Test drive Mitsubishi Pajero (Montero, Shogun) LWB 2003 - 2006 SUV

Going around the surroundings

The proposal of Rolf, dealer Mitsubishi, we accepted not without hesitation. Late autumn is not the best time for walking in the suburbs: cold, dark, dirty.
However, for the competition offside the most. The peak of the Rasputitsa passed, the cold nights dried the lane, the forest has not yet lost a fiery autumn outfit, but already pretty brightened. And when are you still pleasing to the primer and off -road? In general, it was decided, we are going to Off Road Adventure, an off -road adventure is an excellent test in the case for Pajero, right? And for us the opportunity to measure his strength with colleagues, to maintain the status at the wheel ...
 
Long collections short chores
There are five special stages ahead, five hangs, five special competitions for five teams of two cars each. We, taking into account the wishes, got the silver Mitsubishi Pajero GDI 3.5 V6 exclusive. Xenon light, leather-tree salon, seats electric drives, a huge hatch, a complete set of electronics in the transmission, climatic installation and 18-inch wheels with asphalt tires of Pirelli Zero with a 55-river profile.
The transmission super-seal with an automatic box thing for Mitsubishi is not new. Everything is possible with it: an economical rear -wheel drive, and full with an interdessual differential for stability, and hard for off -road, and a reduced gear. But inter -axle locks do not provide for electronic assistants instead. The first MASC (Mitsubishi Active Stability Control) is responsible for active security. Its task is analyzing the readings of the angle of rotation of the steering wheel, controlled wheels, vehicle speed and body position, recognize the beginning of the skid and extinguish it. The second MATC (Active Traction Control) increases cross -country ability, slowing down the skid wheels. The third MEBAC (Engine Brake Assist Control) helps to stabilize the car on a slippery slope. It maintains a constant descent speed, controlling the brake moment of the engine and wheel brakes.
On the second roles we have a Mitsubishi L200 pickup (ZR, 2004, No. 6).
 
To free rein!
The fees were debts, traffic jams on the exit from the city of Nudna, lunch in the program was not listed. But the start time is registered according to the check from McDonald's. The initial plan is noted to be a glass of coffee our photographer with indignation: we must have a bite to eat properly! Thank you, Kostya, your visionary appetite! To whom it could have occurred that the promised surprise from the organizers lies in ..? No, about everything in due time.
Once upon a time, on the way from the Trinity to Kirzhach, the monk Sergius decided to rest and, as often happened with the monks, chose a good place at the source on the hill slope. During his long life, he did a lot of good deeds, for which he was canonized. And the source has been regularly visited by pilgrims since then, bathing cures diseases in it.
Those who, at temperatures slightly above zero, agree to stand under the ice stream, the organizers promised 500 points. We owe them to the navigator, however, he did not pass the cough soon ...
After the rain, it is hardly possible to drive up to the source on an ordinary passenger car. Go down the clay ruts in another half -bastard, but climb back. So the experience with all -wheel drive was replenished with valuable car control skills on highway rubber along a slippery road. In Pajero in this mode, it is better not to block the center differential machine. The car is easier to get out of the rut.
 
Take it off, a jack!
Even the most insignificant obstacle should be prepared in advance. Super-green recommends for dry asphalt a rear-wheel drive with a handicraft lever in position 2n we stopped in front of a hollow that has fed after recent rain. Now the lever in the 4llc position and go. Only at first there will be a turn of 90, and after a couple of meters, ill -fated ruts.
Eh, it was necessary to connect the entire all -wheel drive arsenal on the asphalt! The attempt of the assault ended in the deplorable Pajero stuck tightly, because on the impassion it remained rear -wheel drive. The reason is simple to connect the front -wheel drive and the center differential is blocked, you need to drive 510 meters in a straight line. At the bend, electronics do not allow the drive to connect too much the difference in the speed of rotation of the wheels. In general, it was not enough a little: the front wheels were picked up when the car was already getting up.
Realizing that the four -ton car could not be pushed out (although she did not even lay on the bottom), they turned to their colleagues for help. The elegant elastic cable could not stand the first jerk, the imported steel coped, but the hooks pretty bent over. In general, the lesson was learned until the correct scheme is displayed on the dashboard, to meddle in the mud prematurely.
We won the competition for high -speed replacement of the wheel with a clear advantage. Of course, the timing is not formula: more than two minutes to remove, embrace around the car, put the wheel back. But after all, the nuts are not one, but six, and the tool is only manual, and the wheel itself will pull 30 kilograms.
 
