The Mitsubishi Pajero is actually a sport utility vehicle manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors. It was named after Leopardus pajeros, the Pampas Cat and that is native to the Patagonia plateau region of southern Argentina. However, since pajero is definitely an offensive term for "wanker" in Spanish, alternative names have always been with regard to many markets overseas. It's called the Mitsubishi Montero (meaning "mountain warrior") in Spain, India, and also the Americas (excepting Brazil), and as Mitsubishi Shogun in england. .

As a result of their success, the Pajero, Montero and Shogun names were also put on to other, mechanically unrelated models, like Pajero Mini kei car, the Pajero Junior and Pajero iO/Pinin mini SUVs, as well as the Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero/Shogun Sport. Main rivals will be the Land Rover Discovery, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SWB/LWB and Nissan Patrol.

The very first Pajero prototype was launched at the Tokyo Motor Show in November 1973. The Pajero II prototype followed in 1978, five years later. Mitsubishi’s aim ended up being create even more of a recreational vehicle, not just an SUV.

In January 1983, the very first Pajero made its debut at all the Paris Dakar Rally, taking first place in 1985 of them costing only the third attempt. A long way, the Pajero is successful vehicle in the Dakar Rally. This not only gave the Pajero an offroad reputation, but also helped contained in the sales department.

The first generation made its debut at all the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1981, and was launched in May 1982. Initially, it had been a three-door, short-wheelbase model available that has a metal or canvas top and three different engines options:

It has been loaded with features that had previously not been seen on a Japanese four-wheel-drive car: a turbocharged diesel engine, a front double wishbone suspension with torsion bar springs, power steering and suspension seats. This made the Pajero a four-wheel-drive vehicle which integrated all the amenities of a passenger car.

In January 1983, easy to access year following its launch, mildly tuned production Pajeros entered the world of motor sport.

The Pajero, however, still did not appeal to everyone. It turned out seen as being a commercial vehicle, and since it was only available in a short-wheelbase form, it didn’t really appeal to the individuals with families.

Therefore, in February 1983, Mitsubishi announced a long-wheelbase, five-door model, to serve the requirements of a larger target market. The long-wheelbase model was available with a choice of two different engines; a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol (badged as "2.0 Turbo" and "2000 Turbo" in some markets) and also a 2.3 liter turbocharged diesel (badged as 2.3 TD or 2300 TD). In addition, it came in Standard, Semi-High Roof and High Roof body styles. A stripped down nine-seater variant associated with the High-Roof version was widely used in UN Peace Operations.

The long-wheelbase model also improved seating capacity to 7, with available 3rd row seats, that are folded to the sides for lots more trunk space or combined with second row seats to create a bed.

The Pajero was further refined in June 1984. The turbo diesel engines now had increased power/torque ratings, whilst the long-wheelbase models got basic four-wheel disc brakes and four-way adaptable shock absorbers as normal equipment.

A new flagship model ended up being introduced at the begining of 1987, which has a two-tone paintjob, thirty-eight cm light alloy wheels, front-seat heaters, woolen seat covers, real leather headrests, a three spoke steering wheel and a sound system with radio/cassette. Also in 1987, a version associated with the Pajero/Montero was rebadged by Dodge as the Raider, which ran through 1989.

Ultimately in 1988, a 3.0-litre SOHC V6 engine was made readily available, along with a 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine, aided by the first 4x4 intercooler. This translated to better acceleration in mid to high rev ranges. The long-wheelbase models got a coil link suspension system for improved ride comfort and 4WD capability.

It had been available by using a 3-door body for a short wheelbase (SWB) or even a 5-door body for a long-wheelbase (LWB). Engines included a 2.6 L I4 with 82 kW (110 hp/112 PS), a 3.0 L V6 with EFI and 104 kW (139 hp/141 PS) and also a turbocharged 2.5 L OHV diesel I4 with 62 kW (83 hp/84 PS) or an intercooled 70 kW (94 hp/95 PS). Part-time four-wheel drive was standard on all models.

The First Generation platform was later built under license by Hyundai Precision Products as the Hyundai Galloper from 1991 to 2003, and exported to Europe for a brief time. While it used first generation running gear, the Galloper's body was nearer to the 2nd generation Pajeros.

