Galloper debuted in 1982 as a derivative of the first-generation Pajero produced under license in South Korea. After its 1991 unveiling, it became popular in the South Korean market before production finally ended in 2003. The model was also introduced in Europe, building a history as the Korean version of the Pajero.
Galloper, developed by South Korea’s Hyundai Precision as a licensed version of the original Pajero, debuted in 1982 based on the first-generation Pajero, with production continuing in South Korea until the early 2000s. It reportedly sold 24,000 units in 1992 and captured more than 50% of the South Korean SUV market.
Following its 1991 unveiling, Galloper acquired its own distinctive styling and was renamed Galloper II after a minor change in 1997. Changes from the first-generation Pajero, including the front-end design, continued to accumulate, and the model gradually evolved into a vehicle with its own identity.
Galloper was also introduced in Europe. From 1998, it was sold as Mitsubishi Galloper in Germany, while in Spain it was marketed under the independent Galloper brand name, reflecting adaptations to local markets. In Japan, however, Galloper continued to be produced on the first-generation platform even after the third-generation Pajero was introduced.
When Hyundai’s Terracan appeared as its successor in 2001, Galloper ended production in 2003. The name derives from “gallop,” meaning a racehorse running at full speed, while the Pajero name comes from the pampas cat, a wild cat native to South America.