First look: Mitsubishi outs new-look Triton
BY TUNG NGUYEN | 9th Nov 2018
MITSUBISHI Motors has uncovered its heavily upgraded Triton pick-up that will arrive in Australia in January bearing a striking new front-end design, higher specification and an engineering overhaul with extra active safety technology, a six-speed automatic transmission and claims of improved refinement and rigidity.
While local pricing and specification is still to be confirmed, the most obvious change with the latest Triton – which has emerged in Thailand three-and-a-half years after the fifth-generation MQ series was launched in Australia – is its bold new ‘dynamic shield’ front fascia, which incorporates higher-set slimline headlights, an updated grille, revised lower bumper and sculpted bonnet.
According to Mitsubishi, “the impressive, functional-looking front face uses a horizontal/vertical motif and beefier chrome parts to give a sense of powerful rigidity in a design that echoes the ‘Engineered beyond Tough’ development concept”.
Higher-spec variants also gain bi-functional LED headlights, while the foglamps have also been raised in an effort to protect the lighting elements from stone chips and high-water crossings.
At the rear, the bumper is now more integrated into the bodywork for more streamlined look, while the bed sides have been restyled and the tail-lights updated.
Interior revisions are less apparent from first glance, but a lot of detail work has gone into improving the cabin’s ambience and amenity.
Notable additions include silver detailing and soft-touch materials throughout, and a double-stitched finish on the front seat armrest, knee pads, console lid, brake lever and shifter. The door trims are also slightly thicker than before.
Second-row occupants now have access to a USB outlet, with trays fitted around the centre console for easy smartphone or tablet stowage, while a roof-mounted air vent has also emerged, with four levels of airflow adjustment.
Safety systems receive a big boost in the new series, with a camera- and radar-based front collision mitigation system with pedestrian detection now available, as well as blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert and Mitsubishi’s Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System that stops unintended motion.
A surround-view Multi-Around Monitor and front and rear parking sensors will be optionally available – depending on the market and/or model grade – while a reversing camera will carry over.
The new Triton also brings with it claims of increased rigidity, brought by extra reinforcements applied in the engine compartment surrounds and in the chassis frame, cab and cargo bed joins.
Extra sound-proofing and noise- and vibration-absorbing materials have been added to reduce NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels, with Mitsubishi claiming that the combined effect of these measures and the higher rigidity is improved cabin quietness and comfort.
As before, Mitsubishi’s popular workhorse features the triple-diamond brand’s on-the-fly Easy Select four-wheel-drive system with four modes including rear-drive, four-wheel-drive, and high- and low-range gearing.
However, when engaged in 4WD the Triton now includes a new Off-Road Mode that allows specific terrain selection between Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand and Rock settings for improved control.
Hill-descent control is also now fitted, operating at speeds up to 20km/h when 4WD is selected.
Suspension componentry mostly carries over as before, namely a double-wishbone front and leaf-spring rear configuration, but Mitsubishi says changes have been made to improve ride comfort thanks to larger rear dampers.
Brakes also get an upgrade, although only for overseas models fitted with 18-inch wheels, which now use larger ventilated discs with two-piston callipers.
Powered by the same 2.4-litre four-cylinder ‘4N15’ turbo-diesel engine as before, the latest Triton produces peak 133kW of power at 3500rpm and maximum 430Nm of torque available from 2500rpm.
A 2.4-litre petrol engine is still on offer at the entry level.
Transmission choices include a carryover six-speed manual and five-speed automatic, however a new six-speed auto with a Sport mode has also been developed for both the diesel and petrol powertrain.
Mitsubishi says the new automatic gearbox allows for improved quietness and improved mileage, “without sacrificing dynamic performance at low vehicle speeds”. It also says “improved shock damping when the torque-converter clutch locks up allows an expanded lockup range”.
Thai-spec diesel variants employ a fuel-saving automatic engine idle-stop system, while the company also claims improved mileage with reduced emissions with further modifications to the combustion chamber and fuel injection system.
Six-speed auto versions for the Thai-market diesel also use a lower 14.9:1 compression ratio, down from 15.5.
Four new colours debut on the Triton with the update – White Diamond, Graphite Grey, Passion Orange and Red – while the palette will also continue with standard white, mica black and metallic silver, blue and brown.
Available in single, extra (Club) and dual cab body styles, and with a 4x2 driveline as well as the revised 4x4, the Thai-built Triton is currently Mitsubishi Australia’s best-selling model, racking up 20,492 new registrations in the first 10 months of the year – or about 29 per cent of the Japanese brand’s overall sales.
In the competitive pick-up segment, the Triton trails only the market-leading Toyota HiLux (43,163) and Ford Ranger (35,310), and is currently well ahead of Nissan’s Navara (13,444) and the Holden Colorado (15,400), among others.