Mitsubishi sold over more than 200 thousand Pajeros in nineteen eighty nine and 1990. However, the time for a redesign was long due and January 1991 saw the very first GEN 2 Pajero, although exports did not commence until later. Just about everything was now improved. A new, wider body was you can get in four different versions; Metal Top, Canvas Top Convertible, Semi High Roof Wagon and High Roof Wagon (long wheelbase). The short wheelbase models were stretched by 70 millimeters (2.8 inches) and therefore the long-wheelbase models by 30 millimeters (1.2 inches). The available engines included a 3.0 liter 12-valve SOHC with ECI-Multi electronic fuel injection in addition to a 2.5 liter turbocharged diesel engine with an intercooler.

The second generation also saw the creation of Super Select 4WD (SS4) and multiple mode ABS, which were firsts on Japanese four-wheel drives. SS4 was ground-breaking in the sense that it matched although you are part time and full-time four-wheel drive with 4 available options: 2H (high-range rear-wheel drive), 4H (high-range continuous 4WD), 4HLc (high-range 4WD with locked centre differential gear) and 4LLc (low-range four-wheel drive with locked center differential). Another advantage of this second generation set up is that it gave the driving force be able to shift between two-wheeled drive and continuous 4WD at speeds up to 100 km/h , whereas the very first generation Pajero were required to be stationary to switch from rear-wheel drive to four-wheel drive (but not from four-wheel drive in order to rear-wheel drive). Multimode ABS, really, was equally innovative. This meant Advance Breaking System could well be fully working in all modes of SS4, as braking which includes a locked center diff requires different braking ranges.

In July 1993, two new power plants were introduced; a 3.5 liter 24-valve DOHC with ECI-Multi as well as a 2.8 liter turbocharged diesel with an intercooler. A new, larger transmission and transfer case was also section of the upgrade.

The Pajero Evolution has been around since October 1997, that had been developed as a result to new entry requirements for the Paris - Dakar Rally’s T3 Class. The Pajero Evolution came standard which includes a 3.5 liter 24-valve DOHC V6 with Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control (MIVEC). A new, dual plenum variable intake helped enhance power and a new suspension made the drive smoother.

In 1998, vehicles headed for General Export and therefore the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council countries) received a renovation. Bigger fenders, new headlights, grille, bumper, fog lights and sidesteps were included in the redesign. The wide fenders are usually called "blister flare fenders". Driver and front-passenger SRS airbags were made common on models well suited for the 3.5 liter DOHC V6 engine, whilst still remaining optional on GLS models with the 3.0 liter SOHC V6. An upgraded interior wood trim was made available on 3.0 liter GLS and 3.5 liter models. A leather-wrapped or leather and wood trim steering wheel seemed to be made available, alongside an upgraded suspension and steering system. The 3.0 liter 12-valve SOHC engine was you can buy with a 24-valve configuration. Models without wide fenders remained as base models (GLX), available by using a 2.4 liter 16-valve DOHC engine, producing 110 kW. The 3.0 liter 12-valve engine was optional on these GLX models, and remained the base engine on the GLS.

The gen ii was presented on January 22, 1991 and manufactured until 1999. It retained the two body makes, but style was rounder and much more city-friendly than the first sort heavy model. The THREE LITRE V6 gasoline engine was retained, now available which has a 24-valve head, capable of 136 kW (177 hp/185 PS), while the 2.5 turbodiesel's power was slightly increased to 73 kW. In 1993, the Pajero was slightly restyled, and larger engines were introduced, a 3.5 L V6 with 153 kW (215 hp/208 PS) in addition to a 2.8 L SOHC turbodiesel rated at 92 kW (123 hp/125 PS). These versions introduced Mitsubishi's Super Select four-wheel-drive system (generally known as Active-Trac in the United States), with an electronic digital transfer shift that could split power between both axles without having to stop the car. It worked at speeds as much as 100 km/h (62 mph).

The very first generation Pajero was also marketed as the Hyundai Galloper in Korea, Europe and GCC Countries, while the 2nd generation was in production in other places.

