New Mitsubishi Pajero Coming to WA in 2026 — Ralliart Version Possible

If you've been waiting for a proper large Mitsubishi SUV to tackle WA's red dirt tracks and long highway stretches, the wait is nearly over. Mitsubishi has confirmed it will reveal its new large off-road SUV soon, with an Australian launch locked in before the end of 2026. All signs point to it wearing the Pajero badge — and there's a chance a tougher Ralliart version could follow.

What We Know About the New Pajero

Unlike the old Pajero — which ran on its own dedicated platform — this new model will share its underpinnings with the current Triton ute. That's the same strategy Mitsubishi already uses with the Pajero Sport (or used, until it was axed from Australia in 2025 after failing to meet updated autonomous emergency braking requirements under new Australian Design Rules).

Under the bonnet, expect a 2.4-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo engine carried over from the Triton. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants are expected to join the lineup later in the model's life — relevant news for WA buyers watching fuel prices at the bowser, particularly those doing long hauls between Perth and regional centres like Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, or Broome.

Could a Ralliart Version Take on the LandCruiser and Patrol?

Here's where it gets interesting for serious off-road buyers. Mitsubishi's Ralliart sub-brand has a history of producing high-performance variants — including a Pajero Evolution homologation special in the late 1990s. Mitsubishi Australia has publicly stated it's working with its Japanese parent company to bring the Ralliart brand back to our market, though no specific vehicle has been named.

"We are in ongoing discussions with them at this point in terms of the potential opportunities in the future to create a product that would be suitable, and earn the right, to the Ralliart branding," said Mitsubishi Australia's GM of product strategy and PR, Bruce Hampel.

A performance-oriented Pajero would have plenty of competition in WA showrooms. The Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series GR Sport, the Nissan Patrol Pro-4X, and the Ford Everest Tremor all offer enhanced off-road capability over their standard counterparts — most without a meaningful power increase, but with upgraded suspension, locking differentials, and trail-ready hardware that matters when you're heading beyond the bitumen.

Australian Engineering Could Play a Role

Even if a global Ralliart Pajero doesn't eventuate, Mitsubishi has shown it's willing to lean on local expertise. The upcoming Triton Raider was developed in partnership with Premcar — an Australian engineering and manufacturing firm — and features a revised suspension and damper setup alongside a suite of off-road-focused standard equipment. A similar approach for the Pajero is entirely plausible.

For WA buyers who've been making do since the Pajero Sport's exit, this is a meaningful development. Whether you're navigating Perth's outer suburbs or pointing the bonnet north on the Great Northern Highway, a properly engineered large Mitsubishi SUV with genuine off-road credentials could be a strong alternative to the usual LandCruiser or Patrol shortlist — especially if pricing comes in competitively.

More details are expected when Mitsubishi officially reveals the new model ahead of its 2026 Australian launch. We'll keep you updated as specs and pricing are confirmed.