The Pajero returned with a September 2, 2026 world premiere — seven years after the Japan-spec model ended. Here is every claim we track about it, sorted by how solid it is, each with its source and date.
The all-new Pajero was revealed on September 2, 2026. Powertrain, dimensions and rollout are now official; Japanese pricing, grades and order timing remain unannounced.
The new Pajero has its world premiere in autumn 2026 — returning to Japan seven years after Japan-spec production ended in 2019 (overseas production continued to 2021).
It is built on a modified version of the Triton pickup's ladder frame, with a model-specific cabin and bespoke front and rear suspension.
It runs S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control), Mitsubishi's integrated vehicle dynamics system, with a suspension design aimed at keeping wheels grounded off-road and reducing vibration on broken pavement.
The interior adopts a rally-heritage triple multi-meter, reinterpreted with next-generation digital expression per the official teaser.
The world premiere is September 2, 2026 — confirmed by Mitsubishi's own teaser site on August 24, validating what Best Car had reported from dealer sources.
It is diesel-powered: a newly developed 2.4-liter clean diesel with a wide-range single VG turbo, 480 Nm (470 Nm on some specs), paired with a new 8-speed automatic — confirmed at the world premiere after Best Car first reported a diesel.
Super Select 4WD-II carries over with four transfer modes (2H/4H/4HLc/4LLc), layered with S-AWC and seven drive modes (Normal/Eco/Gravel/Snow/Mud/Sand/Rock).
Dimensions: 4,920 × 1,925 × 1,910 mm on a 2,870 mm wheelbase; 230 mm ground clearance; approach/departure/breakover 30.4°/25.8°/22.6°; 3-row, 7-passenger cabin.
Built in Thailand. Rollout: Thailand, Japan and Australia in FY2026, then about 100 countries from FY2027 (ASEAN, Latin America, Middle East).
The heritage triple meter returns as a digital Multi-Meter inside a 14.3-inch display (12.3-inch on some specs), using GPS and gyro data, with 16 switchable background themes.
A Ralliart-liveried Pajero show car was displayed at the world premiere next to the AXCR-winning Triton — overfenders, 285/60R18 all-terrain tires, red skid plates, snorkel. Mitsubishi calls it a reference exhibit based on the production model, not a competition build.
First public display opened September 5 at Mitsubishi's Tamachi headquarters showroom (no reservation needed). The car shown is a Thai-spec reference vehicle; no quotes or orders are being taken.
Team director Hiroshi Masuoka — twice a Dakar winner in a Pajero — voiced a "big dream and goal" of a third straight AXCR title with the new Pajero. His personal ambition, not an announced entry plan.
A Team Mitsubishi Ralliart driver noted the Pajero's wheelbase is 260 mm shorter than the Triton's — an advantage on tight AXCR-style sections. An AXCR entry remains under evaluation; nothing is announced.
President Kishiura told Best Car Web he wants the new Pajero in AXCR next year and eventually Dakar (a base car already exists), while WRC remains pre-study: no formal internal evaluation yet, and Mitsubishi would first need a volume-production model suited as a WRC base.
President Keisuke Kishiura told Yomiuri the Pajero will become a series (with smaller SUV variants under study), and told Nikkei a hybrid large off-roader is planned by FY2031 with the Pajero a candidate. Interview reporting, not a product announcement.
Best Car Web and Mynavi News report a Japanese launch schedule: official domestic announcement October 29, on sale December 17, with orders opening October 1 and a FY2026 global production/sales target of 10,000 units. Not yet confirmed by Mitsubishi.
Best Car's editorial estimate puts pricing between the mid-¥5 million range and ¥7 million. Pure speculation at this point.
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