Rahul Gandhi’s Bullet-Proof Mitsubishi Pajero Sport For Sale
The Indian politician Rahul Gandhi needs no introduction. Also serving as the Leader of the Opposition of Lok Sabha, he is in the news on most days. Now, a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, previously owned by Shri Rahul Gandhi has surfaced for sale in the used car market. Here is everything we know about this bullet-proof SUV.
The details of the vehicle have been shared on the Instagram handle ‘Mad Machine Curator’.It says that the vehicle is a 2015 model. It has a DL number plate and an asking price of 23 lakh, and it is unclear if this quote is negotiable. This price could sound a bit too high for a 10-year-old diesel Pajero. You can find 2015 models for under 9 lakh on various online marketplaces.
Why does this car cost so much then? Well, the premium could be attributed to the alterations on this SUV. It is fully bullet-proof and has healthy tyres. The glasses have been imported from America. While most people wouldn’t need these alterations, there could be VIPs who could benefit from the armouring. They will find the price reasonable.
The advertisement also mentions that this Pajero is a 4×4 model with a manual transmission. It further is a first-owner vehicle that has done 1,18,000 km. It is powered by a 2477 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC, diesel engine that makes 176 bhp and 400 Nm. Both manual and automatic transmissions were available, back in the day.
You can directly get in touch with the seller if you are interested in this vehicle.
Rahul Gandhi is fond of the Pajero. During his recent visit to Kerala, he chose to travel in a Pajero Sport. His motorcade in Kerala, as revealed by various videos often consisted of a Pajero and several Mahindra Boleros (cop cars). We don’t know what car he’s chosen as the Pajero Sport’s replacement.
In 2015, the India-bound Pajero Sport first made its public debut at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). It reached the Indian shored by the end of 2015, into a segment dominated by the Endeavour and Fortuner. The Chevrolet Trailblazer was also on sale back then. The segment was attracting footfalls and Mitsubishi tried its best to cash in on the same.
The SUV’s 2.5L DI-Diesel engine with Intercooler Turbocharger was quite capable and the rugged chassis further complemented it. It felt raw and butch to drive even while offering more cabin comfort than the previous SFX. The 8-speed automatic gearbox wasn’t the most modern of the time, nor the quickest in terms of shifts, but it was durable and offered decent shift quality.
The automatic Pajero Sport wasn’t the most fuel efficient, but this was a forgivable flaw considering the large 70L fuel tank. Most of the fundamentals including the core mechanicals came from the Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck.
The SUV came with Rise Body with Front & Rear side door impact bars, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD(Electronic Brake-force Distribution) & hydraulic brake booster, Collapsible Steering column, SRS Airbags (Driver + Passenger), 3-point ELR seat belt for all. People weren’t too conscious about Global NCAP results back then. However, there have been multiple incidents over time, that demonstrated the strong build and safety offered by the Pajero Sport.