Almost as much as performance and cool styling, car enthusiasts also love information. We want to be able to know what’s happening with the car and how it’s performing. As such, we also love having gauges to give us all that information. It might not be necessary, but it’s fun. That’s why we’re glad to see that Mitsubishi will be giving us a bunch of auxiliary instruments on the new Montero.
Meet The Multi Meter
Not to be confused with the electrical diagnostic tool of the same name, Mitsubishi will include what it calls a Multi Meter in the new Montero and Pajero. It’s a throwback to the auxiliary gauge pod included on the first- and second-generation Monteros of the 1980s and 1990s. In fact, the original gauge cluster is shown in a teaser posted to Instagram, which you can view above. The original featured an oil pressure gauge, followed by an inclinometer showing pitch and roll, and finally a voltmeter.
Close-up of the Multi Meter gauges in the upcoming Mitsubishi Montero and PajeroMitsubishi
The teaser then shifts to show the modern gauges, which include a combination altimeter and thermometer, and two gauges showing roll and pitch respectively. They’re lined up next to each other like the classic setup, though they’re clearly digital readouts on a screen, rather than separate analog gauges. Mitsubishi also confirmed in a press release that these gauges will be reconfigurable, with the other options including a compass and torque distribution.
What we’re left wondering, though, is whether these gauges live on a dedicated small screen on the dash, or will they just be one of multiple layouts visible on the instrument or infotainment screens? It would be easier and certainly more affordable to just put them on the main displays. However, having a special small display would open up the opportunity to do something more unique with the dashboard than just one or two massive screens like almost every other modern vehicle.
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What We Know About The Montero
Mitsubishi has already announced that it will reveal the new SUV toward the end of this year. Also, according to reports from a private dealer meeting, it will make its way to the US with the Montero name. However, it won’t make it to our shores until around 2030, long after its launch in Japan and other markets. Those reports also confirmed that the SUV will be built on the same new body-on-frame platform that will be used on Nissan vehicles including the Xterra, Frontier, and Armada. It will feature a hybrid engine, which will probably be quite similar to the hybrid V6 that the Xterra will have.
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CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Even though it’s a small detail, we’re glad to see Mitsubishi highlight these auxiliary gauges. They show that the automaker wants to make sure the new Montero lives up to both the heritage of its predecessors, as well as their capability. This should also be backed up by the boxy styling shown in spy photos, as well as the traditional body-on-frame construction. The fact that other rugged products such as Xterra will use the platform is another good sign. What we have yet to learn, though, is how unique touches like these gauges will be to the Mitsubishi, or whether they’ll be copied over to the Nissans. If the latter happens, it could make the Mitsubishi less unique and appealing.
