HM-Mitsubishi have finally launched the Pajero Sport in India, priced at a rather optimistic Rs. 23.53 lakhs. The Japanese automaker wants to continue to sell the highly aged Pajero SFX 2.8 which is priced at Rs. 21.70 lakhs, due to which the company has taken a premium pricing approach with the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. The pricing is shocking indeed, considering the Toyota Fortuner 4×4 is priced at Rs. 21.70 lakhs, while the Hyundai Santa Fe 4WD is priced at Rs. 23.47 lakhs. (all prices mentioned above are ex-showroom, New Delhi). Factor in the Toyota badge, excellent service network, looks of the Fortuner and the Pajero Sport already looks pale in comparison. There are two more variants of the Fortuner, which are even cheaper!
Mitsubishi is offering only one variant of the Pajero Sport in India, which is powered by a 2.5-litre, common-rail diesel engine, producing 175 BHP of peak power at 4000 RPM and 40.4 Kgm of peak torque between 2000-2500 RPM. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport comes equipped with features such as Super Select 4WD, leather seats, dual airbags, MP3 audio system (with USB port), 17-inch alloy wheels (265/65 tyres), multi-information display (shows barometer, altimeter, etc), projector headlamps, ABS, EBD, rear wiper, rear parking sensors to name a few. The 7-seater Pajero Sport has a turning radius of 5.6-meters and is available in 6 colours, namely white, black, red, silver, grey and brown.
Mitsubishi is currently importing the Pajero Sport from its Thailand facility as a CBU and plan to go the CKD route by the end of 2012. The company could offer more variants of the Pajero Sport with lesser features but going by their current line-up, its quite doubtful. The Pajero Sport is a very capable off-roader (with a ground clearance of 215 mm) but how many SUV buyers take the road less traveled? Very few indeed. Factor in the wafer thing dealership network and not so impressive service of HM-Mitsubishi and the Pajero Sport instantly looks like a fantastic product having huge potential but not marketed well enough. Mitsubishi needs to break up with HM and that is the only way they can move forward in India.
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