Mitsubishi Challenger

Go Anywhere Any time

Today's motorists are very demanding, none more so than those who need a vehicle that is robust enough to cope with sporting weekends in the country but also offers total comfort around town during the week. That's some challenge.

Step forward, the Mitsubishi Challenger, the SUV with a civilizing influence. Mitsubishi made its first off-road vehicle over six decades ago, and that experience is reflected in the confident design of the Challenger. Knowledge gained from Mitsubishi's substantial off-road rallying success manifests itself as advanced engineering in this most sturdy of production vehicles. Indeed, in both the 1997 and 1998 Dakar events, a Challenger finished 4th, behind three Mitsubishi Pajeros (Monteros). But the real appeal of the Challenger is that this strength combines with an interior design and ride that leave even city-bound sedans standing. It's not that the Challenger has a split personality: it's simply that Mitsubishi aims to build vehicles that reflect modern motorists' lifestyle rather than restrict it.

The Challenger is fitted with either a GDI V6 3500 DOHC 24-valve engine or a 2.8 liter intercooled turbocharged diesel engine. Mitsubishi's environment-friendly GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine series is fast establishing a reputation not only for excellent fuel economy with low emissions, but also for a performance which is superior to many conventional engines.

The Challenger has proven highly popular in a wide variety of terrain around the world. Three features in particular account for its versatility. First, Mitsubishi's exclusive limited slip differential makes sure that power flows equally to the rear wheels, thereby ensuring excellent traction in the most difficult conditions. Second, the Super Select 4WD system allows the driver to switch smoothly from 2WD to full time 4WD or locked 4WD and back again while the Challenger is traveling at up to 100 km/h. Third, the Challenger's Double Wishbone Suspension, with a tough leaf spring design and stabilizer bars on both ends, minimizes vibration and enhances control.

For off-road, these features are complemented by a body structure that reduces vibration, and skid plates that act as underside armor against hostile surfaces. When gliding back into the sophisticated city environment, the Challenger's roomy, ergonomically designed interior provides superior comfort, style and convenience. Of course, whether in town or country, there may be a need for plenty of cargo space, and in a variety of layouts. The Challenger's cargo capacity put some small vans to shame. The 60/40 split rear seat allows awkwardly shaped cargo to be carried while retaining seating for one, two or three passengers. Whether urban or suburban or deep in the wilds, the Challenger can accommodate.

The Challenger's safety features should provide peace of mind. The front air bags, steel safety-cage construction, built-in crumple zones and a side door impact bar all add to that important margin of safety. But prevention is always better than cure, which is why every 4WD Challenger features 4-wheel disc brakes and the Multi-Mode Anti-lock Braking System.

The Challenger is marketed outside of Japan with a variety of different specification packages under various names. For example, in some Central and South American markets it is known as the Nativa while in Europe as either the Pajero Sport or the Montero Sport.