Test drive Mitsubishi Pajero (Montero, Shogun) LWB 2000 - 2003 SUV

The third is not superfluous

Born on the fields of rally battles, which has become a kind of automobile symbol of post -perestroika Russia, the famous lean by the beginning of the millennium was on the sidelines. Mitsubishi Pajero III can save the situation.
To rest on the laurels is ungrateful. You won’t notice how those whom you looked at the rear view mirror already show you your strong backgad. And your fans and fans have changed their attitude yesterday, and indifference is read in their eyes at best. What will a normal man do in such a situation? Of course, he will actively take care of himself: a gym, a pool and any other, no less useful, in order to restore shape and return lost positions.
Shaping course. The design of Pajero III is an obvious attempt to turn the situation in your favor. We have a completely new car. At the same time, despite the cardinal processing, which was subjected to the entire body, starting from the front bumper up to the rear lamps, the main stylistic idea was preserved. Even if you remove the branded red diamond from the grille of the radiator error in determining the origin.
Serious work on herself gave obvious fruits. The appearance is undoubtedly able to cause strong emotions. True, not necessarily only positive. Due to the original shape of the wings, the massive expanders of the rear wheels, the inclined line of the windows in the back of the body, it was possible to get rid of the flabby heavyness, characteristic of the appearance of both the previous generation Pajero and for many of its current classmates. And to acquire the missing originality along with a fair amount of brutality, partly restore the lost frying. Nevertheless, participants in the international test drive in Spain, in terms of evaluating the appearance, could not come to a consensus. She is controversial, but the fact that attention attracts and gives food for these very disputes is already good.
It is worth paying attention to the front bumper, especially the developed protrusions located on the very extreme lower part in front of the wheels. In addition to aesthetic load, these peculiar spoilers have a very practical meaning. They are designed to significantly reduce the flow of dirt thrown into windshield, when the car on the road flutters at speeds in a hole filled with a vile slurry. And when crossing the fords, they will throw water from the motor compartment and the sides of the car.
 
Non -traditional approach. The new Pajero was a little heard. In the five -door version, it increased by 7 cm in length and 10 cm in width. But the main feature is that Mitsubishi engineers decided on a very non -trivial and even partly risky step abandoned the traditional frame structure, which was always considered one of the main signs of a real SUV.
The body and frame are one. Do not rush, gentlemen of the jeepers, crook lips in an ironic grin. This is by no means an analogue of a carrier car carrier, even with subframes. The stair -type frame integrated into the body, along with racks and transverse stiffeners in the roof, forms something like a spatial frame and, according to the creators, is more effective than the traditional option.
With the simultaneous reduction in weight and simplification of production, the hardness of the body for bending and twisting improves. Which very positively affects both controllability and safety. In addition, the new design of the supporting elements made it possible to increase the clearance by 2 cm and slightly lower the engine. As a result, the center of gravity of the car shifted down, and, as a result, transverse stability improved.
Of the other features of the new Pajero, a unique carbon cardan shaft deserves attention. With a strong frontal impact, it is crushed in a certain place, as a result of which there is no risk of penetration into the salon or damage to the gas tank. Which, in turn, made it possible to make the latter 20 kg easier and place in front of the rear axle. This improved the overall weight of the car along the axes.
Internal readiness. The new Pajero is not an example of a hospitable predecessor. It became more convenient to drive in the car, the threshold height decreased by 5 centimeters, and the changed proportions of the salon also significantly added comfort to both the driver and passengers.
In a completely new, completely unlike interior, the center of attention immediately is the dashboard and the dashboard. In terms of the convenience and functionality of devices and controls of issues, there are no questions, but the design evokes double feelings. Original, but very angular. In such cases, they say: I do not like it, but perhaps there is something in this. However, if the designers set a goal to create a certain spirit and mood of the cool obedient of the off -road in the car, it seems that it turned out.
At the same time, in the new Pajero there was no place that was previously considered obligatory for this model devices: compass, rollomer and altimeter. They were replaced by a large liquid crystalline display integrated into the front console, where the testimony of the triple-computer, hours, information about the operation of the climate installation and the outcome temperature are displayed, and if the audio system about it is available. Undoubtedly necessary information. And the presence on the dashboard of a large open door indicator will certainly save from the risk of losing one of the satellites during dashing off-road exercises.
Speaking of off -road. Pajero III is equipped with a unique handout: the lever has an electronic servo and moves in its slot completely without effort, like computer joysticks.
At a distance. The first stage of the route from the starting site to the El-Montagni SUV was partially passed around the city, partly along the high-speed line. Without any difficulties, the massive Pajero with the GDI gasoline engine overcame the city hustle and bustle, demonstrating enviable maneuverability. And the frisky starts from the intersections and good dynamics forced more than one hot Spanish driver to cry with his teeth from powerlessness.
On the highway, it was possible to disperse it to passports 190 km/h, where the remarkable qualities of a new, completely independent spring suspension and new steering manifested itself. Unlike many brothers in the class, most of which, with 140150 km/h, requires the ultimate concentration of attention and constant efforts to keep the car in a given course, Pajero III and at high speed is on the course, as a glove, without requiring stressful correction of the steering wheel. The base increased by 5.5 centimeters, coupled with the new suspension, had a very positive effect on the smoothness of the course, not only on the highway, but also on the potholes and potholes of the off -road.
From a fast driving along a rocky dirt road, replete with turns, sharp descents and climbs, you get real pleasure. The suspension perfectly extinguishes shocks and blows, although the front still occasionally breaks through, but only if you fly into a good hole without reducing the gas. In a highly crossed area, the 5-door version seemed to us more comfortable than 3-door. The latter is clearly tougher, although from the point of view of cross -countryout a short -minded option is preferable.
It is difficult to draw a unambiguous conclusion about cross -country ability, because there was nothing on the way, even remotely similar to our domestic dirt or the most seedy swamp. But one episode is very indicative: colleagues swept along the edge of the Mediterranean Sea almost at a meter depth and returned without problems to the sandy shore. Neither the water nor the engine penetrated into the salon. By the way, according to the passport, the depth of accessible ford is indicated at 60 cm.
From the landfill, we returned along a mountain winding serpentine, where two cars would be difficult to part, and a few steps a gap with a depth of a hundred meters. And then there is rain. And to the honor of the new Pajero I must say that in this difficult situation he behaved reliably and predictably. After overcoming this very dangerous section of the track in the cabin, it remains dry and comfortable.
In conclusion, it remains only to add that all of the above primarily applies to machines, equipped with a direct injection gasoline engine. Diesel left not the most pleasant sensations that fit into one phrase: noise, weak, but economical. Having repaid, you can imagine yourself as a KAMAZ driver. About aggressive driving and a pen of dummies with such a motor will have to be forgotten. Typically working option.
Text and photo Alexey Ilyin

 

Source: "Autopilot"