Full On Montero The fourth-generation pajero is all set to roll out as the new montero. |  |
Hindustan Motors (HM) is all set to introduce the new fourth-generation Mitsubishi Pajero Super Exceed as the new Montero in India in the second half of 2007. HM currently sells the third-generation Pajero as an import under the Montero moniker. While the all-new Montero is expected to replace the existing model, HM will continue producing the second-generation Pajero (marketed as the Pajero CRZ) at its Chennai facility as there is good demand for it.
Caught testing by our reader Tushar Atre in this spy shot, this lightly-disguised example clearly shows that the SUV will not be different to the one unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, and currently on sale elsewhere in the world. Instead of starting from scratch on a new platform, Mitsubishi took the third-generation Pajero (our Montero) and improved upon it, with the monocoque architecture being carried over, but made more rigid with better impact absorption. The basic silhouette remains largely the same, but there is a styling shake–up to give it a distinctive look from its predecessor. Borrowing heavily from the company’s multiple Dakar Rally-winning Evolution Rally/Raid trucks, the new SUV has an aggressive fascia, and like the Lancer, Mitsubishi will be hoping to play the rally heritage card for the Montero as well. The new headlamps are large double-stepped designed, with Xenon- incorporated main elements that below the bumper line, with wraparound winglets. The grille takes up most of the front, and sports bold double slats in chrome, broken by the Mitsubishi diamond logo in the middle. There is a thin crease that starts from the top of the logo and runs all the way to the windscreen – much like the comet tail trail in the Lancer Cedia’s grille. The current Montero’s coke-bottle wheel arch bulges have been diluted for a flatter surface. There is now a broad, flat band encompassing all the wheel arches, the macho wheel-well bulge on the bonnet gives way to a sharp belt line crease that runs around the front, diffusing under the rear windows and the heavy bulge on the rear wheel arch is also watered down, no longer running to the tail-lamps.
The rear receives more subtle changes, with the tail-lamps reduced in size and given the clear, chrome treatment. The door-mounted spare wheel is shifted to the centre and the numberplate now mounted on the spare wheel housing. The rear bumper had been reduced in size, and now comes with an integrated metal look protection plate. The rear window has been simplified, and now gently curves on the corners instead of the abrupt double cuts. The new rearview mirror with built-in indicators is the only change in the sides of the SUV, with the attractive flow of the side windows being retained.
Under the bonnet, the current 3.2-litre four-cylinder direct injection diesel will be replaced by an identical displacement 3.2-litre four-cylinder DI-D Common Rail engine, giving out about 160bhp. The new 3.8-litre V6 petrol with Mitsubishi’s version of variable valve timing — MIVEC — pushing out a whopping 250bhp, will probably still not make it to our shores as there is little demand for petrol- powered SUVs in India, even in this price bracket. Power will be transferred via a five-speed manual transmission mated to Mitsubishi’s ‘Super Select’ SS4-II all-wheel-drive system. An automatic option is on the cards as well. Electronic aids in the form of ASTC (Active Stability and Traction Control), ABS (antilock brake system) and EBD (electronic brake distribution) will help deliver the power with relative ease.
Inside the cabin, changes are understated. The basic dash configuration remains the same but subtle changes in shape give a modern outlook, especially with the wooden-look facia replaced with better-looking black plastics. Large blue-lit gauges set deep behind the steering are updates to instrumentation. The multi-function ‘RV meter’ will continue to adorn the central part of the dash.
Unlike the present Montero, a factory-fitted in-dash 6-CD MP3 changer should make it, with steering mounted controls, as should the automatic climate control, replacing the current manual controls. All these will feature cool blue-and-red illumination, a small effect that lends big to the overall cabin feel.
Safety will be taken care by ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor)- equipped seatbelts, dual-stage front airbags as well as side and curtain airbags.
The current Montero is a very capable and good-looking SUV. The new engine should solve the noise and harshness issues we found in the earlier model. The cosmetic upgrades will bring the SUV to current design trends and allow it to rival higher-priced contemporaries. With a price tag of around Rs 35 lakh, that should not be a problem.
Caught testing by our reader Tushar Atre in this spy shot, this lightly-disguised example clearly shows that the SUV will not be different to the one unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, and currently on sale elsewhere in the world. Instead of starting from scratch on a new platform, Mitsubishi took the third-generation Pajero (our Montero) and improved upon it, with the monocoque architecture being carried over, but made more rigid with better impact absorption. The basic silhouette remains largely the same, but there is a styling shake–up to give it a distinctive look from its predecessor. Borrowing heavily from the company’s multiple Dakar Rally-winning Evolution Rally/Raid trucks, the new SUV has an aggressive fascia, and like the Lancer, Mitsubishi will be hoping to play the rally heritage card for the Montero as well. The new headlamps are large double-stepped designed, with Xenon- incorporated main elements that below the bumper line, with wraparound winglets. The grille takes up most of the front, and sports bold double slats in chrome, broken by the Mitsubishi diamond logo in the middle. There is a thin crease that starts from the top of the logo and runs all the way to the windscreen – much like the comet tail trail in the Lancer Cedia’s grille. The current Montero’s coke-bottle wheel arch bulges have been diluted for a flatter surface. There is now a broad, flat band encompassing all the wheel arches, the macho wheel-well bulge on the bonnet gives way to a sharp belt line crease that runs around the front, diffusing under the rear windows and the heavy bulge on the rear wheel arch is also watered down, no longer running to the tail-lamps.
The rear receives more subtle changes, with the tail-lamps reduced in size and given the clear, chrome treatment. The door-mounted spare wheel is shifted to the centre and the numberplate now mounted on the spare wheel housing. The rear bumper had been reduced in size, and now comes with an integrated metal look protection plate. The rear window has been simplified, and now gently curves on the corners instead of the abrupt double cuts. The new rearview mirror with built-in indicators is the only change in the sides of the SUV, with the attractive flow of the side windows being retained.
Under the bonnet, the current 3.2-litre four-cylinder direct injection diesel will be replaced by an identical displacement 3.2-litre four-cylinder DI-D Common Rail engine, giving out about 160bhp. The new 3.8-litre V6 petrol with Mitsubishi’s version of variable valve timing — MIVEC — pushing out a whopping 250bhp, will probably still not make it to our shores as there is little demand for petrol- powered SUVs in India, even in this price bracket. Power will be transferred via a five-speed manual transmission mated to Mitsubishi’s ‘Super Select’ SS4-II all-wheel-drive system. An automatic option is on the cards as well. Electronic aids in the form of ASTC (Active Stability and Traction Control), ABS (antilock brake system) and EBD (electronic brake distribution) will help deliver the power with relative ease.
Inside the cabin, changes are understated. The basic dash configuration remains the same but subtle changes in shape give a modern outlook, especially with the wooden-look facia replaced with better-looking black plastics. Large blue-lit gauges set deep behind the steering are updates to instrumentation. The multi-function ‘RV meter’ will continue to adorn the central part of the dash.
Unlike the present Montero, a factory-fitted in-dash 6-CD MP3 changer should make it, with steering mounted controls, as should the automatic climate control, replacing the current manual controls. All these will feature cool blue-and-red illumination, a small effect that lends big to the overall cabin feel.
Safety will be taken care by ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor)- equipped seatbelts, dual-stage front airbags as well as side and curtain airbags.
The current Montero is a very capable and good-looking SUV. The new engine should solve the noise and harshness issues we found in the earlier model. The cosmetic upgrades will bring the SUV to current design trends and allow it to rival higher-priced contemporaries. With a price tag of around Rs 35 lakh, that should not be a problem.
No comments:
Post a Comment