Why is the Mitsubishi Pajero called the Mountain Cat?
2 Answers
The original English name of the Mitsubishi Pajero is derived from the Pampas-cat, a feline that is the top predator on the grasslands, symbolizing fierceness, wildness, and agility. These attributes perfectly describe Mitsubishi's off-road vehicles, which are built to survive in adversity and designed for adventure. Below is some relevant information about the Pajero: The first-generation prototype of the Pajero was the L series from 1982 to 1990; the second-generation Pajero was the V series from 1991 to 1999; and the third-generation Pajero V series has been in production since September 1999. Today, it has evolved and branched into four main categories: the original off-road Pajero V series, the SUV sports Pajero SPORT, the compact SUV leisure Pajero iO, and the mini SUV leisure Pajero MINI.
I remember the first time I drove the Pajero off-road and immediately understood why it's called the 'Mountain Cat.' It was during the Dakar Rally, where the Mitsubishi team won seven consecutive championships with this vehicle. Old-school fans know it maneuvers through sand dunes as nimbly as a lynx. The mountain cat, scientifically known as Lynx, thrives in high-altitude wilderness. The Pajero's Super Select 4WD system makes climbing rocky slopes feel like driving on flat ground, while its full-time 4WD with a central differential lock ensures stability even in snow or mud. With a ground clearance of 220mm—far exceeding most SUVs—its tires grip the terrain firmly when scaling steep slopes, much like a lynx digging its sharp claws into rock walls. Once, I drove it along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, and even during heavy rain through landslide-prone sections, it handled with unshakable composure, truly living up to its wild and untamed name.