Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

EXTERIOR

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is built on the platform of company’s light pick-up trucks which are sold in bulk in Thailand. In fact, the company designers have lifted the nose structure as it is from its rally car, the Pajero Evo. The Chrome plated vertical bar type front grille is integrated adjacently with the projector beam headlamps which come with a functionality of self-leveling. The fog lamps right under the headlamps is a big turn on. The enormous wheel arches on both sides that have 17×7.5 JJ Alloy wheels; go well with the overall front fascia of the SUV.

Beneath the front bumper, there is plenty of space due to the enlarged ground clearance of 215mm in the SUV. The Japanese auto-major has executed chrome pretty well with certain sections of the SUV like the chrome-plated power door mirrors and door handles strike the right chord and provide a bit of much needed sophistication and plushness to the SUV unlikely of its stony exterior appearance.

Additionally, black roof rails, high-mounted stop lamp at rear, chrome-plated rear license plate garnish, colour-keyed side protector mouldings, etc. are like icing on the cake.

INTERIOR

Ford EcoSport interior match the exterior in every respect. The vehicle is a tall one. The designing of the cabin makes it look more spacious than it is. In spite of the high ground clearance, the car provides adequate headroom for occupants. One of the salient features of Ford EcoSport interior in the top-end models is the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Ford’s latest SYNC 3 system features both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The lower-end models get a similar system, but with a smaller touchscreen measuring 6.5 inches.

You can experience the difference as you enter the Ford EcoSport. Plush seats with high-quality fabric beckon you to have a seat. The height of the cabin is such that you get enough headroom. The driver seat presents an ideal view of the road ahead. A fantastic dashboard with both analogue and digital indicators greets the driver. Adjustable headrests for all rows add to the overall comfort. Infotainment system is compatible with Bluetooth and has adequate connectivity options, like Aux-In and USB. The driver gets immediate reminders like engine malfunction, headlight alert, low fuel warning, fasten seatbelt warning, and key off alerts. Different indicators like fuel gauge and distance to fuel empty status are welcome additions. Ford EcoSport does not have a big boot, but it is adequate to store your luggage when you go on long trips

ENGINE & PERFORMANCE

Under the bonnet, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has a 2.5-litre, 16-valve, intercooled turbocharged DOHC common-rail DI-D engine which is tuned and tweaked outstandingly well, keeping in mind performance. Although, it is smaller in size but that doesn’t make it any lesser in performance than its contemporaries.It churns a maximum power output of 176bhp at 4000rpm with a peak torque performance of 400Nm at 2000-2500rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox in accordance with a super select 4WD drive system. It is one of the best diesel engines ever developed by the company because of its relentless and effortless performance on both highways and city roads.

Primarily, SUVs are not considered to be fuel efficient vehicles but in recent times, due to ever rising competition, it has emerged out as an equally important ingredient of a vehicle. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport mileage is 12kmpl because of the lighter engine and it seems alright. The fuel economy, in congested roads and heavy traffics, dips down around 9-10kmpl which is okayish, going by the performance and power figures of the SUV.

The SUV might appear a tad lighter than its contemporaries on paper, but it is a real performer. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport catches the 100kmph barrier from standstill in a mere 12.45 seconds which is clinical. The performance is complemented immensely well by the Stabilizer bars equipped Suspension system and Super select 4WD drive system. The diesel mill performs flawlessly on the highways as well as city roads. On the other hand, handling too is quite effortless; owing to the extremely light rack and pinion power assisted steering which comes with a low tilt steering column. It tends to maneuver the SUV swiftly through narrow roads and overcrowded traffic, which is a common phenomenon on Indian roads.

BRAKING AND SAFETY

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, being a heavy SUV, uses company’s advance braking system, operated hydraulically on all the four wheels. It features 16′ ventilated discs as front brakes while the rear ones are are more compact in the form of 16′ ventilated drum-in-discs. Braking system responds instantly due to the presence of a vacuum booster which is installed for extra protection at times of hazardous circumstances. Additionally, there are Antilock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) in accordance with the primary braking system to ensure safe braking and prevent skidding of the SUV.
As far as safety features are concerned, Pajero Sport consists of Dual front SRS airbags for driver and co-passenger. In addition, there is 3-point ELR seat belt, with pre-tensioners and force-limiters, for the front seats while the 2nd row has 3-point ELR seat belt along with a 2-point lap belt, followed by a 3-point ELR seat belt for the 3rd row passengers as well. Apart from the aforementioned safety features, the SUV also carries some significant features like front and rear side door impact bars, RISE body design, electronic immobilizer, crash detection lock door shut down etc. to name a few.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport emerges out to be the ‘Dark Horse’ amidst the SUV segment in India. It seems an underdog but when on road, it is second to none, if performance and power are the requisite criteria of selection. Although, things like awful pricing, small dealership network and absence of 4X4 & AT variants lessen its fire-power but still it whizzes past its rivals in style and grace!