We drove the sixth-generation Mitsubishi Triton ahead of its local launch. Is there enough substance behind those substantial new rules to cause an uproar?
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Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D DC 4×4 XTREME Fast Facts:
– Powertrain: 2.4 liter four-cylinder turbo diesel
– Transmission: 6-speed automatic
– Power: 135 kW @ 3,500 rpm
– Torque: 430 Nm at 1,500 – 2,750 rpm
– Top speed: 179 km/h
– Fuel consumption: 8.9 l/100 km
What do we drive and why is this important?
The arrival of the fourth generation Mitsubishi L200 bakkie in 2005 introduced the South African market to a more mature, refined and sculpted double cab proposition that no longer identified as the Colt but rather as the Triton. Apart from the manufacturer’s well-established reputation for rugged reliability, those ‘softer’ exterior lines and a smaller footprint compared to traditional rivals within the then fast-growing, leisure-oriented double cab market meant that, despite little fault was done in terms of capabilities To combine remarkable on-road comfort with genuine off-road capability, the Triton would become something of a dark horse in this segment.
Five years since a mid-life update from Triton attempted to reintroduce a sense of Colt-like playground presence to Mitsubishi’s crew-cab offering, the all-new sixth-generation car is about to arrive in South Africa like a big brother looking for exact revenge for any recent swearing.
What’s new on the Mitsubishi Triton?
Built on a stronger-than-ever ladder frame chassis, with much of the clothing added to this Yamabuki Orange pre-launch vehicle stripped away to breathtaking effect, a new Triton is revealed that won’t be easily missed in traffic. Together with a bold interpretation of the brand’s ‘Horizontal Axis’ design language, the newcomer is 20mm longer and 50mm wider (115mm if you include the flared wheel arches on this Xtreme derivative) than the outgoing Triton. The front and rear tracks have been widened accordingly, and the wheelbase has been significantly lengthened by 130mm compared to the fifth-generation package. Ground clearance has been increased to a handy 228mm and wading depth by 300 to 800mm, and all models have a braked towing capacity of 3,500kg. Since we got out the measuring tape, the load area dimensions have increased, but the load height has been lowered by 45mm for easier access; the tailgate is equipped with an easy-lift system.
The vehicle we tested did not have a dedicated outlet for lighting or an additional outlet in the rubberized truck bed.
Although the full local Triton range had yet to be confirmed at the time of writing, we know that at least one of the flagship models – broadly showcased here – will come fitted with all-terrain rubber as standard.
Related: Mitsubishi Triton Shogun Revealed – We Have Prices
Offsetting bold new exterior lines, the Triton’s interior is an altogether more conservative and family affair. While soft-touch surfaces are reserved for obvious touch points throughout the cabin (including the door card), the leather-trimmed seats in our test unit are among the most comfortable in the segment. In this application, driver controls included electric adjustment that, once combined with a rake and reach motion on the steering column, provided a generally comfortable driving position.
Call us old-fashioned, but we appreciated the welcome simplicity of the Triton’s instrumentation and switchgear. This includes a range of large, dedicated climate control settings, an invisible wireless charging pad for mobile phones, complemented by modern USB port options and a just-big-enough 9-inch infotainment display that can be mirrored with a smartphone. It’s hopefully an easy fix/update, but if the size of this screen is sufficient, the slow performance of this touchscreen is currently not comparable to what is available elsewhere in this segment.
These increased exterior dimensions compared to the outgoing model translate into a more spacious cabin with more generous space between the two front occupants and improved accommodation for rear-seat passengers. The roof-mounted vents fitted to this high-quality unit provide specific airflow for climate control to the two (Isofix-compatible) outer rear seats.
Until the brand’s new 150 kW/470 Nm bi-turbo diesel engine (4N16) is approved for our market, the Triton will be offered exclusively with a single-turbo version of this 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, this otherwise impressively refined powertrain delivers a handy 135 kW and 430 Nm from 1,500 rpm. During our exclusive first drive of this pre-launch unit, we recorded an average fuel consumption of 8.9 l/100 km.
How much does the Mitsubishi Trion cost?
We’ll update final prices as soon as they’re announced ahead of the new Triton’s official launch in the week of November 18-22, but we’d expect a version closest in spec to the unit tested here (likely too (called Xtreme) will cost approximately R850,000.
What are Mitsubishi Triton’s rivals?
Until the more powerful versions of the new Triton arrive, Mitsubishi South Africa will focus on the likes of the Ford Ranger XLT 4×4, the Toyota Hilux 4×4 Raider, the Isuzu D-Max LSE 4×4 and the GWM P- series. .
How does the new Mitsubishi Triton drive?
Although the upcoming, more powerful Triton package also introduces electrically assisted power steering for better maneuverability around town, there’s still a lot to like about this particular model’s hydraulic setup, particularly its reassuring weight and feel both on road and off road. driving conditions.
Mitsubishi’s modern Super Select 4WD-II technology, a proven quantity, allows the driver to switch between 2 hours and 4 hours at speeds up to 100 km/h. An extra step (4HLc) before reaching low range locks the car’s center differential into a 40:60 torque split, front to rear. Seven preset driving modes – from Eco to Rock Crawl – are available and are confirmed via a 7-inch digital display in the otherwise analogue instrument cluster.
A package long known for providing impressively compliant suspension, even on gravel; The all-round balance of the new Triton benefits from the aforementioned wider footprint, a reworked front suspension with a 20mm longer rebound stroke for more progressive damping and redesigned (stronger yet lighter) leaf springs at the rear.
The Triton’s ventilated front discs have been increased from 294 to 320mm while retaining the drum-based rear brakes and are both strong and progressive.
At the time of writing, Mitsubishi South Africa was still finalizing which of the brand’s available advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) will be included in vehicles shipped from its production line in Thailand to our market.
Pronunciation:
A brand with an enviable track record of reliability and customer satisfaction, based on these early experiences with Mitsubishi’s sixth-generation L200 – and knowing what else awaits at this Japanese manufacturer’s local office in the coming months – there is a lot to be excited about . While the evolution of the crew cab segment is happening at an infamously, er, leisurely pace, the all-new Triton arrives with all eyes focused on which hand Toyota will play next.
Interestingly, the brand has confirmed that it is currently not interested in handing this package over to its legendary Ralliart performance division in a bid to chase sales of the Ranger Raptor, but it is likely that the new Triton range will once again see robust workhorse derivatives.
Certainly pending confirmation of both final pricing and specifications for the local Triton range – and with the bi-turbo powertrain waiting in the wings – Mitsubishi South Africa will feel buoyed by its competitor’s potential to be a overall healthier share of the leisure-oriented double cabin market.
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