By Steve & Tamami Laser
Mitsubishi’s Shogun Sport has returned to the UK market for the first time in more than a decade. This time around, the truck-based SUV offers all-new styling, advanced technology and safety features, off-road performance, and standard seven-passenger seating.
Shogun Sport is designed as a serious off-roader with standard Super Select II 4WD. The new SUV wears Mitsubishi’s “Dynamic Shield” front styling with a big chrome grille flanked by LED headlights. The side view features chunky flared fenders, while the rear sports distinctive LED combination lamps.
Mitsubishi says the new Shogun Sport has “incredible off-road ability” for challenging driving conditions and rugged terrain. Standard equipment includes a rear differential lock, Active Stability and Traction Control with Off-Road mode, and Hill Descent Control.
While Shogun Sport is related to Mitsubishi’s light pickup truck, it rides on a double-wishbone, coil-spring suspension up front, with a unique three-link setup with coil springs in the rear (instead of leaf springs), and is treated to larger body mounts to help reduce vibration.
Power is supplied by Mitsubishi’s aluminum-block, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder MIVEC turbodiesel engine with variable geometry turbocharger. It’s rated at 181 horses at 3,500 rpm and 430 Nm of torque from 2,400 rpm, and teamed with a new standard 8-speed automatic transmission with Sport Mode and paddle shifters.
Super Select II 4WD features a driver-selectable dial with four modes. In 2H, all power is sent the to the rear wheels. Switching to 4H (at speeds up to 62 mph) results in a 40:60 front-to-rear torque split. 4HLc locks the center differential for driving on slippery surfaces, while 4LLc engages lower gears for more challenging conditions.
Shogun Sport is also equipped with a new Terrain Control System that includes four additional driver-actuated off-road modes: Gravel, Mud/snow, Sand, and Rock. They work electronically to modulate things like throttle input, plus Active Stability and Traction Control, to help maintain momentum on varied surfaces and conditions.
Creature comforts inside the cockpit-styled cabin include premium materials and finishes with piano-black accents. Leather-trimmed seats for the first two rows are standard. Dual-zone climate control, multi-information display, Bluetooth®, push-button start and rear parking sensors are also included.
Mitsubishi’s standard Smartphone Link Display Audio for Shogun Sport includes Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™. The driver can use voice control or the 7-inch touchscreen to make or receive calls, access text messages, listen to music, and receive traffic-optimized navigation directions. A 360-degree camera is included on the top-range model.
Cargo space is rated at 502 liters with the third seat folded and the 60/40-split second-row seat in the upright position, expanding to 1,488 liters with the second-row folded.
The roster of standard safety features for Shogun Sport 4 includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Mitigation, Blind Spot Warning, and Ultrasonic Mis-Acceleration Mitigation System.
Shogun Sport (also called Pajero Sport and Montero Sport) is built by Mitsubishi Motors Thailand Co, Ltd., at its manufacturing facilities in Laem Chabang, where the automaker recently celebrated the production of five million vehicles. It currently builds about 424,000 cars, trucks, and SUVs a year in Thailand and exports to more than 120 countries.
While previous generations of the Montero Sport were sold in America, it’s unlikely that the model will return here.
Specifications and features for UK market models are subject to change without notice.
News source and photos courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK
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