The Mitsubishi Pajero iO is a mini SUV produced by the Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi between 1999 (since June 15, 1998, in three-door form, and August 24, 1998, as a five-door) and 2007.[3][4] The "iO" name is derived from the Italian for "I" which, according to Mitsubishi, "generates an image of being easy to get to know, easy to drive, and of being one's very own Pajero".

Mitsubishi Pajero iO
Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin 3-door
Overview
ManufacturerMitsubishi Motors
Also calledMitsubishi Montero iO
Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin
Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin (UK)
Mitsubishi Pinin
Mitsubishi Pajero TR4 (Brazil)
Changfeng Liebao Feiteng CFA 6400 (China)
Production1998–2007
2002–2015 (Brazil)
2003–2014 (China)
Assembly
DesignerPininfarina
Body and chassis
ClassMini SUV
Body style3/5-door SUV
Layout
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,280 mm (89.8 in) (3-door)
2,450 mm (96.5 in) (5-door)
Length3,675 mm (144.7 in) (3-door)
3,975 mm (156.5 in) (5-door)
Width1,680 mm (66.1 in)
Height1,700–1,750 mm (66.9–68.9 in)
Curb weight1,250–1,400 kg (2,760–3,090 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorMitsubishi Pajero Junior
SuccessorMitsubishi RVR/ASX/Outlander Sport

Overview

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It was exported as the Montero iO, and to Europe as the Pajero Pinin, Shogun Pinin or simply Pinin to honour Pininfarina, which built the local market versions of the car at their factory near Turin, Italy.[5] It was also produced in Brazil as the Pajero TR4 from 2002 to 2015 under license. The name was changed after imported versions were referred to as "1.0" instead of "iO", which could lead to confusion about the engine sizes. The Brazilian TR4 was Mitsubishi's first four-wheel drive flexible-fuel vehicle - running on gasoline, ethanol or a combination of the two - when it was introduced in July 2007.[6] The car is also produced in China by Changfeng Automobile under the Liebao (Leopaard) brand as the Changfeng Liebao Feiteng CFA 6400 available with the 4G94 engine paired to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Annual production

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Year Production
Japan Italy Brazil
1998 54,262 - -
1999 51,516 9,587[7] -
2000 24,783 18,626 -
2001 13,799 12,150 -
2002 8,959 11,300 1,380
2003 9,016 8,313 3,180
2004 8,136 8,579 6,090
2005 3,592 1,591 5,280
2006 2,564 - 6,060
2007 505 - 9,300
2008 - - 9,108
2009 - - 8,337
2010 - - 11,409
2011 - - 8,991
2012 - - 8,900
2013 - - 9,061
2014 - - 7,400

(sources: Facts & Figures 2000, Facts & Figures 2005, Facts & Figures 2008, Mitsubishi Motors website)

References

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  1. ^ a b "Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin Long Body models specifications". www.auto-types.com.
  2. ^ "World-first 1.8-l GDI Turbo". 3 July 2000. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  3. ^ "New addition to Pajero series", Mitsubishi Motors press release, June 15, 1998
  4. ^ "New model joins Pajero familys, [sic] 'Pajero iO' 5-door series", Mitsubishi Motors press release, August 24, 1998
  5. ^ "First Mitsubishi Pajero Pinin rolls off the line at the opening of the new Pininfarina Bairo Canavese Factory", Mitsubishi Motors press release, July 7, 1999
  6. ^ Facts & Figures 2007 Archived 2012-03-22 at the Wayback Machine, Mitsubishi Motors website
  7. ^ Pininfarina 2000 Annual Report. Turin, Italy: Pininfarina S.p.a. 2001. p. 20.