The big difference between the new Mitsubishi Pajero and the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, Lexus LX and Nissan Patrol: reports

The incoming Mitsubishi Pajero will attack a slightly different target market to models like the Toyota LC300, Lexus LX and Nissan Patrol, according to new reports.

While Mitsubishi has confirmed a large SUV is coming, and tacitly confirmed what it could be named in both Australia and the USA, the brand has been quiet on any and all details surrounding the new model.

Reports have begun to arrive from overseas that seem to be spilling the details on what to expect, with unconfirmed dispatches so far detailing its plug-in powertrain outputs, its premium focus, and even its power outputs.

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The part that will likely matter most to Australian buyers, especially those cross-shopping the LC300 and Patrol, is the Pajero's platform, with new reports now pointing to what will be underpinning it.

Both the Patrol and the LC300 ride on body-on-frame platforms, which are adored by 4WD enthusiasts for their improved off-road skillset. The Pajero will reportedly take the CMF-C/D platform from the Renault-Mitsubishi-Nissan alliance, where it already underpins models like the Nissan Qashqai and Pathfinder, the Mitsubishi Outlander and the Renault Koleos.

If true, that would suggest the Pajero will ride on a more car-like monocoque platform, meaning it would potentially sacrifice some off-road ability for on-road comfort.

Sharing the Outlander's platform would make sense, given CarScoops' reports that the Pajero will also borrow its 2.4-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain, though tuned to develop a lot more power.

While the Outlander PHEV draws 135kW and 245Nm from its petrol engine, twin electric motors and 20kWh battery, the latest reports suggest the Pajero will pump up the power to a sizeable 285kW.

And the Pajero won't be stuck on the tarmac, no matter its platform, with reports suggest there will be 4WD on board, with locking e-differentials and dynamic torque vectoring.

We had the chance to sit down with Mitsubishi Australia CEO, Shaun Westcott, a little while back and asked him his thoughts on the Pajero. The executive confirmed work on a "large SUV", and reiterated that he would campaign for it to be called Pajero, he stopped short of spilling much more about it.

“Mitsubishi Motor Corporation announced its line up for the next couple of years… and under the shroud there’s a large SUV in there. So the reality is yes, we have publicly announced, effectively, that we are studying a vehicle in that space,” he said.

“I cannot tell you what it is, what it looks like, what the powertrain is, whether there’s a ladder frame, whether there’s monocoque. I cannot give you any of that information other than to say that Mitsubishi has announced that we are working on a large SUV.

"I have put up my hand and said we would love to have one because it's a very valuable nameplate, because it is a fantastic product, because it's a halo product.

"For all of the above reasons, we would love to have one here."