三菱・パジェロ（初代）
PajeroL040
V0047
- MAKER
- MITSUBISHI
- YEARS
- 1982–1991
- CODE
- L040 / L140
- TYPE
- OFF-ROAD / SUV
- ORIGIN
- JAPAN
02 — Historical context
Historicalcontext.
- 01
The first generation debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1981 and was launched in May 1982, following the 1979 Pajero II concept.
Source: Mitsubishi Pajero — Wikipedia (English) - 02
It initially came as a three-door short-wheelbase model; a long-wheelbase five-door followed in February 1983.
Source: Mitsubishi Pajero — Wikipedia (English) - 03
Unusual features for a 4WD of the time included a turbodiesel engine, front double-wishbone suspension with torsion bars, power steering and suspension seats.
Source: Mitsubishi Pajero — Wikipedia (English) - 04
In November 2023 the first-generation Pajero was selected as a Historic Car by the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame.
Source: Mitsubishi Pajero — Wikipedia (English)
03 — Exterior & interior
- Manufacturer
- Mitsubishi
- Chassis / model codes
- L040 / L140
- Production
- 1982-05 – 1991
- Body styles
- 3-door SUV / 5-door SUV
- Layout
- Front-engine, four-wheel drive
- Engine
- 4G63Inline-4 · Naturally aspirated or turbocharged
- 4D55TInline-4 diesel · Turbocharged
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual / 4-speed automatic (from April 1985)
- Length × width × height
- 3,995 × — × — mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,350 mm
- People
- Kiyoshi Honda
Figures follow the sources listed below. Values vary by market, variant and year; anything we could not verify is omitted. Power is shown in the unit the source used (PS / hp / kW).
05 — Motorsport
Ontrack.
Competition cars differ from the road car; the specifications above describe the road car.
Andrew Cowan won his class in a Pajero at the 1983 Paris–Alger–Dakar, beginning the Pajero's Dakar Rally record.
Source: Mitsubishi Pajero — Wikipedia (English)Mitsubishi's Dakar record with the Pajero totals 12 overall car-class wins and 150 stage wins.
Source: Mitsubishi Pajero — Wikipedia (English)
06 — Global legacy
JDM
三菱・パジェロ（初代）
North America, Spain, Latin America
Mitsubishi Montero
United Kingdom
Mitsubishi Shogun
07 — Gallery
08 — On film
Onfilm.
MotorsportOfficial channel
The Spirit in Motion：From Dakar 1985 to Today
Mitsubishi recalls the Pajero's 1985 Paris-Dakar Rally victory, the first overall win by a Japanese manufacturer, and its legacy today.
Source: MITSUBISHI MOTORS Global · YouTube
09 — Related
Relatedmachines.
Rival (editorial)
Toyota
Land Cruiser 70 Series
J70 · 1984– · Off-road
Second generation (1979), incl. Delica Star Wagon · 1979–1986
Delica (second generation)
Sibling
Mitsubishi
Delica (second generation)
Second generation (1979), incl. Delica Star Wagon · 1979–1986 · Minivan
CD9A · 1992–1994
Lancer Evolution (first generation)
Same engine
Mitsubishi
Lancer Evolution (first generation)
CD9A · 1992–1994 · Sedan
Same engine
Mitsubishi
Lancer Evolution VI
CP9A · 1999–2001 · Sedan
Same maker
Mitsubishi
GTO (3000GT)
Z15A · 1990–2001 · Grand tourer
Same maker
Mitsubishi
Colt Galant GTO
A53C · 1970–1977 · Coupé
10 — Sources
- 01Mitsubishi Pajero – WikipediaWikipedia · reference · accessed 2026-09-26
- 02三菱・パジェロ – Wikipedia (ja)Wikipedia · reference · accessed 2026-09-26
11 — Photo credits
Mitsubishi Pajero (first generation)
1985 Paris-Dakar Rally-winning Mitsubishi Pajero in a dark museum display.
ByTTTNIS
Mitsubishi Pajero (first generation)
Black 1982 first-generation Mitsubishi Pajero short-wheelbase, side/front view.
ByTTTNIS