Mitsubishi has launched the new Pajero Sport Automatic in the Indian market for Rs 23.55 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, the Pajero Sport Automatic will be available only in rear-wheel-drive, and will sit below the top of the line 4WD variant of the SUV.
The Pajero Sport Automatic continues to employ the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine which churns out 175bhp and 350Nm of torque. Though the power figure has remained the same, Mitsubishi has reduced the torque of the engine by 50Nm. The omission of the 4WD system means that the Pajero Sport Automatic is over 100kg lighter than the top of the line model. The Pajero Sport Automatic will be available with creature comforts like a two-din audio system, a new infotainment system loaded with navigation, reverse parking camera and automatic climate control.
Mitsubishi has also updated the 4WD variant and launched it with a revised price tag of Rs 23.8 lakh. The updated 4WD variant will be available with a new infotainment system and a chrome front grille. The car will be available in two two-tone paint schemes - flame red with white and lemon yellow with white.
The lack of an automatic transmission was the Achilles Heel of the Pajero Sport as a majority of customers buying cars in this price range prefer automatics over manuals. With this new variant, the Pajero Sport might attract more buyers and help the Japanese car maker increase its sales in the country. The Pajero Sport Automatic will rival the other automatic SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner and the Hyundai Santa Fe.
