| Mitsubishi Pajero Sport The current generation of all-wheel drive 5-door SUV was introduced in the fall of 1999. In 2005, an updated version of the machine appeared. Engines: 3.0 liter gasoline (170 hp) and 2.5 liter turbodiesel (100 hp). Transmissions: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic. Options: Inform, Instyle, Intense. Price: $ 31, 490–40, 490. Test car: 3 liters, 170 hp, 4-speed automatic transmission, Intense equipment, $ 40, 490. |
Here is a detailed legend, that is, a route of movement where traditional signs and interchanges quickly give way to less familiar patterns. You turn over a couple of pages, and there: “from arable land along the edge of the forest”, “attention, ravine” and so on. And the tracks, apparently, immediately become rollicking. In general, go to … rally-raid.
We are going to Kolomna, in the vicinity of which not so long ago a similar competition took place. Then there motors growled seriously, and the best racers figured out which of them is the most-most. Our task is more modest: to test the Mitsubishi all-terrain vehicles in conditions close to the “combat” ones. Moreover, this class of cars is changing, becoming more vulnerable and coddled.
OLD HORSE
Time-tested machines have their own energy. It seemed the era of Mitsubishi Pajero Sport / Pajero Sport was approaching sunset. And I met an old friend - it turned out that the "smoking room" was alive! Moreover, its classic silhouette is quite up to date. The lack of nowadays "architectural excesses" gives the car lightness, hotness, despite its solid dimensions. From the design it blows with the quality factor, well-thought-out qualities that are so necessary for a real "rogue". Frame, a rather "flexible" 3-liter gasoline engine, limited slip differential in the rear axle. Do not forget the Easy Select transmission with a rigidly connected front axle and the complete absence of auxiliary electronics. The result is a real "fighter" who confidently feels himself primarily off-road.
As for the promised cosmetic changes - they are almost invisible. A two-tone body color has gone into the past, new tubular footboards have been added. It is outside.
In search of differences inside, you also need to train your memory. After all, a strict, discreet interior remained primarily comfortable and again solid.
It is felt that the creators sought to simplify the functions of various switches and levers as much as possible. Nothing extra. Therefore, you get hungry with the machine immediately, without mutual sharing.
Gripping steering wheel, adjustable only in height, distinct pedals. Logical and unsophisticated levers of the “machine” and the transfer case. And here is the novelty: an updated front panel and bright instrument scales. To them combined upholstery of spacious and comfortable seats. That, in fact, is all. We are comfortable. Of course, there’s not much free space. Overhead because of the hatch rib, it is quite cramped - an indirect reminder of the lack of modernity. Let's hit the road!
WITH THE WIND
Behind Moscow traffic jams, the first fussy bindings of the legend to mileage. The speedometer needle seems to have frozen in the position of "a little over a hundred." And the box lever is near the “D” index, that is, “drive”. In the rear-view mirrors, the lights of our marathon colleagues sometimes flash. At these moments, we literally feel what it means with the “breeze”: the photographer strives to open the glass, or even the door, filling the interior with the sounds of the road. This is where you realize how comfortable you were half a minute ago: soft music competed with the grumbling V-shaped “six”, the noise of winter tires seemed rustling. A climate system filled the interior with warmth and comfort.
Very quickly there is a complete understanding with the machine. Together we are like more than one thousand kilometers. The weighted character of control, the "machine" that understands you perfectly. A convenient, high-torque motor does not show supernatural agility, but it does a good job. Pendants - comfortable from the position of an off-road vehicle.
Daring and courageous
And here is the ground, or rather, inconspicuous exit in the field. Well, now here we are … The transfer case lever to the “4WD” position, since the transmission allows you to switch on the go. A bold leap … Alas, a light frost took the ground, so you can even go here on the "Lada".
The route becomes richer: pits, icy ruts, insidious field paths, from which you must choose the right one. I was a little distracted, lost my guiding lines - and left for nowhere, to the next village or country house. Here the energy intensity of the suspensions makes itself felt. They shake, of course, tangibly, but meekly withstand all road collisions.
A short rest - exit to the asphalt. And immediately an interesting observation: when driving in low gears, the adaptive gearbox “split up” so much that it now reacts very slowly to the accelerator. We have to cheer up "Sport" with several accelerations "to the floor", and again all the relationships become logical.
With a nasty creak, the branches of the bush scrub on the body. There is no escape from the deep forest rut. The gear lever has long been in low gear, crawling carefully, but you can hear loud bumps on the ground. It's a pity for the car, but this is the route, since the land has not yet completely frozen. Ahead is the clearance - along the edge of the ravine we get out into the meadow.
Following is a series of water obstacles that Pajero overcame effortlessly. One feels here he is in his element. The hood, the bumper were icy, the number was broken, which could not stand the pressure of water. But the car kilometer by kilometer confidently moves forward, convincing of its capabilities. And this is important when you are alone with nature and a machine that allows a lot.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport - THERE ARE NOT THERE REMAINING SO MUCH, “PASSERS” WHO ARE NOT AFRAID OF THE ROAD. BEFORE US ONE OF THEM.
