Special Limited Edition: Paris-Dakar Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution special from 1997

Mitsubishi motors have a great tradition of winning the gruelling Paris-Dakar rally raid with almost metronomic regularity. This year, the Dakar sees Mitsubishi facing some serious competition from Volkswagen, who are currently leading after just a few stages. A few years back, in 1997, Mitsubishi launched a special road car to celebrate their Dakar successes. Called the Pajero Evolution (click here for specifications), it was to form the basis for the 1998 Mitsubishi Dakar rally effort. Based on a shortened Pajero chassis, it was fitted with a new 3.5 litre V6, the 6G74. Featuring Mitsubishi's variable valve timing and lift control system and a variable intake system MIVEC, the 3496 cc engine produced a claimed 280 PS (206 kW) at 6500 rpm and 348 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm. The oversquare 93.0 mm bore and 85.8 mm stroke engine had a compression ratio of 10.0:1, twin overhead cams and 4 valves per cylinder. Transmission was either a 5 speed manual, or optionally, a 5 speed automatic. No official performance claims or independent road tests are known, but it is estimated that the 0-100 km/h sprint took less than 8 seconds, and that the top speed was in excess of 200 km/h. The wheelbase was just 2420 mm and overall length 4075 mm, which made the Pajero Evolution something of a short and stubby projectile. The bonnet was made from aluminium to reduce weight, and featured a prominent air intake. The 3 door body was decked with other spoilers, air intakes, air vents, side air dams, and also had dramatically flared wheelarches, although the tyres were similar to the production Pajero's, with a size of 265/70 R 16. It's all-round independent suspension was at that time a unique feature for an off-road 4X4. Specification levels were quite high for this kind of special edition, with ABS, SRS airbags, keyless entry, Recaro front seats and fully automatic airconditioning. Approximately 30 examples were brought into the UK, where they were badged as Shogun Evolutions. Many Pajero versions have since been imported, the majority of which seem to be silver or white. Full technical specification can be found here: http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=152372