All-new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport debuts in Nigerian market

Sole distributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Nigeria, Massilia Motors Limited, yesterday in Lagos, unveiled the third generation of Pajero Sport with an expectation to capture sales that have been halved by economic downturn.

Though, this is the first time the Sport Utility Vehicle is formally being launched in Nigeria, the distributor was optimistic that the car, which is seeing its first full redesign in seven years, boasts of features that would appeal to Nigerians and lead the mid-size SUV segment in the country.

The company’s Deputy Managing Director, Kunle Jaiyesimi, said the vehicle, expected to sell for N25 million inherited the best of the Mitsubishi DNA with a unique style and comfortable off-road SUV concept.

Jaiyesimi said the seven-seater SUV used both sporty and dynamic elements, setting it apart from conventional SUVs and providing exceptional handling stability, improved suspension and body mounts.

Jaiyesimi, who said the economic situation, particularly the scarcity of foreign exchange affected the organisation’s sale, projected that the company would sell at least 10 pieces of the vehicle per month.

“At Massilia Motors, we are committed to satisfying our customers that is why we have created tailored services for our fleet owners and organised activities such as the Mitsubishi Free checkup week where existing Mitsubishi customers were invited for free diagnosis and discounted spare parts,” the DMD said.

He was optimistic that the market would rebound as the country fights its way out of recession. According to Mitsubishi, no compromise was made on safety during the designing process as the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport comes with the RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body technology as well as comprehensive active and passive safety features.

It stated that the interior of the car is surrounded by solid craftsmanship, high console proportion dashboard, while dynamically styled silver-finish ornamentation and sculpted seats add to its luxurious feel.

Paired to an 8-speed Automatic transmission (first for a Mitsubishi model), the 3L Pajero Sport GLS has a power train that returns 17 percent improvement in fuel economy over its predecessor and lower CO2 emission.

A rival to the pickup-based Chevrolet Trailblazer, Ford Everest, Toyota Fortuner SUVs, the Pajero Sport may owe its underpinnings to the latest iteration of the L200 / Triton pickup truck.

While Mitsubishi said ground clearance increased by 13mm to 218mm, the car rides on a 2,800mm wheelbase retaining the same width of 1,815mm as its predecessor, but it is 90mm longer at 4,785mm and 35mm shorter in height at 1,805mm for the AWD model.