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Mitsubishi Pajero Timeline 1982-2026: Dakar Legend to 2026 Revival

The Mitsubishi Pajero is a cross-country SUV built from 1982 to 2021 across four generations, famous for pairing serious four-wheel-drive capability with passe…

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FIRST GENERATION

The original Pajero launches

Mitsubishi launched the first Pajero in 1982 as a short-wheelbase three-door on a ladder-frame architecture, combining rough-road capability with passenger-car comfort.…

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DAKAR DEBUT

Mitsubishi enters the Paris-Dakar Rally

Just one year after launch, Mitsubishi entered the Pajero at the Paris-Dakar Rally, initially winning the production category. It was the start of a factory program that…

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FIRST OVERALL WIN

Patrick Zaniroli wins the Dakar outright

Patrick Zaniroli won the rally outright in a Mitsubishi Pajero, with Mitsubishi taking a 1-2 finish. It was the first Dakar overall victory for a Japanese manufacturer,…

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SECOND GENERATION

Super Select 4WD arrives

The second-generation Pajero introduced Super Select 4WD, combining part-time and full-time 4WD characteristics with selectable 2WD, full-time 4WD, locked 4WD and low ra…

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MOTORSPORT HISTORY

Kenjiro Shinozuka wins the Dakar

Kenjiro Shinozuka won the Dakar outright in a Mitsubishi Pajero, becoming the first Japanese driver to win the event overall. Mitsubishi finished 1-2-3-4. The collectibl…

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THIRD GENERATION

Pajero switches to built-in-frame monocoque

The third-generation Pajero abandoned the traditional separate ladder frame for a built-in-frame monocoque body, for lower weight, greater rigidity, a lower centre of gr…

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DAKAR DYNASTY

Seven consecutive Dakar victories

Mitsubishi won the Dakar Rally outright seven years running, bringing the Pajero and Montero total to 12 overall victories by 2007. Mitsubishi describes the streak as un…

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FOURTH GENERATION

The final original-era Pajero

The fourth generation was a mature evolution of the built-in-frame architecture with SS4-II, stability and traction control, improved engines and more premium equipment.…

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PRODUCTION ENDS

Overseas Pajero production stops

Japanese-market sales ended in 2019 with a Final Edition; overseas production ended in 2021, closing a roughly 39-year run. There is no single stated cause: aging archit…

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THE REVIVAL

All-new Pajero world premiere

Unveiled on 2 September 2026 as Mitsubishi's new-generation flagship: a ladder frame derived from the Triton with Pajero-specific tuning, a 2.4L clean diesel with up to…

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