Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
(MMC) has launched the all new Pajero Sport in India. With subtle face lifted
changes to the exterior and interior, the 4X2 Pajero Sport will be available
with an automatic transmission priced at Rs.23.55 lakh and a 4X4 manual
transmission for Rs.25.80 lakh. Both prices are ex-showroom Delhi.
Powered by the same 2.5litre
turbo diesel engine as the previous Pajero Sport, it is now mated to an all new
5-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters with sport mode. The engine
produces 175bhp but in the automatic it produces 350Nm of torque and when mated
to the 5-speed manual transmission it gives 400Nm. The automatic transmission
is only available as a 4x2. If you want a full blown 4x4, the manual
transmission package does exactly that.
Some of the noticeable changes
on the exterior are the new chrome front grille, newly shaped front bumpers
with fog lamps and built-in turn indicators on the ORVMs. On the interior the
Pajero Sport comes with a Multi-info System or MID which provides the driver
vital information on the fly like average speed, average fuel consumption,
likely driving distance, an electronic compass, outside air temperature and
altitude all of which will come handy on the rugged adventures this beast is
built for.
Mitsubishi have also hiked the
prices of the manual transmission variant from the previous model by Rs.30,000
as of the launch. Both cars have been available for pre-bookings since November
5th, 2014.
Mitsubishi in collaboration
with Hindustan Motors will manufacture the Pajero Sport at the Hindustan Motors
Finance Corporation Limited (HMFCL) facility in Chennai. The plant consists of
a capacity of 12,000 units a year where the company also produces commercial
vehicles for SML Isuzu.
Uttam Bose Managing Director
of Hindustan Motors pointed out that the capacity utilisation at the plant is
around 60pc so there is enough head room to utilize at this point. MMC had
stated their new strategy in February of 2014 for the future plans for India
with the ‘New Stage 2016’. The New Stage 2016 stated that Mitsubishi’s vision
for the Indian market was to concentrate on SUV models and try and focus on
localization of production even further. Bose concluded by saying that
saloon/sedans are not a priority at the moment. But when the demand and
feasibility beckons, the company may consider it as viable model range option
for India.