Mitsubishi celebrates 100 years of history and 80 years of experience in 4x4

For some time now, the crossover market has been dominated by SUVs, a type of vehicle that prioritises versatility. They achieve this with a fine balance between comfort for travelling and off-road capability. However, some of the longest-established brands in this segment still offer pure 4x4s, that is, vehicles that remain faithful to the original idea behind these cars. One of them is, without a doubt, Mitsubishi, which is currently celebrating.

The Japanese firm has just turned 100, making it one of the longest-standing brands in the motor industry. At the same time, it has 80 years of experience in the world of 4x4s and all-wheel drive, which makes it one of the most experienced companies in that field. Over time, it has managed to perfectly unite the concepts of SUV and 4×4, something that deserves admiration. But to understand this, it is necessary to look back at the history of Mitsubishi.

To do so, we must go back to 1936, when the Mitsubishi PX33 was unveiled, a prototype that was declared the first vehicle from the brand to incorporate an all-wheel drive system. The vehicle had a petrol engine and was tested under various extreme conditions, which it overcame without any problem. However, the project was not carried out, as the Japanese firm considered that it was too early.

Seventeen years later, Mitsubishi reached an agreement with Jeep. In 1953, the first licensed Jeep was built in Japan thanks to the brand’s collaboration with Willys Overland Corporation. It became known as the Mitsubishi Jeep J3 and remained in production until 1998. Without a doubt, it was a huge success, but the Japanese firm wanted to follow its own path.

Mitsubishi began developing its own four-wheel drive system, which debuted with the Mitsubishi Forte in 1980. It was the brand’s first pick-up and was a revolution, as it combined features suited to private use with those for industrial use. The Forte marked a before and after in the history of Mitsubishi, as it set the course for the future Pajero.

But the Japanese firm’s success did not stop there. In 1982 the Pajero arrived, better known as the Montero in Spain. Its success was overwhelming and this vehicle found its way into countless homes, and it would go on to define the style of Mitsubishi’s current models. Furthermore, it was also a landmark in the world of motorsport, as the brand competed with the Pajero in the Dakar Rally.

We must not forget one of the brand’s most iconic and beloved vehicles, the Lancer Evolution. It is true that this model was not an off-roader, but it did feature a very effective all-wheel drive system. The Lancer Evolution was derived directly from a rally model and became a successful vehicle, whose life has been extended over the years.

Mitsubishi has continued the legacy left by all its vehicles over the years and has been able to keep developing worthy vehicles. This is something we saw with the Outlander, which was launched in 2012 and showed how a balance between comfort and off-road capability is possible.