Renowned 4×4 specialist and well-known South African radio journalist, Francois Rossouw, recently took delivery of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport for conquering the great outdoors on some new epic adventures.
Rossouw, who has been in the 4×4 world since 1975, has covered more than 1 950 000 km behind the wheel of 4×4 vehicles. Starting way back in 1975, this 4×4 guru – affectionately known by his Afrikaans nickname “die 4×4 ou” (the 4×4 guy) – had his first taste of a Mitsubishi 4×4 vehicle three decades ago when he drove a variety of Colt bakkies from 1990 to 1994 as dedicated leader vehicles on off-road expeditions all over Africa.
“I am happy to be behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi, especially the Pajero Sport. I have driven all versions through the years as I also run my own 4×4 dealership in Alberton, and it is just an amazingly well-designed, safe and reliable off-roader,” he said this week shortly before departing on yet another recce for a new 4×4 experience.
“As I have been doing for many years, I add at least one new trip to my arsenal every year. The latest is a 4×4 route in the Songimvelo Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga, which will open in November. The Pajero will be leading the way!”
“As radio journalist I have been doing a regular Wednesday programme “My Bakkie en Ek” for a Namibian radio station (Kanaal Sewe) and the Saturday morning 4×4 programme on the RSG station Reis Sonder Grense – both for more than 25 years. “My very first 4×4 expedition was 1975 and lately I am doing regular trips for RSG listeners where we have our own club, not surprisingly called RSG 4×4 Sport,” he recalls.
As confirmation that Francois is the right man for the job – he has accompanied more than 28 000 people in more than 11 000 vehicles on 4×4 excursions all over South Africa, Southern Africa, and a variety of other regions higher up in Africa.
“So far I have travelled over 1 950 000 km in 4×4 vehicles.”
“The Mitsubishis we’ve had and the ones I drove, always offered extreme comfort and reliability, and I am confident the new Pajero will be exactly the same.”
Nic Campbell, General Manager of Mitsubishi Motors South Africa, said an adventurer with the experience of someone like Francois Rossouw is an obvious choice for the Mitsubishi Pajero.
“Francois chose the Pajero based on his experience with our brand over the decades as well as many of his clients joining him on local excursions. He said the deciding factor was safety and reliability – two outstanding features of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.”
The Pajero Sport driven by Francois is the 2.4 MIVEC 4×4 A/T, powered by the renowned 2.4-litre MIVEC DOHC Intercooled Turbo Diesel engine with common rail direct injection offering 133 kW and 430 Nm.
The vehicle is equipped with the latest version of Mitsubishi Motors’ 8-speed automatic transmission coupled to the Super-Select II 4WD System, offering four different drive modes. The 4H drive mode distributes torque in a 40:60 ratio between the front and rear wheels via a Torsen limited-slip device for safer on-road driving in slippery conditions including gravel and wet roads; 4HLc (4WD High Range with CD locked) distributes torque equally between the front and rear wheels for improved traction on sand, dirt and snow; the 4LLc (4WD Low Range with CD locked) provides greater torque for extreme off-road conditions. – Mitsubishi Motors SA