• Mitsubishi Pajero Rally Concept rocks off-road accessories and a Ralliart livery.
  • Executives express strong interest in the motorsport heritage of the off-roader.
  • Still, a high-performance Pajero Ralliart has yet to be confirmed for production.

The Mitsubishi Pajero has returned as a body-on-frame SUV running diesel power, and Mitsubishi has pointed it directly at the Toyota Land Cruiser 250 Series. At the model’s official presentation in Japan, the company also put a Pajero Rally Concept on the floor, kitted out with off-road hardware and a glossy Ralliart livery that did nothing to slow the speculation about a hotter production version. Executives spent the rest of the event walking that speculation back. Not yet, was their message.

Starting with the rugged build, it is called the Pajero Rally Concept and was displayed next to a replica of the title-winning Triton ASXR rally truck. The SUV is wrapped in a motorsport-inspired livery with a striking red wrap featuring shiny Ralliart graphics, and rides on 18-inch Work Crag T-Grabic MC aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolandar X-AT all-terrain tires.

More: Nissan Slams The Door On A Nismo Navara, Mitsubishi Cracks One Open For Ralliart

Other differences with the stock Pajero include front and rear fender extensions, a custom C-pillar cover, red skid plates, a front grille with the Ralliart emblem and a snorkel. Those are listed as accessories, with some being prototype parts.

Don’t Get Excited Just Yet

Mitsubishi Motors Brunei / Facebook

Despite the presence of the Rally Concept at the event, it seems that a high-performance Pajero Ralliart won’t be heading to the dealerships anytime soon, limiting its use as a promotional or a rally support vehicle at least for the time being.

More: The Mitsubishi Pajero Is Back, And It Looks Like A Proper Land Cruiser Rival Again

Australian media CarSales spoke to Kunitoshi Itagaki, Mitsubishi Chief Product Specialist, asking him about the potential of a Pajero Ralliart. Itagaki said:

“So, actually, to be honest, we have no specific project or Ralliart model to announce at this time. But actually, our heritage in Ralliart is really important for us. So we will continue to study the opportunity to deliver performance and an experience worthy of the Ralliart name. But there’s no confirmed plan to disclose. This is my honest answer.”

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi admitted that the motorsport heritage of the off-roader played an important role in its development, with Keisuke Kishiura, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mitsubishi Motors mentioning the Pajero’s 12 victories at the Dakar Rally that gave it the nickname “the king of the desert”.

More: Mitsubishi Is Finally Making A Pickup For America, But Not On Its Own

The high-ranking official added that technologies developed in motorsports find their way into their production models, but he stopped short of announcing or hinting at a more capable production variant.

Why Delay The Ralliart?

Illustration: Thanos Pappas for CarScoops

The Pajero rides on a Triton-sourced ladder frame architecture paired with a model-specific front double-wishbone and rear five-link rigid axle suspension layout. At launch, it is exclusively available with a 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine producing 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a standard Super Select 4WD II system.

Mitsubishi made no mention of other powertrain options but a hybrid is likely under development for the future. A more potent heart sounds fitting for a Pajero Ralliart, in combination with a beefed-up suspension, grippy tires a custom bodykit similar to the concept.

This scenario coincides with earlier comments about the Premcar-developed Triton Raider for Australia, with executives citing a potential Ralliart version of the midsize pickup as a step further in terms of capabilities.

Off-Road Accessories

Mitsubishi Motors Brunei / Facebook

Until Mitsubishi commits to a new Pajero Ralliart, buyers will be able to customize their SUV with off-road bits. One of the SUVs shown at the presentation rocks a steel front bumper with an integrated bull bar and extra LEDs, a snorkel, a roof rack, side steps, and 18-inch wheels shod in Yokohama Geolandar tires.

More: Mitsubishi’s Toughest Triton Yet Ships With A Shovel Bolted To The Roof

Unfortunately, Mitsubishi didn’t mention the upgraded Pajero build in the official press release. In the near future, we expect the automaker to share more information about the available options in the official accessory catalog.