The wait for hard details on the returning Mitsubishi Pajero just got a lot shorter. Australian homologation documents obtained by carsales have leaked the entire 2027 Pajero range — four trim lines, GLX, GLS, Exceed and the flagship GSR, in both five- and seven-seat forms — weeks before Mitsubishi’s official global reveal. Paired with fresh teasers of the digital off-road gauges, we now have the clearest picture yet of the Gen 5 Pajero. Here’s every variant, every confirmed detail, and what it means for South Africa.
- Leaked range: GLX, GLS, Exceed and GSR — GLS and Exceed offered in five- and seven-seat; six variants approved for Australia in total.
- Expected engine: a 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel making 150 kW / 470 Nm, on the Triton’s ladder-frame, with Super Select II 4WD.
- Timing: global debut in the second half of 2026; Australian showrooms around December 2026 as a 2027 model. South African timing is not yet confirmed.
The leaked line-up: GLX, GLS, Exceed and GSR
The leak comes from vehicle-approval (homologation) paperwork filed in Australia — the kind of document a manufacturer has to lodge before it can sell a car, and one of the most reliable pre-launch sources there is. It lists six approved variants spread across four trim names, mirroring the structure Mitsubishi already uses for the Pajero Sport.
| Trim | Seating | What we expect |
|---|---|---|
| GLX | 5-seat | The entry point. Reports suggest it may go without Super Select II full-time 4WD to hit a price. |
| GLS | 5- or 7-seat | The volume-seller mid-grade, in both configurations. |
| Exceed | 5- or 7-seat | The luxury grade, also offered five- or seven-up. |
| GSR | 7-seat | The flagship — expected to get the full Super Select II system with torque vectoring and yaw control. |
If those names sound familiar, they should — GLX, GLS, Exceed and GSR are long-running Mitsubishi grade badges, and the return of GSR as the halo variant is a deliberate nod to the nameplate’s sporting, Dakar-winning past.
What’s confirmed under the skin
Mitsubishi still hasn’t published official mechanical specs — the homologation papers cover variants, not outputs — but the reporting across multiple outlets now lines up consistently:
| Item | Expected / reported |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4-litre bi-turbo (twin-turbo) four-cylinder diesel |
| Power / torque | ~150 kW / 470 Nm |
| Transmission | Automatic (reports differ between 6- and 8-speed) |
| Drivetrain | Super Select II 4WD (GSR adds torque vectoring & yaw control) |
| Platform | Body-on-frame ladder chassis, shared with the current Triton |
| Suspension | Model-specific tune for improved on-road comfort |
The important takeaway for enthusiasts: this is a proper body-on-frame off-roader, not a softened crossover. The Triton underpinnings, the diesel, and Super Select II are exactly the ingredients that made the Pajero a Southern African favourite in the first place.
The digital Multi Meter is back
Alongside the range leak, Mitsubishi has been teasing the Gen 5’s party piece: a modern, digital revival of the classic dash-top Multi Meter off-road gauge pod. The teased display reads out altitude, compass heading, outside temperature, vehicle pitch and roll angle (the inclinometer), and real-time left-to-right torque distribution across the axles. Mitsubishi hasn’t confirmed whether it lives in the instrument cluster or the central screen, but the round-dial styling deliberately echoes the analogue pods of the Gen 2 and Gen 3.
For the full background on that gauge cluster and why it matters, see our piece on the new Pajero’s off-road gauges.
“The brand’s premium flagship”
Mitsubishi Australia’s General Manager of Product Strategy and PR has described the new Pajero as “the brand’s premium flagship” — and the leaked spread of luxury Exceed and sporty GSR grades backs that up. Expect a hi-tech, premium cabin a clear step above the Pajero Sport, positioning the full-size Pajero against the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Ford Everest and Nissan Patrol rather than the mid-size crowd.
When does it launch?
- Global reveal: held on 2 September 2026.
- Australia: showrooms around December 2026, badged as a 2027 model — and notably ahead of the US market.
- South Africa: no local date confirmed yet, but the same 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel is reported to arrive here first in the updated Triton, which usually signals the Pajero isn’t far behind.
What it means for South Africa
South Africa has always been Pajero country, and everything in this leak points to a strong local fit: a torque-rich diesel with real range, a ladder-frame chassis built for corrugated gravel and long-distance touring, and Super Select II for everything from Highveld tar to Kalahari sand. The seven-seat GLS, Exceed and GSR grades slot straight into the family-4×4 segment the Toyota Fortuner and Everest dominate here. We’ll update the moment Mitsubishi South Africa confirms local grades, pricing and timing — for the SA-specific outlook, see our 2026 Pajero South Africa guide.
And there’s more to come
The homologation filing hints the Pajero will grow into a family of models rather than a single SUV. Mitsubishi Australia has also signalled it’s weighing hotter Ralliart (and possibly “Raider”) performance variants for the future, while longer-term speculation includes a smaller Pajero and even a revived three-door — though nothing like that is expected before the end of the decade.
Frequently asked questions
What variants will the 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero have?
Leaked Australian homologation documents list four trims — GLX, GLS, Exceed and the flagship GSR — across six approved variants. GLS and Exceed are offered in both five- and seven-seat form, with GLX as a five-seater and GSR as a seven-seater.
What engine does the new Pajero have?
It is expected to use a 2.4-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel producing around 150 kW and 470 Nm, driving through Super Select II 4WD and an automatic transmission (reports differ on whether it’s a 6- or 8-speed). Official figures will follow the global reveal.
When does the new Pajero launch?
Mitsubishi is expected to reveal the new Pajero globally in the second half of 2026, with Australian showrooms around December 2026 as a 2027 model. A South African launch date has not been confirmed.
What is the Pajero’s digital Multi Meter?
The Multi Meter is the Pajero’s off-road instrument display — a digital revival of the classic dash-top gauge pod. The teased version reads altitude, compass heading, outside temperature, pitch and roll angle, and real-time front-to-rear torque distribution.
Will the new Pajero come to South Africa?
Mitsubishi hasn’t officially confirmed a South African launch, but the 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel is reported to arrive locally in the updated Triton, and South Africa has received every previous Pajero generation — so a local launch is widely expected.
What is the Pajero GSR?
GSR is the leaked flagship grade of the 2027 Pajero range — a seven-seater expected to feature the full Super Select II 4WD system with torque vectoring and yaw control, plus the most premium cabin in the line-up.
Sources
- carsales — 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero range leaked
- The Rural — Mitsubishi Pajero is ready to rumble
- The Citizen — next-gen Pajero’s digital off-road display
- CAR magazine — new off-road gauges teased
- AutoIndustriya — GSR & Exceed variants report
This is a developing story based on leaked homologation documents and manufacturer teasers; specifications are unconfirmed until Mitsubishi’s official reveal. For the full background, read New Pajero 2026: Everything We Know.