The legend is back, they say. And after a long absence from Malaysian soil, the Mitsubishi Pajero was launched this evening at the Carcosa. This fourth-generation model isn’t just the tough, no nonsense jungle basher as many remember it to be, but a 4X4 that combines go-anywhere ability with luxury.

We’ve driven it already, but if you missed that test drive report, the Pajero is powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine with 250 PS and 329 Nm of torque, made at 2,750 rpm. This SOHC engine with MIVEC is paired to an INVECS-II five-speed automatic gearbox with Sports mode manual override.

Power is laid down to the surface via Mitsu’s Super Select 4WD II system. SS4-II offers four driver selectaable modes for various road conditions – 2H mode for the best economy, 4H mode for better traction, 4HLc with locked centre differential (equal power to all four wheels) and 4LLc, which is like 4HLc plus low range gears for you to crawl out of the most extreme situations. 4H is the standard operating mode (default torque split is 33:67) and the three high range modes can be shifted “on the fly” at speeds up to 100 km/h.

The Pajero’s Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC) uses a network of sensors to collect real time data and monitor the vehicle status and steering angle. This data is then used to regulate brake force and drive torque for individual wheels to improve handling and stability. ASTC is integrated with Multi-mode ABS and EBD. The Pajero comes with front, side and curtain airbags.

The equipment highlight is a Rockford Acoustic Design sound system with 12 speakers, 860-watt amplifier, digital signal processor and a 5.1 channel theatre surround. The centre stack also houses a centre information display that shows fuel economy, elevation, compass, outside temperature, a calendar and customisable clock, among other things.

Other standard kit include leather seats (fronts are powered), automatic climate control, rear air con with roof and floor vents for second and third row occupants, sunroof, cruise control, keyless entry, auto levelling HID headlamps with washer, 18-inch alloys, aluminium pedals plus automatic lights and wipers. This CBU from Japan Pajero is priced at RM289,980 OTR with insurance, which is reasonable compared to other SUVs with big engines sold here.

Live images from the launch after the jump.
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Readers of this blog would already know that the Mitsubishi Pajero is coming back to Malaysia, and Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has confirmed that the launch is set for the end of this month. Order books are open as we type.

As revealed in our test drive report, Malaysia will get the highest spec Pajero available with a 3.8-litre V6 MIVEC engine paired to a five-speed automatic with manual mode. The seven seater will feature a 12-speaker, 5.1 channel Rockford Fosgate sound system and all the off-road hardware you’ll ever need, among other kit.

“We at Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia are excited at the prospect of the Pajero returning to this market. It hasn’t been officially available for a long time, but many Malaysians still recognize and have high regard for the Pajero name, which is truly legendary. Today’s Pajero is a complete package blending robustness and go-anywhere ability with luxury and comfort, and it’s a great addition to Mitsubishi range of cars here in Malaysia,” said Tetsuya Oda, the new CEO of MMM.

Click here to see and read more about the Pajero.

As previously mentioned in our Pajero review, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) is a very busy company, with few fully imported offerings slated for launch from now till the end of 2010. The Pajero will make its debut this month, and it has been announced that the ASX compact crossover will join MMM’s local range in the fourth quarter of this year.

“The ASX, Mitsubishi Motors’ latest global model, has been very well accepted in the major markets it has been launched in, among motoring experts and customers alike. We’ve been working hard to bring this model to Malaysia, and I’m happy to announce that the ASX will arrive soon,” revealed Tetsuya Oda, the new CEO of MMM.

“One of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s main targets is to provide Malaysians with a wide range of cars, and I’m confident that the trendy and stylish ASX will be well received by the discerning Malaysian market,” he added.

The ASX was unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, but the world had already seen the Japanese market RVR in February, which is essentially the same car (it will be called Outlander Sport in some markets). Mitsubishi says that the concept here is “Smart Size” – more compact than a typical C-segment SUV, but upsized from a typical B-segment compact car – and that the ASX combines the best sedan and SUV qualities into one package.

The ASX, which stands for “Active Smart X-over” (X-over pronounced as crossover), will be imported from Japan. It will be powered by the 4B11 2.0-litre MIVEC engine as found in the Lancer. MMM says that it puts out 150 PS and 197 Nm of torque, which is slightly lower than in the Lancer, so perhaps there’s some engine tuning specific to this application.

Expect a CVT gearbox with manual mode and 2WD – the ASX, which shares underpinnings with the Outlander (not sold here), is designed as a urban crossover and has no off road pretensions.

Look after the jump for some shots of the ASX already in Malaysia thanks to reader Zulfadli.
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Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia are having a promotion for the Raya season. For a limited time only, anyone who books and registers the Lancer, Grandis, Triton and Pajero Sport will be rewarded with a Raya Bonus of up to RM3,000.

Other than that, customers will also receive a free exclusive Mitsubishi jacket and a 2 year Free Maintenance Package* which includes parts and labor costs.

Parts that are covered include the Engine Oil, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, Air Cleaner, Brake Fluid, Coolant, Differential Oil and Transmission Oil. The parts change schedule will follow the recommended scheduled service.

This complements the existing 5 year warranty for all Mitsubishi models except for the Pajero Sport and Triton which carries a 3 year warranty. *The 2-year free maintenance package is not applicable to Triton Lite.

Also, all Mitsubishi owners will enjoy a 20% discount on selected parts at Mitsubishi service centers from the 23rd of August 2010 to the 30th of September 2010. Owners will also be able to pick up an exclusive golf umbrella, while stocks last.

For more info, visit the Mitsubishi Motors website or your nearest Mitsubishi Motors showroom. You can also call 03-76222202 to reach the customer care line.

* – Not applicable to Triton Lite.

This black real proper Mitsubishi Pajero (not the Pajero Sport) was spotted by Jack, a friend of mine. It had trade plates but didn’t have any form of disguise on it. Before you dismiss this as just another grey imported Pajero out for a test drive, notice that this particular black car that’s in focus is parked between in the middle of a whole row of other Mitsubishi vehicles including another Pajero with some kind of cream paintjob, a Grandis, and a Lancer. So it’s likely that this is going to be a future Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia offering.