Will we see the next-gen Mitsubishi Pajero by 2020?

There's no doubt that the Mitsubishi Pajero is one of the iconic names to come out of the diamond star. However, there's also no denying that the current Pajero is no spring chicken. It's been around since 2006 and, at 12 years old, it's overdue for replacement. Mitsubishi has said before that there will be no all-new model in sight, but Japanese motoring media have reported otherwise.

Japanese publication Best Car Web has published that, by 2020, the next-gen Pajero will make its debut. While details are not concrete at the moment, the web magazine said that it may be developed with the collaboration of Nissan. That also means we may just see an all-new Patrol at the dawn of the new decade. If true, it will be just in time for the rumored launch year of the totally redesigned Toyota Land Cruiser, also slated for 2020.

So what's to be expected in the fifth-generation Pajero? In one way or another, it may get some styling cues from the Montero Sport with its 'Dynamic Shield' design language. It may even draw inspiration from the GC-PHEV (Grand Cruiser-Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) which was shown during the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. With the Nissan collaboration in mind, the 2020 Pajero might grow significantly in size, putting it right in the full-size SUV ranks.

On that note, there is a possibility that it will have a plug-in hybrid option. Again, Best Car Web reports that the powertrain may come courtesy of the e-Evolution Concept. The system used in that particular car was a triple motor system and its four-wheel drive system was powered by electricity. They added that Mitsubishi may not be dropping diesel power for the Pajero. However, if ever there will be diesel power for the all-new Pajero, a bigger and more powerful version of the 2.4-liter MIVEC turbodiesel in the Montero Sport could be developed just for the SUV.

Source: Best Car Web