Mitsubishi Wakes Up, Launches New Pajero Sport Select Plus Variant

Mitsubishi has launched a limited-edition variant called the Pajero Sport Select Plus, priced at Rs 28.60 lakh.

Mitsubishi – a brand that just does not come to mind when you think of SUVs – has just brought in a new variant of the Pajero Sport called the Select Plus. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Select Plus is priced at Rs 28.60 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi for the 4x2 variant and Rs 29.2 lakh for the 4x4 variant.

The Pajero Sport Select Plus does not have any mechanical changes over the regular Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, and is only a cosmetically enhanced variant, sporting a body kit and some accessories. It comes in a 4x2 automatic variant and a 4x4 manual transmission variant.

The Pajero Sport Select Plus models cost about Rs. 1.2 lakh over the regular Pajero Sport models. For that extra cash, here’s what you get.

Key Features of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Select Plus

• Cruise control
• DVD player with headrest monitors
• LED daytime running lamps
• HID headlamps
• Gloss black front guard and radiator grille
• Gloss black wheel arch flares
• Auto-folding outside mirrors
• Illuminated scuff plates
• Cooler for drinks
  
• Chrome door handles

Most of these features, except for cruise control and power-folding mirrors, can be added as aftermarket accessories anyway on a regular Pajero Sport. Mitsubishi is offering this package as a way of keeping the Pajero Sport fresh, in the wake of increasing interest in the segment.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport competes with the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour. However, it hardly sells in big numbers. In April 2017, only 52 Pajero Sports were sold, compared to 632 Ford Endeavours and 2,226 Toyota Fortuners in the same month. In the past six months, only 185 Pajero Sports were sold.

The Pajero Sport Select Plus is powered by a 2.5 litre diesel engine that puts out 175 bhp of power and 400 Nm of torque in the 4x4 variant, and 350 Nm of torque in the 4x2 variant. The 4x2 variant comes with a 5-speed automatic transmission only, while the 4x4 comes with a 5-speed manual transmission and selectable four-wheel drive. It was once a popular vehicle with rough-road enthusiasts, but a scanty dealer network has resulted in slow sales.

Mitsubishi also sells the Montero SUV in India, which it relaunched last year, priced at Rs 69 lakh ex-showroom. However, it isn’t popular either, with only three vehicles being sold in the past six months.