1997 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution Auto 1-of-87 in Rare Passion Red

The Dakar is the most aggressive and brutal rally raid on the planet. Held since 1978, the multi-day event has seen privateers, manufacturers, and everyone else in-between scramble between countries through the most arduous conditions.

General off-roading, low-grip dirt, jumping dunes, mud, camel grass, and rock crossings are just some of what a Dakar competitor must look forward to. Alongside vehicles, the event was open to myriad classes including motorbikes, quadricycles, and even commercial diesel trucks.

Mitsubishi has dominated the Dakar, with its Pajero off-roader entering the event 26 times and leaving with 12 victories – seven of which earned consecutively. Although, it wasn’t all champagne and podiums, as in 1997, event organisers changed the rules drastically.

It prevented every car manufacturer – including Mitsubishi – from playing in the ‘T3’ prototype class, forcing them into the lesser, road-car focussed, and privateer-dominated ‘T2’ category. Mitsubishi took this challenge in its stride, willing to amortise the huge costs involved for the glory.

The result was the Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution. Following the nomenclature of its Lancer-based rally car stablemate, the Pajero Evolution was a purpose-built Dakar winning machine. Interestingly, the rules also banned forced-induction cars, favouring Mitsubishi and its catalogue of powerful, naturally aspirated V6 engines.

The brand used its steadfast ‘6G74’ 3.5-litre V6 engine, topping it with a bespoke, MIVEC-equipped cylinder head, unique to the Pajero Evolution. Other additions included bespoke suspension, Recaro seats, and a visually stunning widebody kit – all to meet international road regulations.

The costs and effort paid off, with Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution not only dominating the lesser T2 class it was forced to play in, but also the whole event too, throwing sand in the faces of organisers, who had banned the brand from competing at the highest level.

Mitsubishi officially built 2,693 examples, with only 87 ever built in the brand’s passion red. 62 with an automatic transmission, 25 with a manual transmission.

Not only is the Pajero Evolution a desirable homologation special, but it’s also one that walked-the-talk when in battle.