Today in Cars: Pajero rides again, Hummer shrinks, Hellcats howl, and Volvo patches the EX30

Some days the car world sprints in a hundred directions at once. Today, it feels more like a zigzag—brands threading the needle between electric futures and big, noisy nostalgia. I spent the morning bouncing between press notes, a quick drive loop, and a few calls with owners. The through line? Everybody’s pivoting, but nobody’s abandoning what their buyers still love.

Mitsubishi Pajero is officially coming back — and it’s body-on-frame

The icon returns. Multiple outlets confirm Mitsubishi will revive the Pajero/Montero nameplate for 2027 on a proper body-on-frame platform. That matters. It positions the new truck squarely against the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado/Land Cruiser 250 rather than the softer crossover crowd.

From the tone of Mitsubishi’s recent briefings, this isn’t a nostalgic sticker pack; it’s a structural reset for the brand’s off-road cred. The Pajero’s comeback pairs neatly with other moves in Mitsubishi-world today:

• ASX reality check: Mitsubishi acknowledged slow sales for the Renault-based ASX and still isn’t committing to a hybrid. In a segment living on 40–50 mpg equivalent badges and tax incentives, that’s a tough sell.
• Safety tech updates: The Outlander and Triton are getting tweaks to their driver-assist systems, with more fixes promised. A few owners I spoke to have complained about overeager lane nudges and false forward-collision chirps; sounds like Mitsubishi hears it.
• New EV with Aussie fingerprints: Mitsubishi says its next EV will have extensive Australian involvement. Given how tough and remote Aussie conditions are, that bodes well for thermal management, ride control, and actual range when the road gets corrugated and hot.

What this means for shoppers

• Real 4x4 bones: Pajero’s return to ladder-frame likely means better towing stability, articulation, and durability for long-haul outbackers and ski-season families alike.
• Tech cleanup: Incremental ADAS fixes for Outlander/Triton should smooth out the false alarms. I’ll re-test when the updates land.
• Electrification, slowly: With no ASX hybrid and a separate EV project brewing, Mitsubishi’s hedging—classic for a company that values reliability first.

Quick drive: 2026 Ford Everest keeps its cool under pressure

I slipped into a 2026 Ford Everest for a short loop this week—mixed suburban lumps, a stretch of pocked B-road, and a sneaky fire trail the locals swear isn’t a shortcut. The Everest remains what it’s been: a composed, quietly confident hauler. Steering has that reassuring Ford heft, body motions stay tidy over mid-corner bumps, and the cabin tech feels more joined-up than early Rangers. I noticed right away how settled it was on washboard surfaces; the suspension felt like it had an extra half-inch of patience.

• Ride/handling: Buttoned-down for a ladder-frame. It doesn’t pogo over whoops the way some rivals do.
• Cabin: Family-friendly and mercifully straightforward. Third row is a “sometimes” seat for adults, as usual.
• Driver assists: Lane centering behaved itself on worn lane paint. Always my torture test.

Everest vs. the returning Pajero (at a glance)

EV reality checks: Volvo patches EX30; Lamborghini eases the throttle

Two very different brands, one common theme—course correction.

• Volvo EX30 battery fix incoming: After shipping delays tied to a battery issue, Volvo says a remedy is on the way. The EX30 is an important entry-priced EV for the brand; getting owners rolling again swiftly (and communicating clearly) will matter more than any brochure number.
• Lamborghini says delaying its first EV was right: That’s the most Sant’Agata sentence imaginable—and probably correct. If you’re going to sell an electric Lambo, it must feel like a raging bull, not a silent spreadsheet. Timing matters.

Muscle refuses to die: Hellcat rumble, Ramcharger rethink, Hummer shrinks

Americana is having a moment—part V8, part volts, and a surprising dash of restraint.

• Dodge Charger SRT, Hellcat V8 rumored to return: Reports suggest the supercharged V8 isn’t done yet. It reads like one last smoke ring before the big e-mission, and I can hear the parking-lot high-fives already.
• Ramcharger won’t mirror Grand Wagoneer: Expect a unique, V8-focused lineup rather than a badge-engineered twin. Translation: a different flavor of truck, not a reheated SUV entree.
• GMC Hummer X concepts preview something smaller: The SUV and pickup ideas hint at a more right-sized EV off-roader. If the brand can keep the attitude while trimming the mass, that’s a win for trailheads with tight switchbacks and city garages with tighter height limits.

Money-no-object toys: a six-figure Defender that still burns diesel

Helderburg’s latest Land Rover Defender build costs as much as a used Ferrari SF90, and yes, it still drinks diesel. I get the purist appeal—smell of the fuel, long-stroke shove, the clack and chatter that modern cars edit out. Love it or side-eye it, these resto-mods prove that feel still sells.

Motorsport palate cleanser: keep an eye on Ioan Lloyd

Autocar spotlighted 23-year-old Ioan Lloyd, and I’m buying the stock. Rally rewards temperament as much as talent; his pace notes read like he’s been here before. Don’t be shocked if he’s on your highlight reel soon.

And finally: the birds and the F-250

A quartet of robins reportedly took legal possession—briefly—of a dealer’s new Ford courtesy of federal protections. The birds moved on, the truck is free, and we all got a gentle reminder that nature occasionally wins a standoff with sales targets.

Closing thoughts

If today had a soundtrack, it would be a mashup: a supercharger whine laid over the hum of an inverter, with a gravelly rally note in the background. The industry is trying to be many things at once—because buyers are, too. And that’s fine. As long as the fixes are prompt, the promises are honest, and the steering still talks back on a rough road, I’m in.

FAQ

• When is the Mitsubishi Pajero coming back? It’s slated to return around 2027 on a body-on-frame platform.
• What’s happening with the Volvo EX30? After shipping delays tied to a battery issue, Volvo says a fix is incoming and deliveries should resume once applied.
• Is the Dodge Charger really getting the Hellcat V8 again? Reports suggest a revived Charger SRT with a supercharged Hellcat V8 is in the works. Timing and final specs remain to be confirmed.
• What are GMC’s Hummer X concepts? They’re design studies hinting at a smaller, more maneuverable EV off-roader to sit beneath the current Hummer EV.
• Will the new Ramcharger be a Grand Wagoneer clone? No—expect a distinct, V8-focused lineup and its own personality rather than a badge-engineered twin.