The Montero has just landed on Indian shores. But do not, for a moment, mistake it for a fresh-off-the-boat SUV about town. It has been here and done all that needed be done, in its previous avatar as the Pajero.

It requires a neat marketing strategy to re-introduce a car in the market without taking the very successful existing models off the road. Hindustan Motors has resorted to being creative with the labels to tackle the issue head on. HM added the Mitsubishi Montero to its SUV line-up in India that already includes the Pajero. This takes attention off the fact that the Pajero and the Montero is, in reality, the very same car. It’s because the word ‘Pajero’ has a sexual connotation in certain countries that the same vehicle has been renamed Montero.

Shipped directly from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Japan as a CBU (Completely Built Unit), like other SUV’s, the Montero (or Pajero, call it what you like) has been rather successful in motorsport. Like the Lancer, it’s quite nifty, especially in gruelling raids like the famous Paris-Dakar that starts in Europe and ends in Africa after traversing the infamous (as far as cars go) Sahara desert.

So what is the Montero really about? Well, for starters, this is what is known as a full-sized SUV (like the Hyundai Terracan that stems from an earlier generation Mitsubishi Pajero). Targeted at the upper segment of the market, it is priced at Rs 29.7 lakh, which puts it in a category of its own. The base Nissan X-Trail is priced between Rs 21 lakh and Rs 22.2 lakh depending upon where one purchases it, while Toyota’s Land Cruiser Prado is priced at between Rs 37.5 lakh and Rs 42.3 lakh, again depending on where one purchases it.

In terms of size, the Montero measures in at a length of 4830mm, breadth of 1895mm and a height of 1855mm. The wheelbase is 780mm. Compare that to the Prado that has a length of 4715mm, breadth of 1875mm, height of 1905mm and a 2790mm wheelbase. The X-Trail is smaller of course, with a length of 4455mm, breadth of 1765mm, height of 1675mm and wheelbase of 2625mm.

The Montero’s fascia is dominated by the centre section, which looks like an octagon on its side. This features the audio system controls and the AC controls; but what is most intriguing is the central multi-function display, which works as a clock, a barometer, compass and altimeter, as well as air conditioner information centre. Pretty neat, if you ask me! Safety features include ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution, front and side airbags for both driver and passenger.

Motive power for the Montero comes from a 16valve, 3.2litre DOHC (Dual Over Head Camshaft) direct injection diesel engine that develops 120bhp of power and 405Newton-metres (Nm) of torque. As always with a vehicle of this type, the last figure is more important. The engine breathes through what is known as a cyclone type pre-air cleaner. The Montero rides on 265/65 R17 rubber mounted on 17in alloy wheels.

One of the more interesting features of the car has got to be its interface — the gearbox — between the engine and the wheels. Mitsubishi calls it the Super Select 4WD transmission and this allows one to cruise on tarmac in two-wheel drive mode and drive on wet tarmac in four-wheel (high).

Moreover the centre differential can be locked when the terrain becomes a dirt road surface. So one can use 4WD (high) mode with the differential locked and 4WD (low) when one needs to crawl through hostile terrain, with the sureness of a tractor, with maximum utilisation of that 405Nm of torque. In fact, the gearbox can be switched between these modes on the fly at speeds of upto 100kph.

Couldn’t be bothered to do all that selection and switching of modes? Then the Montero’s MASTC (Mitsubishi Active Stability Traction Control) mode does everything for you, by monitoring each wheel, engine speed, accelerator and steering wheel position as well as yaw (ie the sideways movement of the front end about a horizontal axis running from nose to tail).

The Montero’s independent suspension system is quite advanced too. In the front, a double wishbone or dual A-arm set-up takes care of road imperfections while the rear is of the multi-link type.

Moreover, to enable the Montero to take on gradients, ditches or whatever one might choose to throw at it, the Mitsubishi engineers have given the Montero a 39° angle of approach and a 24° angle of departure. And there’s good news for the monsoon-struck city slickers — the Montero is designed to wade through water 600mm deep at a speed of 5kph! Take that, all you capricious weather gods!

So much for the Montero’s off- road ability! In India, very few Monteros will be spotted far from a macadam surface. The maximum off-loading will probably be an excursion to the garden to give it a wash. So to ensure that the SUV is as comfortable for the occupants as it is off road, the interiors are rich with a high level of both practical and comfort features.

Yes, the seats are upholstered in soft leather but the arrangement has been designed to vary according to the use. For example, both front and middle row seats fold completely flat to become beds. Then the centre row double-folds forward to offer increased space. For even more space, the cargo area has an under floor compartment as well. The front seats are powered and can be adjusted four ways.

HM has identified its niche — SUVs priced between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 35 lakh — and gone for it by introducing the more modern Montero in four different colour schemes — Cool Silver Metallic, Dark Bluish Gray Mica, Black Mica and White Solid.

Adding to the aesthetic appeal is the array of high-end electronics, which no doubt is a good thing. Since SUVs in India are not the exclusive prerogative of soccer-moms, being rich in features and freebies makes the car all the more attractive. In one marketing coup, HM has added to its range of SUVs without compromising on the reputation of its existing makes. Only the coming days will reveal how much of a winner the strategy is!