Report: All-new Mitsubishi Pajero will not be based on Y63 Nissan Patrol

Earlier this year, we were all surprised when Mitsubishi teased what could be the all-new Pajero/Montero. While the automaker has yet to confirm what the mystery vehicle is, our spy photographers were able to take pictures of the large SUV, albeit covered in a camouflage livery.

Despite Mitsubishi's best efforts to conceal its appearance, the mystery SUV shares the same design language as the XForce and the recently launched Destinator. Combined with its massive size and the brand's recent restoration of the 1985 Dakar-winning Pajero (as well as giving the Delica Mini a Pajero-inspired makeover), it seems Mitsubishi is banking on the Pajero revival for its new SUV.

Now, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) president & CEO Takao Kato has confirmed at the recently concluded Tokyo Auto Salon that “we will indeed launch a new full-fledged off-road SUV in 2026.” The executive did not state the mystery SUV by name, but the fact that the company confirmed its existence speaks more about the vehicle's importance once it's launched.

At the time the mystery Mitsubishi was first spotted last year, we initially thought the supposedly all-new Pajero would be based on the Y63 Nissan Patrol. Given that both Mitsubishi and Nissan are part of the Alliance, it would make sense for Mitsubishi to leverage it. However, based on a new report by Japanese publication BestCar, the all-new SUV will be a wholly-made product by Mitsubishi.

Citing an insider within the automaker, the next-generation Pajero will reportedly ride on the same platform as the latest Triton. Power will then supposedly come from the brand's 2.4L twin-turbo MIVEC diesel engine that currently makes 204 PS and 470 Nm of torque.

Once revealed, the all-new Pajero could take on the likes of the Land Cruiser Prado, which is available with a 2.8L turbo-diesel engine that makes 200 PS and 500 Nm of torque. But where does this leave the Pajero Sport/Montero Sport in the equation?

So far, the automaker has been quiet about an all-new Montero Sport/Pajero Sport, which somehow leads us to believe that the midsize SUV could be axed in favor of the bigger Pajero/Montero.

Besides getting a turbo-diesel engine, an electrified version of the full-size SUV could also be offered in the future. Nothing is set in stone yet about its electrified powertrain, but Mitsubishi could adopt the Outlander's PHEV system for the Pajero/Triton to make it viable in other markets.

Other details about Mitsubishi's new SUV are not yet available. But with Mitsubishi constantly mentioning the Pajero name every now and then, all points are leading to a revival in the not-so-distant future. We're hoping Mitsubishi holds the big reveal very soon.