Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution

Is there a more purposeful off-roader than the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution?

This example was imported from Japan by ourselves in 2023. Muscular from every angle, this 4x4 deserves a place in any enthusiast's collection...

Mitsubishi produced 2,059 examples with the automatic gearbox and 634 with the rarer 5 speed manual specification like the example we have here. Rarer still this is just 1 of 295 manual versions finished in Satellite Silver (A69F). It has covered 79,320 miles since 1998.

The Pajero Evolution is famed for being entered into the gruelling Dakar Rally, meaning road legal homologation specials had to be produced... Some of the most special cars have been created out of motorsport and the Pajero Evo is no exception!

If you didn’t know already, the Pajero won the Dakar event an astonishing twelve times between 1985 and 2007. Within that, the Pajero Evo which was entered into the T2 class achieved victory in 1997 & 1998, even beating the supposedly faster competitors in the T3 class. Mitsubishi definitely fulfilled their target of winning the toughest endurance event on the planet!

If you had to sum up this weapon, it would be ‘built for purpose’. Trust us when we say you’re going to get noticed in this!

Under the bonnet you’ll find a 3.5-litre 24-valve DOHC V6 with Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control (MIVEC). A dual plenum variable intake also helped increase power, plus new independent rear suspension & front coil wishbones made the ride more compliant… handy when racing through the Sahara Desert.

The V6 sounds tremendous, particularly in this example thanks to a Fujitsubo exhaust system thats been fitted, giving a gorgeously deep, raspy bellow!

With the choices of 2WD/4WD high range or 4WD low range, thanks to a central locking differential you should be covered for most situations. With power going to the rear wheels alone (2WD), it can be a lot of fun on a loose surface… However, stick it in 4WD and the results are seriously impressive! No wheel spin, hooking up with immediate grip and away it goes, showing what it was really designed to do.

For a late 90’s 4X4, performance is impressive - Although rumours suggest it has more like 300bhp, officially the “Gentlemen's Agreement” states a power figure of 276 bhp/256 lb-ft. It’ll do 0-60 in 7.6 secs and achieve a top speed of 130 mph. The awesome thing is that it will do that everywhere on any surface of your choosing.

Skid plates and a reinforced frame helps this beast with the roughest of terrain and harshest of impacts, like we said ‘built for purpose’.

Visually, this isn’t your regular SUV. You can tell it’s a Homologation special with the bespoke, wide arched, 3dr body, vents & spoiler. The short-wheelbase proportions are awesome, with such little overhang at the front, approach angles are insane!

In the cockpit you get a cool set of Recaro bucket seats. Swing open the rear door and you’re treated to some lovely motorsport authenticity with an original tool set hidden in a small compartment within the door card.

Being a rugged 4X4, some may not associate it with the JDM halo cars, but the crux of it is that this rare model really is something truly special!

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