Forget the mini Toyota LandCruiser FJ and 2026 Suzuki Jimny: Mini Mitsubishi Pajero takes shape as tough little 4WD with production firming for next year

A mini 4WD revolution is underway with a wave of cut-price, cute and capable off-roaders in the works.

The Suzuki Jimny is a red hot seller in Australia and there has been countless rumours — and now a patent filing — of the new little Toyota FJ LandCruiser, but now Mitsubishi is believed to be joining the tiny 4WD party.

Japanese magazine Best Car, which is well known for its sources inside Japan's car industry, has spilled its latest information on the potential tiny off-road terror.

It is believed the next mini Pajero will follow in the footsteps of the little Pajero iO and full-size Pajero and use a car platform rather than a rugged ladder frame found underneath the Suzuki Jimny and other 4WDs such as the Toyota Prado or Nissan Patrol.

This monocoque construction would essentially split the difference between a rough and tumble off-road wagon and city car — not unlike Toyota’s first-gen RAV4.

Best Car's source said: "Rather than competing with the Jimny, we are creating a new light SUV that is not currently available on the market.”

Best Car states the Mini Pajero project was believed to be dead, but the success of the Delica Mini van has inspired the company to apply the same principal to one of its most storied nameplates.

The belief is the mini Pajero would be built on the shared Nissan and Mitsubishi kei car platform that spawns vehicles such as the Nissan Roox, Mitsubishi eK and Mitsubishi Delica Mini.

That points to micro dimensions at less than 3400mm long and 1480mm wide and a hybrid set-up with no more than 47kW.

There is also an expectation a new full-size Pajero is around the corner as part of the company’s Momentum 2030 plan, which would see an overhaul of its entire line-up to suit the electrified era.

It is expected this model will be based on the new Triton, which means a rugged ladder-frame chassis and the brand’s capable 4WD set-up.

The chances of a future Pajero were strengthened by comments from Mitsubishi Australia boss, Shaun Westcott, to CarsGuide earlier this year.

Westcott said Mitsubishi’s intention was to provide people with vehicles that will help them explore Australia.

“The future is very much focused towards off-road adventure, four-wheel drive, SUV, large SUV in the portfolio. We’d like to see all of them.

“So in that 2030 plan you’ll see the outline or the silhouette of a large SUV. And I know there have been some spy photos, some of you guys have picked them up, of the Pajero Sport replacements running around in mule form.

“We are doing a lot of work on a lot of platforms and a lot of models, so that 2030 Momentum plan includes a number of new products that you’ve seen the silhouette of that we are working on. There’s a lot happening at the moment,” he said.

So the door is open to a two-pronged Pajero line-up in the future.