A Rare Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution

Only 2,500 Pajero Evolutions were produced and they are still highly collectible today due to their combination of off-road power, dynamic styling and Dakar heritage.

The Evolution of Mitsubishi Pajero

The new Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution was released in 1997 and sold until 1999, with only 2,500 road versions produced for the same purpose.

By the time the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution was launched, Mitsubishi had a long and proud history of participating in the Paris-Dakar raids and rallies, with several victories to its name.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution is equipped with a 3.5 liter DOHC 6G74 V6 engine, 24 valves with MIVEC (Mitsubishi’s Innovative Valve Control Electronic Control System) and a dual variable intake system. This engine makes 276 hp at 6500 rpm, most are mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission, but some cars have a 5-speed manual transmission.

Mitsubishi and Paris Dakar Rally

Few people know that Mitsubishi is a dominant force in the world endurance racing competition, between 1985 and 2007, the Japanese carmaker won 12 at the Rallye Paris Dakar, with 150 wins in the race. race – and they won the Guinness World Record for “Most Dakar Race Wins by a Manufacturer”.

All of Mitsubishi’s Dakar victories and other raids are thanks to highly modified versions of their Pajero model, spanning several variants from the mid-1980s to the late 2000s.

Several racing versions of the Pajero have been developed by Mitsubishi since the mid-1980s, making them one of the best off-road 4×4 companies in the world at the time when the development of the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution V55W began. . in the mid-1990s.

The V55W is based on the monolithic chassis of the second-generation Pajero, but it has been significantly modified, with a new suspension, wide body kit, skid plates, and large fenders, with power provided by the engine. 3.5 liter DOHC 24 valve 275 hp. 6G74 V6 with MIVEC and a dual variable air intake.

For starters, MIVEC stands for “Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-Timing Electronic Control”, it is a variable valve control system that allows different timing of intake and exhaust valves depending on load, engine rpm and driving conditions.

Mitsubishi produced 2,500 examples of the V55W between 1997 and 1999 for homologation purposes. Most he had a 5-speed automatic (high range and low range), but some he received a 5-speed manual. Most other specifications remained largely unchanged during production.

Today, the Pajero Evolution V55W is increasingly considered a modern classic, slowly increasing in value.

This is Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution V55W

The 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution V55W shown here is from the first year of production and is painted in the rare factory color Passion Red. Only 62 of his examples were painted in this color.

Like all his V55Ws, this example is equipped with his Recaro front seats, twin-fin rear spoiler, scoops, proprietary suspension system, flared wheel arches and his 3.5-liter V6 with 275 horsepower.

Factory equipment includes automatic climate control, digital clock, heated rear windows, up/down transmission, folding rear armrests, dual front cup holders and power windows.