Mitsubishi introduced the first generation of the Pajero/Montero/Shogun lineup in 1981, and soon it was noticed as an excellent offroad vehicle. In 1983, the Japanese carmaker introduced a long-wheelbase version with five doors that extended the Montero range. Unlike other 4x4 vehicles on the market, Mitsubishi offered the car with three roof variations: standard, semi-high, and high-roof. Moreover, the five-door version was a better bet for those who needed more room for rear passengers, which stood cramped in the three-door version. The addition of a five-door version transformed the Pajero into a family SUV. Its three side windows and long roof made the vehicle looks more balanced. Mitsubishi built the Montero as a tough offroad vehicle and installed heavy-duty skid plates under the engine and transmission to protect them. Customers could found tow hooks both at the front and rear of the car, and the carmaker offered a bush-guard as an option. The carmaker kept the round headlights in squared clusters while the corner-mounted turn signals and parking lights were better protected than the one fitted on the bumper. Inside, the Montero offered room for five tall passengers. On the high-roof version, they could wear tall-hats without any troubles at all. Its folding bench enlarged the trunk area from 43.4 cu-ft (1,229 liters) to 94.9 cu-ft (2,687 liters). For the dashboard, Mitsubishi added a cluster with an inclinometer and gauges for amps and oil pressure. Under the hood, depending on the market. Mitsubishi introduced a new 2.6-liter gasoline engine and paired it with an optional four-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.3-liter turbo-diesel was replaced by a de-tuned version of the 2.5-liter unit.