Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 1997 - World Of Classic Cars -

Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 1997

The Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution or PajEvo for short, was built from 1997 through to 1999 as a means of sneaking into the Dakar Rally's production-based T2 class. The Dakar Rally is dubbed the toughest car race in the world, and building a car for it is a serious task. The car is powered by a 3.5 litre 24-valve DOHC V6; a dual plenum variable intake helps to increase power and a new suspension makes the ride even smoother. Power output from the 3.5 litre V6 is 280p, whilst maximum torque is 35.5kgm (348.1Nm)/3000rpm. The car hosts a five speed auto Tiptronic gearbox, switchable 4 or 2 wheel drive and is spec'd with climate control, power steering, air bags, electric windows, heated mirrors, Recaro seats and carbon fibre dash, full tool kit, emergency flare, limited slip differential, rear/roof spoiler, anti-lock braking system and rear seat and side impact protection bars.

Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 1997

The PajEvo was given all new suspension, new differentials, skid plate, a wide body kit, and mud flaps.  The idea was to enter a super-strong car into the otherwise-tame stock class by selling 2500 beefy specials to the public thereby homologating them for the stock class. The result is that the Pajero Evolution remains to this day tougher than just about any other production car on the market.
The suspension, unique to the PajEvo, was given the acronym ARMIE by Mitsubishi ; All Road Multilink Independent suspension for Evolution. The car's track was widened by 125mm at the front, 110mm at the rear. Suspension travel is 240mm at the front, 270mm at the rear. It has the same style of centre diff as the other Super Select 4WD Pajeros, which can be either RWD only, 4WD unlocked (in which case it's a viscous diff), or locked 50/50. But where the regular Pajeros came with open front diffs and either open rear or with an optional locker, the PajEvo has Torsion diffs in the front and the back and an aluminium vented bonnet.

Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution 1997

Mitsubishi not only dominated the T2 class with this car, they dominated the whole Dakar Rally. Pajero Evolutions didn't just win their class; they won overall. PajEvos took the top three spots in 1998, beating even the supposedly faster T3 class cars. They covered over 10,000 kilometres in 18 days, and finished five hours before the next competitor. Pajeros have won nearly half of all the Dakar Rallies with 15 wins overall.

Mitsubishi Starion EX Turbo 1989 - World Of Classic Cars -

Mitsubishi Starion EX Turbo 1989

The Starion is considered to be one of the originators of the modern Japanese turbocharged performance sportscars of the era and certainly the first to use electronic fuel injection. Over the production run of the Starion, nearly every year brought changes with increased engine power as well as larger body sizes and more complexity in the vehicle. The introduction of the 'widebody' also split the car into two distinct ranges; one of which was a non-intercooled lower horsepower car using the narrow body style and a high-performance intercooled widebody. Many came with a limited slip differential and anti-lock brakes as standard features. Horsepower varied between 150-197hp depending mostly upon the turbocharger that was fitted, the presence of an intercooler and whether the eight-valve or 12-valve head was used.

Mitsubishi Sigma - World Of Classic Cars -

Mitsubishi Sigma 1991

Before Toyota and Nissan responded to the market opportunity for luxury performance vehicles with the Lexus and Infiniti  brands, the Japanese manufacturers were having to test how far they could stretch their brands into territory dominated by the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and BMW. Honda, in the late 1980's, surprised the market with the well equipped 'Legend' model and Mitsubishi in 1990 revealed the 'Sigma', packed with all of the company's latest technology and in doing so, earning Mitsubishi the mantle, 'Best Car of The Year' in Japan.   The 24-Valve, three litre, V6, multi-point, fuel injection engine generates 202bhp and was the same unit used in the 3000GTO. Only available in automatic and front wheel drive, the proven engine had a very good reputation for reliability and smooth power delivery. Sigmas were packed with advanced features such as variable induction control, two-stage traction control, stability control, four-wheel steering and a spectrum of other pioneering features and luxury comforts. This all contributed to a hefty price tag of £26,009 at launch in the UK in 1991 - over 10%  more expensive than the comparable BMW 525i SE; therefore with limited promotional support in the UK market, the model never made substantial sales. A facelift version with slightly sharper pricing was introduced in the summer of 1992, but this also failed to achieve desired sales. The model has developed a good following in Germany and Japan and the advice and parts network is reported as very good despite this being a relatively low production vehicle.