Although Mitsubishi used to make many high-performance cars, its current lineup isn’t very exciting. But the Lancer Evolution is the one that everyone knows. There is also a Pajero Evolution. This SUV was made just for the Paris-Dakar race and had to meet certain requirements. The words “Mitsubishi” and “Evolution” make most car fans think of sliding rally cars with turbocharged engines and a deep sense of sadness that the company no longer makes anything like that. Mitsu’s special homologation wasn’t just for the Lancer. Here’s a two-door SUV with a roof that looks like Batman’s and a chassis built to handle high-speed driving in the Sahara. Another site, Bring a Trailer, has a 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution for sale. It has V-6 power and strong durability, both improved by competing in some of the toughest off-road races in the world. About 2700 were made, and it is just as performance-oriented as its Lancer EVO cousin. From 1985 to 2007, the Pajero won twelve Paris-Dakar Rallys, making it the most successful vehicle. The version of this homologation special that could go on the road was released in 1997 and easily won the 1998 event. Power comes from a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with four valves per cylinder and a variable-speed transmission. When it was brand-new, it had a five-speed automatic transmission and 276 horsepower. A locking center differential, front and back limited-slip differentials, and four-wheel drive were all standard on the car. The big, box-flared shape and flying parts of this sport-ute make its purpose clear. This is especially true for the silver paint on this one. They perform like they were made for off-road races and look great like they did in the golden age of JDM. These Pajeros are durable and fun to collect. If you overwork a supercharged four-cylinder engine, it might make you think twice, but a V-6 engine designed to last through the desert won’t. The mileage on this model is 135,000 miles. With its current line of all-SUVs, Mitsubishi might consider returning to off-road racing. In the meantime, you can buy a Paris-Dakar winner from a time when the three-diamond star meant success.
