The new Mitsubishi Pajero will arrive in Australian showrooms in December with a range of locally developed accessories designed to make the large SUV more capable for towing, off-road driving and demanding Australian conditions.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia has confirmed that 20 locally developed accessories will be available from launch, including Australian-made front protection bars, towing equipment and off-road accessories.
For fleet buyers operating in regional and remote areas, the focus on integrating accessories during vehicle development could provide benefits for safety, durability and fit-for-purpose vehicle selection.
Australian engineers involved from the start
Mitsubishi’s Australian accessories engineering team began working with its Japanese counterparts in early 2022, almost five years before the vehicle’s local launch.
Rather than developing accessories after the vehicle was completed, the team worked on mounting points, wiring, structural requirements and compatibility with vehicle technology during the design process.
Steve Pearson, Mitsubishi Motors Australia’s Engineering Manager, Accessory Development, said Australian conditions demanded more than cosmetic upgrades.
“Australians ask a lot of their four-wheel drives. They tow caravans, travel off-road and cover enormous distances, so our accessories must be more than cosmetic additions. They need to be engineered as part of the vehicle experience,” Pearson said.
Bullbars that retain safety technology
One of the major achievements is the development of Australian-made steel front protection bars, available in hooped and hoopless designs.
Importantly, Mitsubishi says both versions retain the full functionality of the Pajero’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
This is particularly relevant for fleet operators fitting bullbars to vehicles used in regional areas, where maintaining the effectiveness of factory safety systems is an important consideration.
“The Front Protection Bar projects really demonstrated what local accessory engineering can achieve. We wanted something genuinely tough and functional, but we also knew from the beginning that it had to work with Pajero’s driver assistance technology,” Pearson said.
Towing capability built into the design
Mitsubishi has also worked on integrating the towing package into the vehicle’s structure, including frame reinforcement and modifications to accommodate the towbar.
The genuine towing package will support a weight distribution hitch and various off-road couplings, providing additional flexibility for customers towing trailers and caravans.
For fleet operators, the engineering approach could be particularly useful for vehicles required to tow equipment or operate in remote locations.
Accessories ready from launch
The Australian-developed accessory range includes front protection bars, nudge bars, a snorkel, roof rack, under-ride protection, side protection bars, winch cradle, driving lamps and towing equipment.
All locally developed accessories have been designed by Australian companies and Australia-based engineers, with several components also manufactured locally.
Mitsubishi says genuine accessories fitted before vehicle delivery are covered by its standard five-year/100,000km new-car warranty. Eligible vehicles can receive coverage of up to 10 years or 200,000km, subject to Mitsubishi’s extended warranty conditions, including dealership servicing.
For fleet managers, having accessories available through the dealer network from launch may simplify vehicle procurement, particularly when ordering vehicles that require protection equipment or towing accessories before entering service.