How much to hang a rope?
Exercises with the wheels were finished in a dark. The next test required not only the ability to keep a distance, but also ingenuity. Is it just to drive a kilometer on two machines connected by a five -meter twine? It is not at all difficult on the asphalt. And in slippery ruts, where in other places you will pass only with acceleration? The main thing here is to properly arrange the cars. The first is the L200 pickup with a mechanical gearbox, the second is the second: it is easier to adapt to the pace of movement with an automatic machine. The constant tension of the coupling is supported by the photographer, he also broadcasts signals closer, next.
As a result, only our team brought the rope not only whole, but also clean! 4HLC transmission mode, higher gear, blocked differential. If you go to a lowered box, you will sometimes have to switch to second gear, and it will be more difficult to maintain a constant distance.
At night, all cats are sulfur. However, in the light of the bixenon headlights of our Pajero, the road is visible very well.
It's time to play with an on-board computer: the average consumption of AI-95 gasoline 17.2 l/100 km. Theoretically, on the track you can meet 12, but only with a very uniform movement at a moderate pace.
 
Dirting, cleaner, faster!
The next stage passing for the time of the figure route at the bottom of the former career, and now an entertaining extreme park in Sorochans. We start a couple, finish for the second crew. Short straight, tight turns, slippery dirt is the main thing, go for sure and not rush. The 4H transmission mode, the center differential is free to turn so easily, but there are no completely deep ambushes. Automatic transmission is left in D Motor allows you to type on a straight line of 7080 km/h. The distance has been accumulated unmistakable.
And the total time is the last. The second car of our team, Mitsubishi L200, was not at a height with a rigidly connected front bridge and a long base to pass a tight route from one entrance. Another plus in the piggy bank of the Super-Green. And one more minus regarding the suspension energy intensity, especially the front, leaves much to be desired. Even small transverse ruts cause breakdown.
Is there hot water here? No. But there is a sink of high -pressure Kerher. So, it is possible to wash the car to a more or less decent level. As soon as possible. The dirt dried up to the hood is difficult to lends itself, the strip is not wider than the palm of the palm of one passage. Involuntarily, I recall the old wisdom: if you want to know how great your car is to wash it!
So the final competition is a traditional figure on the asphalt on the newly washed machine. A turn, a snake, a overall corridor, a snake, a turn, a finish base, the start of the second car on the lord of the judge. Simplicity and haste played an insidious role. Your humble servant confused the direction of the detour of the first chip on the reverse snake, and having heard the critical commentary of the navigator, so upset that he forgot about the finish by the basis. Claims to the car? There are no tires on the asphalt. Of course, I would like the suspension harder and the steering wheel, but so good.
 
The main part!
The contests came to an end, the time to declare the winners. The joint team driving and Soviet sport seems to be left without prizes: out of five tasks, only two were won.
The final result ... first place! An unexpected special competition helped. The organizers calculated the amount by checks for the same dinner and ... identified the winner. It became our team thanks to the so much hungry photographer.
Is it serious? Not competitions, but an entertaining walk! That is how modern all -resistant people do this. Such as Mitsubishi Pajero GDI 3.5 V6.
Or do you seriously believe that they are needed to transport people and cargoes on soil roads in a risk? Do not boil, we are already going to you!
Mitsubishi Pajero
The third -generation Mitsubishi Pajero debuted in the fall of 1999. For the first time, the model received a supporting body and an independent suspension of all the wheels.
They offer three- and five-door bodies, two diesel and two gasoline engines (115220 hp), three levels of configuration (GL, GLX, GLS).
In Russia, three- and five-door GLS equipment are sold with a 3.2 liter diesel engine and a 3.5-liter GDI gasoline engine with direct fuel injection. The price of a test car is $ 60 990.
 
SUMMARY
Mitsubishi Pajero is an excellent car for entertainment walks, a variety of hobbies and daily driving along ordinary roads.
+ Comfortable salon, a traction engine, excellent operation of an automatic box, low noise.
- low thresholds, large rear overhang, small energy intensity of the suspension.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anatoly Fomin
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"