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© JAMES TAYLOR
Editor: Land Rover Enthusiast Magazine
Background
Mitsubishi had built a version of the CJ Jeep under licence since the Fifties, but the Shogun was their first attempt at a dual-purpose off-roader. They designed both SWB and LWB versions, the SWB aimed at the weekend fun market and the LWB aimed at a market they had identified for a family estate car with 4x4 attributes at a price below that of the Range Rover. The Shogun (known as a Pajero in most overseas markets and as a Montero in the USA) was announced in Japan in 1982.
It came to Britain a year later, initially in SWB form only and initially wearing the Colt badges then used by its importer. The LWB models followed in 1984, and quickly hit the bullseye of their target market. The British importers reacted swiftly to customer preferences, fine-tuning the model mix to give maximum appeal, and by 1987 the LWB Shogun had become the definitive suburban 4x4. It was the best-selling family 4x4 of the Eighties, losing its crown only when the Land Rover Discovery appeared on the scene.
The Shogun always had a conventional ladder-frame chassis, but it broke new ground in the 4x4 world with its independent front suspension. This had twin wishbones and torsion bars, and gave ride and handling characteristics which were uncommonly good for a big 4x4 in the early to middle Eighties. It also had a chain-driven transfer box which ensured that transmission noise levels were low, and it pioneered automatic gearboxes with diesel engines in this area of the market.
The Shogun has few disadvantages. However, its unadventurously boxy styling has not dated well and is seen as a drawback by some buyers; also the high-roof LWB models available between 1985 and 1987 make the vehicle too tall for many multi-storey car parks and domestic garages.
Character summary
Despite an impressive track record in long-distance desert rallies like the Paris-Dakar, the Shogun's ruggedness takes second place to its docility and refinement. The LWB models are spacious and make extremely good towing vehicles: the Turbodiesel has won magazine awards for its towing ability in Britain. In general, they make excellent family transport.
Performance summary
High performance never was the Shogun's strong suit, and the favourite turbodiesel models ore only adequate in this respect, despite their strong midrange acceleration; even the V6 petrol models are not really very fast. The vehicle's main attraction has always been that it feels much like a car to drive. The controls are light, the handling forgiving and the ride in the LWB models reasonable if rather firm. The final coil-sprung examples are best in the ride department; all SWB models have a rather more agitated ride than their LWB equivalents.
The main disadvantage is restricted rearward vision, caused by the externally-stowed spare wheel, the rear head restraints (which are removable) and by the stowage position of the rearmost seats on LWB models (although these can, of course, be lowered out of the way).
Off-road, the SWB Shogun is a very capable vehicle, despite the limitations of its independent front suspension. The LWB models are rather less impressive in the rough, mainly because of their longer wheelbases.
Reliability, weaknesses, spares
The biggest problem which afflicts early examples of the first-generation Shogun is rust. Rust protection was improved during 1986, but weak spots on early vehicles include the door bottoms, wheelarches and bonnet leading edge. Rust also tends to break out around holes where the bodywork has been drilled for accessories (such as lamp guards).
Interior trim is generally quite tough, but seat covers can sometimes split. Mechanical problems are uncommon. Engines are good for high mileages, but turbodiesels can crack cylinder heads (a problem usually betrayed by overheating). Turbochargers are normally reliable, but can wear if the recommended service oil changes are neglected. Gearboxes are robust in themselves, but often develop vibration and whine at high mileages.
Spares are readily available through the Mitsubishi dealer network. As with many Japanese vehicles, prices can high: as so little goes wrong with the Shogun, few replacement parts are needed and consequently their cost cannot be kept down. There is no aftermarket support for Mitsubishi products in the UK
Resale values
Despite the introduction in 1991 of replacement models, the first-generation Shoguns have retained firm resale values. The best bets are long-wheelbase family estates, particularly with the turbodiesel and V6 petrol engines. Values will probably remain quite firm until large quantities of the newer models are available on the used vehicle market.
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