This model Pajero remains in production in India as the Pajero SFX; the most recent generation is sold as the Montero. While in the Philippines it really is marketed as the Pajero "Field Master" 4x2 along with the 2.8L TD engine, alongside the fourth generation Pajero. The 4X4 version was removed from production in 1999. It's also still produced in Colombia from Complete Knock Down parts, with a 2.4l 16 valve SOHC (130 PS) or 3.0l twelve valve V6 (148 PS), both power plants can be obtained to be a 3-door hard top, the 5-door wagon only aided by the 3-litre six.

Designed in house the Gen iii Pajero hit the Japanese Market in 1999, whilst it was made available to other markets in late 2000 as being a 2001 model. The Philippines as well as other developing nations received this gen 3 Pajero in 2003. The passenger truck was completely redesigned, inside and out and was built with a lower, wider stance. A lower centre of gravity meant the Pajero had better on-road handling manners as well as newer body had over three hundred percent more torsional rigidity. The biggest in order to bring this about could be that the Pajero utilized a unibody construction, instead of the previous body-on-frame (box-ladder). This also permitted a longer suspension stroke. The fuel tank have also been relocated to between the axles for better safety. The third steps generation Pajero moved one size up from mid-size to full-size SUV.

The SS4 system seemed to be further refined, as bevel gears were replaced with planetary ones. This meant the front-to-rear torque setting ranged from 33 to 67, while using the ability to get used to 50/50 depending on surface conditions. The system has also been made fully computerized, which implied the vehicle didn’t be in gear to switch between drive modes. After many of the upgrades, the system was renamed to Super Select 4WD II (SS4-II).

Alongside gear steering (rather than the recirculating ball system on previous generations), the Pajero also offered a choice of three transmissions; a five speed manual, a 4 speed INVECS-II automatic transmission as well as a five speed INVECS-II tiptronic.

An all-new 3.8 Liter SOHC 24-valve V6 powerplant have also been introduced on this generation. This engine utilized are just looking for Throttle Valve (ETV), to result in a refined cruising power with power to spare for 4WD ventures.

The gen 3 was introduced on August 2, 1999 and was scheduled to be replaced by the Autumn of 2006, having been re-styled in the year 2003. This was probably the most deluxe of the three generations, moving to some more upscale segment to compete against the Land Rover Discovery, but more importantly, to counter its home rival Toyota Land Cruiser's growth. The 3.0 L engine's power was decreased to 130 kW , as well as the 3 POINT 5 LITRE motor was given gasoline direct injection, increasing power to 162 kW in the Japanese market (export versions kept the standard EFI engine, now with 149 kW (200 hp/203 PS). The 2.8 L Diesel was retained only reserved for developing markets, and was replaced by a new 16-valve direct injection engine, with 3.2 L and 120 kW (161 hp/163 PS).

North American market, the 3.5 L engine was replaced for 2003 by way of a much more powerful 3.8 L unit, with 160 kW (215 hp/218 PS). This engine was later made available to a few export markets along the lines of South America and Australia, whilst it replaced the GDI V6 in the Japanese lineup in 2005. The short wheelbase model will not be easily obtainable in North America, where the Montero could be the only SUV in Mitsubishi's lineup with standard 4WD. In face of falling sales, the Montero was pulled because of the US market after the 2006 model year.

The fourth generation was launched at all the Paris Motor Show on September 30, 2006. New interior and exterior styling were in addition to enhanced safety with dual-stage SRS front airbags or new side-impact and curtain airbags. The Super-Select 4WD II system was retained, accompanied by a much healthier Active Stability & Traction Control (ASTC) system and electronic brakeforce distribution. With skid plates, heavy weight components and 8.7 inches of ground clearance the motor car retains its reputation among the toughest and most capable 4x4s.

The engines were enhanced while using the 3.2 L diesel gaining Common Rail technology, a DPF for cleaner emissions and producing 125 kW and therefore the 3.8 L V6 gaining MIVEC variable valve timing to further improve power to 184 kW .Both engines meet new Euro IV emissions standards. The 3.0 L V6 is retained for the Japanese and GCC markets.