MITSUBISHI PAJERO/MONTERO takes first overall win. First triumph for a Japanese manufacturer
As symbolized by the Porsche 911 prototypes, which took the overall victory on the previous event, the popularity of the Dakar Rally continued to rise. Aiming to take the overall victory, the MITSUBISHI MOTORS team finally decided to introduce a prototype PAJERO/MONTERO. The first prototype was based on a modified production car utilizing a ladder frame and the body of their production vehicles, but with an advanced front shaft which essentially extended the wheel base and improved the front-to-rear weight balance. The body panels were made of plastic reinforced with carbon Kevlar fiber, which reduced the weight by more than 200kg from the previous year's model. As a result of changing the rear suspension from a leaf spring to a three-link type, the drivability drastically improved. The 2.6L 4G54 gasoline turbo engine, created by Okazaki's Engine Research Division, was able to deliver a maximum output of 225PS with its turbocharger and intercooler. By changing the final gear ratio, the car was able to reach a maximum speed of 185 km/h.
The first PAJERO/MONTERO Prototype was driven by two men: UK's Andrew Cowan, who drove the PAJERO/MONTERO to the third place overall on the previous event, and Patrick Zaniroli of France, who had clinched the second place overall in a Range Rover in 1984. The MITSUBISHI MOTORS team was up against formidable prototype rivals such as the Porsche 959, Opel Manta, Audi Quatro and Range Rover. That year's Dakar Rally had a total of 552 entrants, with 362 of them in the car category alone. The route crossed the Ténéré Desert twice, attesting to the difficulty of the event. That year’s rally covered a total distance of 10,284 km across 22 days with the competitive stages (SS) making up approximately 7,487 km.
After two previous departures from the Place de la Concorde, that year the race started in the city of Versailles. Tens of thousands of spectators greeted the competitors as they prepared for the adventure. A prologue in the suburbs of Paris was packed with some 70,000 spectators. When the race proper began in Algeria on arrival in North Africa, the Porsche team slipped back due to trouble from the beginning, and the Opel Manta driven by Belgian Guy Colsoul took the lead. Zaniroli, who was in second place by the time he arrived at Agadez in Niger, outpaced the Opel Manta to take over the overall lead. The Opel team was hit by unfortunate mistakes and engine issues on the first SS of the second half of the race. The MITSUBISHI PAJERO/MONTEROs' drivers put together a flawless effort, setting three fastest times and extending their lead. It was the first time a Japanese manufacturer succeeded in achieving an overall victory. The PAJERO/MONTEROs of Cowan and Zaniroli gave the Japanese automaker an impressive a 1-2 finish. A privately entered PAJERO/MONTERO also took the victory in both the non-modified production car and Marathon classes. This result showcased the high performance and reliability of the PAJERO/MONTEROs to the world. In addition, that year also saw Japanese actor Yosuke Natsuki, together with Yoshimasa Sugawara, take part in the production car class with the PAJERO/MONTERO for the first time, but he was forced to retire 900 km from the goal.
As symbolized by the Porsche 911 prototypes, which took the overall victory on the previous event, the popularity of the Dakar Rally continued to rise. Aiming to take the overall victory, the MITSUBISHI MOTORS team finally decided to introduce a prototype PAJERO/MONTERO. The first prototype was based on a modified production car utilizing a ladder frame and the body of their production vehicles, but with an advanced front shaft which essentially extended the wheel base and improved the front-to-rear weight balance. The body panels were made of plastic reinforced with carbon Kevlar fiber, which reduced the weight by more than 200kg from the previous year's model. As a result of changing the rear suspension from a leaf spring to a three-link type, the drivability drastically improved. The 2.6L 4G54 gasoline turbo engine, created by Okazaki's Engine Research Division, was able to deliver a maximum output of 225PS with its turbocharger and intercooler. By changing the final gear ratio, the car was able to reach a maximum speed of 185 km/h.
After two previous departures from the Place de la Concorde, that year the race started in the city of Versailles. Tens of thousands of spectators greeted the competitors as they prepared for the adventure. A prologue in the suburbs of Paris was packed with some 70,000 spectators. When the race proper began in Algeria on arrival in North Africa, the Porsche team slipped back due to trouble from the beginning, and the Opel Manta driven by Belgian Guy Colsoul took the lead. Zaniroli, who was in second place by the time he arrived at Agadez in Niger, outpaced the Opel Manta to take over the overall lead. The Opel team was hit by unfortunate mistakes and engine issues on the first SS of the second half of the race. The MITSUBISHI PAJERO/MONTEROs' drivers put together a flawless effort, setting three fastest times and extending their lead. It was the first time a Japanese manufacturer succeeded in achieving an overall victory. The PAJERO/MONTEROs of Cowan and Zaniroli gave the Japanese automaker an impressive a 1-2 finish. A privately entered PAJERO/MONTERO also took the victory in both the non-modified production car and Marathon classes. This result showcased the high performance and reliability of the PAJERO/MONTEROs to the world. In addition, that year also saw Japanese actor Yosuke Natsuki, together with Yoshimasa Sugawara, take part in the production car class with the PAJERO/MONTERO for the first time, but he was forced to retire 900 km from the goal.
