More than just mascara
The new, improved Mitsubishi Pajero Sport not only boasts sleek lines, but its tow muscles also got a dose of steroids.
We drove the Pajero Sport a little over three years ago. Now, Mitsubishi has added a third revamped model. The Exceed model is more luxurious and, among other things, includes a sunroof and an electrically operated tailgate. The newcomer has the same engine as the other two.
The vehicle’s nose and tail received lots of attention, and the original analogue clocks are now a digital display. There’s a small graphic representation of a Pajero in the rev counter and when you step on the brakes, the brake lights of the little Pajero graphic glow red as well. Adorable!
Even if your focus isn’t entirely on towing, the Pajero Sport still has plenty to offer. One aspect Mitsubishi seems to be modest about, is the new gearbox. The company describes it as the “All-New 8-Speed Automatic Transmission With Intelligent Shift Control”. When it comes to towing, surely this had a lot to contribute to its dramatically improved towing ability.
How about towing?
The previous two models were limited to a towing weight of 1 800 kg, while the 4x4 model had a tare weight of more than 2 tonnes. That was a limitation we highlighted at the time because, legally, the Pajero should be able to tow more than 1 800 kg.
The new Pajero Sport’s towing capacity has been increased by a third: the limit is now 2 700 kg for all three models, which means you can tow a larger variety of caravans. Yet, there is slight confusion, because if you look at caravans with run-in brakes, you may not hitch that weight to the Pajero. But the vast majority of caravans are equipped with these brakes. The new figure means that
you can consider caravans that are heavier than 1 800 kg, up to a gross vehicle mass of 2 110 kg (the tare weight of the Pajero). It includes road caravans such as Destination’s Magic All Terrain (GVM 2 000 kg), the Octo Chateau (1 890 kg), and the Quantum Pinnacle (1 950 kg).
See the back from the front
The reverse camera display is, of course, a useful tool when you hitch the caravan, but our test vehicle’s display didn’t have dynamic index lines that adjust as you turn the steering wheel. You can see the towbar’s ball on the image, though it’s not at the bottom centre, but instead it’s on the third line to the right. That’s because the lens is mounted 25 cm to the left above the ball – the same as on the previous model. Nevertheless, it still gives you an extra set of eyes behind the vehicle that makes it easier to reverse to the coupler without help.
Also, as with the previous model, the computer doesn’t register when you connect the trailer plug to the vehicle socket, which means the parking sensors annoyingly alert you that you’re about to reverse into something. Fortunately, there’s a button at your right knee to turn off the parking sensors.
A towbar still doesn’t come standard, but if we compare the ones on the two test vehicles, the newer one is scaled down and more in line with what the Pajero may actually tow.
Like before, the towbar is from Bosal, but the previous one was certified for 3 tonnes with a maximum downward weight of 140 kg on the ball. On this model, the figures are 2 790 kg and 120 kg respectively.
What about fuel consumption?
We threw the new Pajero in the deep end and hitched a fairly heavy caravan. The Mobi Lodge hits the scale at 1 660 kg, while the Jurgens Safari Explorer with the previous test weighed 1 480 kg – therefore now 180 kg heavier. The Mobi Lodge’s body is more streamlined, but it’s also larger, so you’d think the 2,4 ℓ engine would be thirstier with the heavier caravan. After our journey between the Cape and George, the odometer showed 1 339 km. The previous test vehicle’s engine had been loosened up and had 13 500 km on the clock.
The previous test was also in the Franschhoek area, but this time, we didn’t include gravel roads, although the test drive itself was 13 km longer: 146 km versus 133 km. The consumption was near identical: 13,7 ℓ/100 km (7,2 km/ℓ) versus the previous figure of 13,8 ℓ/100 km (7,2 km/ℓ). Nothing to complain about then. On the open road and with a fully loaded trailer (GVM 750 kg) and four people in the Pajero, the consumption was 10,9 ℓ/100 km (9,2 km/ℓ).
The fuel warning light goes on when there’s roughly 9 ℓ fuel left in the tank. So, with the caravan you’ll need to refuel within 65 km.
Speaking of enough fuel: Mitsubishi should ideally increase the capacity of the modest 68 ℓ tank to 80 ℓ so the range with the caravan approaches 600 km.
Drive & Camp says The towbar doesn’t come standard and, depending on the specific type, it costs R7 032-R8 408 (excluding installation).