focusinterview.
M I T S U B I S H I
P A J E R O
THIS MONTH THE SMUG TEST DRIVES THE 2016 MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT 2.4 L TURBO DIESEL GLX (AUTO), COURTESY OF JOHN OXLEY MOTORS ON HASTINGS RIVER DRIVE, PORT MACQUARIE.
“The Smug”
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his month the boss lady from FOCUS requested the Smug test out the new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and report back asap. I was onto it. No sweat. The first impressions are that the new Pajero Sport looks and feels like a classy high-end four-wheel-drive with good ground clearance and sturdy yet sleek chasis, built for the off-road. The new Pajero has some size, bulk and in turn, stature about itself from the outside but once you take your seat inside, it’s a comfortable and spacious interior and presents more like a family sedan than a rugged off-roader. Formerly known as the Challenger, the 2016 Pajero Sport has some new and key features that warrant a new name, including the impressive 8 speed Auto, paddle shift gear selector on the steering wheel and a range of off road settings to deal with any surface or conditions. Making it very easy for the driver, the turn-dial four-wheel-drive selector located politely in the centre console allows twowheel drive, 4WD high and low as well as specific options for driving on gravel, mud, snow and rock. Researching other reviews on the Pajero Sport, there is general consensus that this new edition is a genuine performer off-road. My drive consisted of mainly the bumps 96 greater port macquarie focus.
and pot holes around Port Macquarie, which 3,100 kg or 750 kg unbraked, anywhere you on its day can warrant the use of a fourwant to go. wheel-drive. But I digress. The drive was In the technology department we have excellent around town and was really quite nothing less than cruise control, push button smooth, grippy and responsive. Again, it start, smart key, smartphone connectivity, drove more like a large family car rather rear view and overhead view cameras than a large off-roader. displaying a crisp image on a The turning circle on the very tidy 7 inch touchscreen new Pajero Sport is, from in dash display. what I can see, a top It’s hard to believe, The 133 kW and of its class 11.2 mebut the fuel effi0 42 very strong tres, which is really ciency of the Sport e or Nm engine is m r quite impressive for is a measly 8.0 L fo te than adequa , ng di in this type of vehicle per 100 km. This gr d pulling an ga lu n ca t as and is just one of a solid performance be is and th or 750 number of standis a good indication braked 3, 100 kg here yw an , out features. of both the overall kg unbraked Clearly, safety was re-design and best you want to go.” a key concern and use of modern technolfocus for Mitsubishi, with ogy that Mitsubishi has multiple airbags on board employed to deliver this crisp including curtain, dash and even new offering. driver’s knee bags. To go with, the McFor me, there wasn’t anything that Massive list of safety technology across I immediately saw that I could say “Oh, the whole vehicle including but not limthey should have included that in the mix”, ited to - ABS, EBD, ASC, ATC, TSA, HSA, RISE as even the base model GLX has more bells (body), ELR and ESS. I just saved you three and whistles than most new cars getting paragraphs of reading by summarising those around these days. little beauties - you’re welcome. Overall, a very tidy offering from MitsubThe 133 kW and very strong 420 Nm ishi, and I’m sure this model will be quite engine is more than adequate for pulling and popular with a wide audience for both on grinding, and this beast can lug a braked and off road excursions.
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SNAPSHOT ENGINE & GEARS - 2.4 L Turbo Diesel (Auto) BODY - 4X4 Wagon, 5 seats, large boot storage area suitable for two more seats. SAFETY - 5 Star ANCAP Safety Rating. FUEL - 2.4 L Turbo Diesel with combined 8.0 litres per 100 km. RANGE - GLX (Very Nice), GLS (Fancy Pants) and EXCEED (even Fancier).
FAST FACTS Replaces the earlier model Mitsubishi Challenger Has an impressive 11.2 m turning circle Includes upgraded popular and sturdy Triton engine Multiple off-road drive options to suit any conditions Massive boot space to fit the camping gear including the barbecue 8 Speed Auto transmission