Australian-developed and manufactured accessories will feature heavily when the new Mitsubishi Pajero launches here later this year, with locally-developed items available from day one.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia’s engineering team began work on the range almost five years ago, building on the company’s history of local accessory development that dates back to its vehicle manufacturing days.

The accessories will be sold as Mitsubishi Genuine Accessories and are covered by the brand’s warranty. Items fitted before a new vehicle is delivered are covered by the standard five-year/100,000km new car warranty. Eligible vehicles can receive up to 10 years/200,000km of coverage, provided all scheduled servicing is carried out by a Mitsubishi dealer. The extended warranty also covers Genuine Accessories.

The locally-developed items will form part of a broader accessory range available when the Pajero arrives in Australian showrooms.

Australian accessory development

Steve Pearson, MMAL’s Engineering Manager for Accessory Development, has overseen the transition to the new Pajero, drawing on more than 35 years with Mitsubishi across manufacturing, body design and accessory engineering, as well as decades of four-wheel-driving experience across Australia.

“Pajero has been part of my entire career. I bought my first one in the early-1990s, and I’ve spent decades travelling Australia in Pajeros, Challengers and Pajero Sports,” Pearson said.

The Australian accessories team began working with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) on the new Pajero program in early 2022, helping shape the vehicle around the requirements of locally developed accessories. That work included identifying the need for pre-wiring, mounting points and structural changes to accommodate items such as protection bars and towing equipment before the vehicle reached production.

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“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.

“So the core of our role is to understand what Australian customers need, work with MMC and our suppliers to find the right engineering solution and make sure the finished accessory works with the vehicle rather than against it.”

Early access to computer-aided design (CAD) data also allowed the team to develop local accessory concepts before physical vehicles were available.

“The next phase is vital; it’s the face-to-face engineering work that we conduct at MMC’s Okazaki R&D facility in Japan,” Pearson said.

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“These visits, with access to the physical cars and the MMC engineering team years ahead of launch enable us to fit and test prototype accessories to assess marketability, functionality, practicality and durability aligned with the vehicle development schedule.

“From there, we can then work with specialist suppliers to translate the concepts into production-quality parts that balance engineering, regulatory, durability, design and manufacturing considerations… all with the customer outcome at the forefront.”

One of the key outcomes is a pair of Australian-developed and manufactured steel front protection bars, available in hooped and hoopless designs. Both retain the Pajero’s full advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) functionality.

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“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.

“That solution required us to work with MMC, the styling team, the accessory supplier and the technology suppliers from the project’s infancy. That early collaboration is what has allowed us to bring those different requirements together for a FPB that looks tough and does its job, with no compromise to the Pajero’s active safety systems. Another point of pride is that the FPB is manufactured in Australia,” he said.

The towing package was another major focus, with the Australian team working with MMC to make changes to the vehicle structure to accommodate local towing requirements.

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“The tow bar might not be the most glamorous accessory, but from an engineering perspective it is something we are incredibly proud of,” Pearson explained.

That work included reinforcing the frame and modifying the tow bar mounting points to ensure the finished package integrates properly with the vehicle.

“With the close collaboration, we could look beyond simply designing a tow bar and work with MMC on its vehicle accommodation. That means Australian customers will have a genuine towing solution designed around the way they use their vehicles.

“We can now offer a genuine weight distribution hitch, and our solution also supports the various off-road couplings touring Australians now demand,” he said.

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What accessories will be offered at launch?

Australian-developed accessories

  • Driving lamps
  • Electric brake harness
  • Front protection bar (hooped)
  • Front protection bar (hoopless)
  • Headlamp protector
  • Hood protectors (clear, tinted and matte black with integrated Pajero logo)
  • LED light bar
  • Nudge bar (black)
  • Nudge bar (polished)
  • Roof rack
  • Side protection bar
  • Snorkel
  • Towbar
  • Towbar harness
  • Under-ride protection
  • Weight distribution hitch
  • Winch cradle

Which ones are manufactured in Australia?

  • Driving lamps
  • Front protection bar (hooped)
  • Front protection bar (hoopless)
  • Headlamp protector
  • Hood protectors
  • Weight distribution hitch
  • Winch cradle

FAQs

How much will the new Mitsubishi Pajero cost in Australia?

Prices start at $68,490 for the five-seat GLS, rising to $84,990 for the flagship GSR (all RRPs).

When does the new Mitsubishi Pajero arrive in Australia?

The new Pajero is expected in Australian showrooms from December 2026.

Does the new Pajero have low range and a rear diff lock?

Yes. All variants get a low-range transfer case, rear differential lock and Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II system.

How much can the new Mitsubishi Pajero tow?

All variants have a 3500kg braked towing capacity. Payload, towball download and GCM figures are yet to be confirmed.

What engine does the new Mitsubishi Pajero use?

It gets a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 150kW and 480Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

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