On the downside for potential buyers the dramatic drop in the value of the Australian dollar has meant that prices have been increased by up to $3000 on some models. To partially compensate for this, there is a new entry level diesel variant that’s $2000 cheaper than before, albeit with less standard equipment.

Engine options for the new NT Pajero are unchanged from the previous NS model with the choice of 3.8-litre V6 petrol or 3.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

While the output from the V6 petrol engine remains as before (184 kW at 6000 rpm and 329 Nm at 2750 rpm) the turbo-diesel has been given a serious working over. With a new cylinder head and larger turbocharger it now produces 147 kW of power at 3800 rpm and 441 Nm of torque at 2000 rpm, both figures around 18 per cent higher than the previous engine.

Despite the improved power and torque numbers fuel consumption from the turbo diesel has been reduced from 9.2 litres per 100 kilometres to just 8.4 L/100 km. This latter figure looked a bit optimistic during our relatively short test of the diesel Pajero in the Mount Macedon area to the north of Melbourne, where consumption averaged around 12.0 L/100 km. However given that the test vehicles were virtually straight off the boat and driven fairly hard on hilly and occasionally rugged terrain it’s still too early to judge. We’ll report fully once we’ve done our usual extended road test in the new year.

Also new with Pajero diesel models is an upgraded five-speed automatic transmission with sports mode sequential shift change, lock up and intelligent shift control. Petrol models retain the previous five-speed auto with five-speed manual also available in some models.

As before, the new Pajero is available in two bodies, short wheelbase three-door and long wheelbase five-door.

The model range has been increased to seven with the addition of two new LWB variants: the new entry-level GL and the mid-spec GLS.

At $47,790 the GL comes in at $2000 below the price of the previously entry-level GLX. Cost savings on the GL include steel wheels instead of alloy, single-disc CD player and the loss of leather trim on the steering wheel and gear lever.

The GL is only available with the diesel engine and doesn’t have the seven-seat option available in all other LWB models. Both the GL and GLX come with driver and front passenger airbags as standard, all other models also get side and curtain ‘bags.

Other standard features across the range include ABS brakes with EBS (Electronic Brake-force Distribution), stability and traction control, cruise control, MP3-compatible CD player (six-disc stacker on all models except GL), a multi-mode dashboard display that includes compass, altimeter and barometer, and 60/40 split second-row seats with tumble fold.

Mitsubishi is marketing the new Pajero GLS as a family-oriented model with side steps, rear zone air conditioning with separate controls and the extra airbags. GLS also joins the top-of-the-line Exceed in getting a chromed grille.

The towing capacity of the five-door Pajero has been increased from 2500 kg to 3000 kg. Three-door capacity remains at 2500 kg.

A rear differential lock is now standard on diesel versions of the SWB Pajero X and the LWB VRX and Exceed models. It’s also available as an stand-alone or package option on the other LWB diesel variants.

Mitsubishi has addressed criticism of excessive noise from the outgoing Pajero diesel and have added a new enhanced noise insulation package that includes extra sound absorbing material at a number of points around the vehicle. During our test the difference was noticeable and the new Pajero has a more refined feel than before.

While there were some roughish dirt roads included in our test of the NT Pajero there was nothing that was at all challenging for a vehicle with its off-road credentials. However, having tested the previous model for a couple of days in the Flinders Ranges we can attest to the Pajero’s ability to handle seriously rugged conditions. The extra power and torque from the upgraded turbo-diesel can only further improve its performance.

New Pajero goes on sale on Boxing Day, however we’d suggest holding off until the new year to avoid the extra depreciation that would come from buying a vehicle with a 2008 compliance plate.

The complete NT Pajero range, with prices (excluding on-road costs) is:

R SWB 3.8-litre petrol three-door: $43,990 (automatic)

R SWB 3.2-litre turbo-diesel three-door: $45,990 (automatic)

X SWB 3.8-litre petrol three-door: $50,990 (automatic)

X SWB 3.2-litre turbo-diesel three-door: $53,490 (automatic)

GL LWB 3.2-litre petrol five-door: $47,790 (manual), $50,790 (automatic)

GLX LWB 3.8-litre petrol five-door: $50,790 (manual), $53,790 (automatic)

GLX LWB 3.2-litre diesel five-door: $52,790 (manual), $55,790 (automatic)

GLS LWB 3.8-litre petrol five-door: $54,790 (manual), $57,790 (automatic)

GLX LWB 3.2-litre diesel five-door: $56,790 (manual), $59,790 (automatic)

VRX LWB 3.8-litre petrol five-door: $63,990 (automatic)

VRX LWB 3.2-litre diesel five-door: $66,490 (automatic)

Exceed LWB 3.8-litre petrol five-door: $72,290 (automatic)