts

167 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
I'm surprised to see it's an automatic.

I expected a manual gearbox in something like this.

ShoeShop

30 posts

70 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
The amount of people claiming 'no rust' due to a car coming from Japan seems to be very common these days. Has anyone been to Japan? Like lots of countries in the world, some people do live by the seaside. If you park a car anywhere outside for prolonged periods, salt spray will cover the entire car and guess what happens when salty sea water covers a car, week after week? I can tell you: The rust gremlins start to gobble up your car....

One other fact: European cars in Japan (and also in other non European countries), are far more expensive to purchase new there, then they are in Europe. This is mainly due to high taxes. Generally, when someone buys something expensive, they tend to take better care of it. I'd suggest that this is a good portion of the reason why some of the cars from Japan are apparently 'rust free' and in well cared for condition.




Ibmarkprior

46 posts

77 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
Saw a Paj Evo entering the M4 J10 Westbound last week. Either that or it was a replica. So much presence on the road. Very cool.

neil1jnr

1,460 posts

154 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
Gameface said:
Again?

Only 8 months since the last one

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...

Does anyone ever check anything on here?
Usually I'd flag it up, but the Pajero Evo is so awesome I don't care.
And before that

https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features-h...

They must REALLY like this car.

cookie1600

2,094 posts

160 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
Gameface said:
Again?
Does anyone ever check anything on here?
Three times in two and a half years:

https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features-h...

Someone must like them here!

BIRMA

3,803 posts

193 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
Yes it was only a few months ago.
Here's my post then.

BIRMA said:
Wow hasn't the car market gone completely mad price wise. Here's a photo of mine back in 2007 immaculate import 48000 miles on the clock that I paid £7500 for. In it's day it was a fast vehicle.

Just to add I loved it, it wasn't a mud plugger but a dune flyer. I embarrassed many a car at the traffic lights with it.

VTECMFR

214 posts

84 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
That is an interesting beast for sure and the price tag isn't that insane.

Why are people getting so miffed off that Pistonheads have covered this before, I'm not arsed, I missed the previous two articles so I'm glad they did!

bakerstreet

4,755 posts

164 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
Always liked these. Didn't know that their power output was so high. Thats pretty respectable for a 4x4 now, let alone back then. Think the price could be a little optimistic. I remember when these were going for £5k and I was tempted back then. There is a local one round where I live and it makes a pretty impressive noise smile

I owned an import 93 SWB Pajero for about two years. Mine was on a 2in body lift and running some pretty aggressive MT tyres. Took it off road a few times and always performed pretty well.


Pothole

34,367 posts

281 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
Used to see one around E3 back in the 90s. Registration B16EVO. Looked cool amongst the East London traffic

Rusty Gusset

131 posts

238 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
I've owned a manual Paj Evo for two years. Rather than compare to modern SUVs and 4x4s I think it's more akin to a lightweight LR defender but It's short wheel base will bite you with the HP available. It never fails to put a smile on my face.

Al U

2,311 posts

130 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
I don't think the internet is big enough for me to type a list of things I would rather spend £14k on.

Shakermaker

11,317 posts

99 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
The company selling this one talk of having three for sale... So not quite as rare as they want to make out in this ad?

https://www.facebook.com/4StarClassics/


Davie

4,732 posts

214 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
Weirdly, I was at a small charity event on Saturday and a chap turned up with one of these... was slightly uncanny as I had only just been talking about these to a mate a week or so back, pointing out the last time I saw on was back in 99. Awesome things, perfect for assaulting potholed city centres and farm tracks alike.

Dan_1981

17,351 posts

198 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
neil1jnr said:
Krikkit said:
Gameface said:
Again?

Only 8 months since the last one

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...

Does anyone ever check anything on here?
Usually I'd flag it up, but the Pajero Evo is so awesome I don't care.
And before that

https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features-h...

They must REALLY like this car.
Come on Mods. Close the thread and redirect users to the old one.



WCZ

10,492 posts

193 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
getting dejavu here

3yardy3

270 posts

113 months

Wednesday 15th August 2018
quotequote all
Judging by some of the responses on the Renault Clio V6 article... Pistonheads forum members would probably value this car at 60k + ...