 By that time, Mitsubishi were aware that many Pajero Juniors were being unofficially exported to other countries, so an entirely new model was designed to take the vehicle away from its kei car roots and to support larger engine sizes for the international market, although only form factors and engines that fit within Japanese compact class were available for the newer car.The first vehicles rolled off the production line on 26 October 1995.The ZR-I was the only model available until it was superseded by the ZR-II in January 1997.