Mitsubishi’s Triton and Pajero Score Top Marks in Overlander Magazine’s ‘Class of 2009’ Awards
Overlander Magazine takes a long-term perspective when evaluating four-wheel drive vehicles for its acclaimed annual awards. Rather than simply considering those which are either all-new or significantly revised in the past calendar year, the judges rate all current vehicles.
The Mitsubishi NT Pajero Di-D had already won the Best Value for Money category for four consecutive years before receiving significant revisions. Changes to the engine and gearbox, new noise reduction technology and enhanced appointments made the Pajero a clear front-runner to win this category again. And so it was that the 2008 Pajero was judged to be Overlander’s Best Value for Money 4WD for the fifth time running.
Acknowledging the importance of the revisions, editor Trent Nikolic said it also came close to knocking the Prado off its pedestal as the Best Medium Wagon (Diesel).
“The engine’s willing performance is matched by a chassis that offers the sort of high-speed dynamics that most Japanese four-wheel drives can only dream about,” he added. That chassis has benefitted from years of Dakar experience.
The Pajero was joined in the Overlander honours by the Triton Di-D Double Cab which was named Best Diesel Ute. This victory is largely attributable to Mirsubishi’s revolutionary Super-Select system which allows drivers to switch between two-wheel and four-wheel drive mode on the fly, as well as the availability of side and curtain airbags on dual-cab Tritons.
Safety was a make or break issue in the ute category of this year’s awards according to Nikolic. Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) Vice President of Brand and Marketing, Paul Unerkov, was pleased to see the Triton and Pajero gain recognition in these awards.
“To be named in Overlander Magazine’s prestigious annual awards gives Mitsubishi a great sense of pride. Against every four-wheel drive on the market, both the Triton and the Pajero were named the best in their respective categories for their strength, safety, style and value,” said Unerkov.
The stronger, safer and more manoeuvrable Triton range in a choice of four engines, in either single or double cab, and the legendary Pajero with more power, efficiency and style are available from over 200 Mitsubishi dealerships nationwide.
