The Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck has been given a complete generational overhaul for the first time in nearly a decade.
When it comes to pick-up trucks, the Mitsubishi Triton has been a very popular mainstream product, often posting strong numbers next to the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max. It’s also one of Mitsubishi Motors’ best performing vehicle in terms of sales and one of two remaining models still sold here in Malaysia. The fifth generation got a lukewarm reception when it first debuted but its extensive facelift brought appeal up and now the company are bringing an all-new sixth generation Triton with even more rugged looks and improved features.
Mechanical Improvements
The Mitsubishi Triton has been reworked from bottom to top, starting with an all-new ladder chassis frame which has a much longer wheelbase (+130mm) and a noticeably wider tread (+50mm). This translates to better comfort and ergonomics.
The new chassis has also been tuned for better ride and handling, reduced NVH, increased durability and corrosion resistance and elevated crash safety. Light weight high tensile steel has helped to keep weight down despite the increase in size. The new Triton will be available in a variety of styles, including single cab and double cab.
Front and rear suspension has also been reworked and now features a longer stroke and larger diameter shock absorbers. The electric power steering module is now electric for ease of use. The front and rear seats are redesigned for improved passenger comfort. There are now seat back pockets that accomodate smartphones and tablets. A rear air circulator is found on the roof of the Triton pick-up.
Around back, the cargo bed has been lowered by 45mm and enlarged and some quality of life improvements have been made. The tailgate now features an assist damper for effortless operation. There’s also an integrated step in the corner of the bumper and other redesigned elements based on customer feedback.
Under the hood, Mitsubishi Motors say the 2.4L MIVEC ‘Clean Diesel’ 4-cylinder turbo engine engine is a new unit. It produced 204PS and 470Nm of torque and is mated to a 6-speed conventional automatic.
Super Select 4WD-II returns on the Triton, enabling smooth, on-the-fly selection between 4×2 and 4×4, as well as control for the centre differential lock. Traction distribution is split 40:60 with a rear bias.
There’s a unique 4H mode thanks to a torque-sensing type centre differential which negates the ‘tight corner braking’ phenomenon when driving across a variety of surfaces. An upgraded Drive Mode selector now has 7 different modes: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock.
Active Yaw Control from the Lancer EVO is now on the new Triton. Here it is used for nimbler handling on tight corners or slippery surfaces, off road and on road. Active Stability & Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, and Active LSD (brake controlled) are all featured as well.
The interior has been given a lot of attention, starting with the design of the cab. It features a more upright A-pillar this time around, which lends a wider door opening. Inside, the setup is quite modern with colour displays. There’s a 9″ infotainment system with smartphone connectivity as well as a colour display for the instrument panel. The multi around monitor has been upgraded with moving object detection. On top of that, there are now Connected Services in certain market, meaning the Triton has its own in-vehicle data connectivity for Roadside Assistance, Emergency call, Car Finder and remote functions via Smartphone, including Remote Engine Start.
Safety Bumps
The Triton already features ADAS but many items have been upgraded. The Forward Collision Mitigation system now includes pedestrian and cyclist detection as well as junction assist. Front Cross Traffic Alert is now added, a first in the segment. There’s also a Driver Monitoring System and a Driver Attention Alert system. Other new features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Sign Recognition, Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System.
Motorsport
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart will bring this new Triton to the AXCR championship, where they hope to grab their second consecutive win.
Availability
The Mitsubishi Triton will be available in Thailand first before being exported to ASEAN, Oceania and Japan for the first time in 12 years. It is expected to be Mitsubishi Motors’ most important model in terms of sales. Visit the virtual showroom here.
