Mitsubishi Pajero V60/V70 (1999–2006)

Why the V60 broke with tradition

The third Pajero was the biggest technical change in the model's history. Mitsubishi's own history describes it as a "monocoque body with built-in ladder frame", replacing the body-on-frame layout of the first two generations. Mitsubishi Australia sums up the aim as better on-road comfort without giving up off-road ability.

The details changed as much as the concept. The body sits lower and wider, and the fuel tank moved to a protected position between the axles. Recirculating-ball steering gave way to rack and pinion. The new long-travel independent rear suspension came from the Pajero Evolution homologation car, so the road car inherited hardware first developed for the Dakar.

Mitsubishi gives October 1999 as the Japanese launch, although some references quote 2 August 1999. Europe followed in spring 2000, and North America received the car as the 2001 Montero. The complete Pajero model history shows how this layout carried on into the fourth generation.

Super Select 4WD II on the third Pajero

Super Select 4WD II, introduced with this generation, is a rework of the original system rather than a new idea. The centre differential now uses planetary gears instead of bevel gears, and in full-time mode it splits torque 33:67 between the front and rear axles.

Mode changes are controlled electronically, so the driver does not have to put the car into gear to change mode. The four positions stayed familiar: rear-wheel drive, full-time four-wheel drive, locked centre differential and locked low range. German cars also came with Mitsubishi Active Stability Control, Mitsubishi's name for electronic stability control, as standard equipment.

3.2 DI-D, 3.5 GDI and other V60 engines

In Europe the choice was simple: a four-cylinder diesel or a V6 petrol. The 3.2 DI-D direct-injection diesel lost 3 kW in a 2001 revision, while torque stayed the same. Figures are from German catalogue data.

Other markets had different engines. Japan's 3.5 GDI was quoted at 162 kW (220 PS), and a 3.0 V6 was sold in several export markets. North America received a 3.8 V6 from the 2003 model year, rated at 210 hp (SAE), about 157 kW, while developing markets kept a 2.8 diesel. Gearboxes were a five-speed manual or an INVECS-II automatic with four or five speeds; German data lists the five-speed automatic from late 2001.

ADAC lists the 3.2 DI-D five-door automatic at 13.8 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, 170 km/h (106 mph) and 10.5 L/100 km (26.9 mpg UK), with 278 g/km of CO2. The 3.5 GDI five-door automatic is quicker at 12.5 seconds and 185 km/h (115 mph), but uses 14.2 L/100 km (19.9 mpg UK).

Three-door and five-door V60 dimensions

The table shows German-market cars: a 3.2 DI-D automatic five-door with seven seats (2001–2005) and a 3.2 DI-D manual three-door (2005–2007).

The three-door manual is lighter and more economical: ADAC quotes 11.5 seconds to 100 km/h and 9.5 L/100 km (29.7 mpg UK) combined.

Crash tests: IIHS and ANCAP

Euro NCAP never tested the third-generation Pajero, so the published crash results come from the United States and Australia.

The IIHS tested a 2001 Montero Limited in its moderate-overlap frontal test and rated it Acceptable overall, a result that applies to 2001–2006 models. The structure scored Good, but the dummy's head hit the B-pillar on rebound and the steering wheel moved far upward. The front seats and head restraints were rated Poor for rear-impact protection.

In Australia, ANCAP's 2004 test of a Pajero Exceed is reported as a one-star result, with 9.88 of 16 points in the frontal offset test and 16 of 16 in the side test; the steering column was reported to have come loose from its mounts. German-market cars had driver, passenger and front side airbags, ABS and stability control as standard, but no curtain airbags.

Facelift, Pajero Classic and the V60 Dakar years

A minor facelift arrived in 2003; in Germany the most visible change was round fog lamps in place of the square ones. In North America the width grew from 1,877 to 1,900 mm (73.9 to 74.8 in) with the update. From May 2005, Mitsubishi Germany also sold a basic Pajero Classic based on the V60, with the 118 kW (160 PS) diesel, a manual gearbox, steel wheels and unpainted bumpers.

The Pajero's most famous rally run happened while this generation was in showrooms. Jutta Kleinschmidt and Andreas Schulz won the 2001 Dakar, and Kleinschmidt became the first woman to win the event outright. Hiroshi Masuoka won in 2002 and 2003, Stéphane Peterhansel in 2004 and 2005, and Luc Alphand in 2006. A seventh win in a row followed in 2007, after the fourth generation had arrived. The rally cars were purpose-built prototypes using the Pajero name, not modified V60s.