Mini monster! Mitsubishi plots Pajero Mini to take on the Suzuki Jimny in off-road war - reports

Mitsubishi's reported Pajero Mini would be built in partnership with Nissan and could be revealed as early as next year ahead of a 2024 launch date, according to new reports out of Japan.

Japanese scoop șite Best Car Web is reporting that rumours are building in Japan that Mitsubishi could revive the Pajero Mini nameplate in answer to the booming popularity of the Suzuki Jimny around the world.

By far Suzuki's most sought-after nameplate, the queue for the Jimny is only growing in Australia, with a Suzuki Australia spokesperson telling CarsGuide in January that deliveries have been taking an average of six-to-eight months from purchase.

The bite-sized 4WD is also the brand's second-best-performing model in Australia this year, with almost 2000 units finding homes in the five months to May.

And reports are now pointing to Mitsubishi joining the fray, reviving a nameplate last seen in June 2012. That model was a tough-but-basic 4WD, and the reports suggest the brand will attempt to capture that same spirit with a new model.

Though as yet unconfirmed, Best Car suggests the new model could be built in conjunction with Nissan, thanks to those brands' NMKV partnership which produces K Cars for the Japanese market.

The reports also suggest electrification will be included in the powertrain options, hinting that an EV-only offering could be on the cards.

More likely, though, is the option of petrol and petrol-hybrid solutions, along with Mitsubishi's S-AWC 4WD system.

Interestingly, the site also points to Nissan launching its own version of a Pajero Mini, with Mitsubishi in charge of overall design and engineering, and Nissan responsible for personalising its vehicle.

It's only rumour at this point – and even if they come true an Australian debut is no sure thing – but we can hope, right?

For now, you'll need to watch this space.