MITSUBISHI has upgraded its popular Triton 4x4 one-tonne utility with a more powerful 2.5-litre diesel engine and the option of a longer tray for the dual-cab version.

On top of the Triton’s class-leading four-star ANCAP crash safety rating, the model year 2010 MN-series has also brings more safety equipment, including standard side and curtain airbags and electronic stability control (ESC) on the range-topping 4x4 GLX-R dual-cab – a first for this class.

While both features are optional on most other diesel Triton variants, fitted only to 4x4 variants for the time being is the 4D56 ‘HP’ (‘high powered’) 2.5-litre DOHC 16-valve common-rail four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which employs variable-geometry turbo technology, increased turbo pressure and optimised injector specifications.

It now delivers 131kW of power at 4000rpm and, for the manual, 400Nm of peak torque from 2000rpm (350Nm for the auto) – a massive increase over the 100kW/314Nm 2.5-litre diesel, which continues in 4x2 Triton variants.

It is also 11 per cent more power and 17 per cent more torque than the bigger-displacement 118kW/343Nm ‘4M41’ 3.2-litre diesel. The latter has been retired from the Triton range but continues to deliver 147kW and 441Nm in the Pajero.

The new HP diesel makes the Triton the power leader in its class, with its 131kW bettering Toyota’s (3.0-litre) HiLux and Nissan’s (2.5-litre) Navara, which both deliver126kW, as well as Holden’s 3.0-litre Colorado and Isuzu D-Max (120kW) and the 115kW 3.0-litre diesel in both Ford’s Ranger and Mazda’s BT-50.

Only the Navara’s 403Nm of torque betters the Triton 4x4 manual’s 400Nm output.

Combined with a standard five-speed manual gearbox, the new 2.5 enables the 4x4 Triton to achieve an 8.3L/100km combined fuel consumption rating, which is a nine per cent improvement over the 3.2.

Automatic variants, including a new five-speed self-shifting transmission fitted to the upgraded GLX-R flagship (other Tritons continue with the previous four-speed auto), are now claimed to return 9.3L/100km.

The 4x2 Triton continues with the (unchanged) 94kW/194Nm 2.4-litre petrol engine and the non-HP 100kW 2.5-litre turbo-diesel.

The entire Triton range now has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution, which has been added to the 2.4 petrol models and 4x4 GLX single-cab).

All models continue with dual front airbags and front seatbelt pretensioners, with the GLX-R adding electronic stability and traction control and side and curtain airbags as standard. Stability/traction control is an option on HP diesel models, but not others, while the extra airbags are restricted to HP dual-cabs.

Available as an option on dual-cab models, the longer bed on Triton increases length by 180mm, from 1325mm to 1505mm, while the box sides rise by 55mm, from 405mm to 460mm.

That makes the dual-cab Triton tub, which was previously the shortest in class, just 25mm shorter than the class-leading Ranger and BT-50’s (1535mm), while the HiLux’s is 15mm longer at 1520mm and the D40 Navara’s is 6mm longer at 1511mm. The dual-cab Triton tub is now longer than both the D22 Navara’s (1395mm) and Colorado/D-Max’s (1419mm).

At the same time, the upgraded MN Triton long-bed 4x4 dual-cab pick-up’s towing capacity increases by 200kg to 2700kg, while 4x4 single and dual-cab/chassis models are now in line with class-leading rivals at 3000kg.

Other modifications to the Thai-built MY2010 Triton include new front bumpers, grille and side turning lamps, plus new paint colours, different alloy wheels, revised side steps and body-coloured wheel-arch fenders on sports models. Meantime, the cabin has a new seat fabric and seat pads, a revised instrument panel, recast floor console.

Mitsubishi’s class-leading five-year/130,000km whole-vehicle warranty, 10-year/160,000km powertrain warranty and five-year/unlimited kilometre roadside assistance package continues to be a major selling point for the Triton.

With the deletion of the V6, the Triton 4x2 range now comprises the 2.4 petrol manual GL cab-chassis and GLX dual-cab, the non-HP 2.5 diesel auto/manual GLX cab-chassis and dual-cab, and the new GL-R dual-cab 4x2 and 4x4.

The 4x4 range now comes with one powertrain – the HP 2.5 – with either manual or automatic transmissions available in the GLX single/dual-cab and the GL-R and GLX-R dual-cabs.

The GL 4x2 cab-chassis continues to open the range at $20,990, and continues to come with 16x6.0-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, 1DIN AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio and twin front airbags. ABS and EBD is a $500 option, while metallic/pearlescent paint costs $450 and a new (manual-only) sports seat option is $300.

The 4x2 GLX cab-chassis (non-HP) 2.5 CDi increases in price by $100 to $25,090, while the 4x2 GLX dual-cab 2.4 MPI is up $400 to $28,390 and the 4x2 GLX dual-cab (non-HP) 2.5 CDi is up $500 to $32,490, plus $2000 for a four-speed auto. ESC is a $750 option.

GLX 2WD variants continue to add ABS with EBD as standard, plus cruise control on the 2.5, a 2DIN sound system with Bluetooth/USB/aux-in and the option of ESC and side/curtain airbags (2.5 only).

Rounding out the 4x2 (and 4x4) range is the new GL-R variant, which represents an additional dual-cab sports variant in Mitsubishi’s workhorse line-up, priced at $35,490 (4x2) and $44,990 (4x4), plus $2000 for a four-speed auto.

It adds 16x7.0-inch alloys, ESC, body-coloured fender flares, side steps, rear step, nudge bar, carpet mats, a leather steering wheel and shifter and the option of side/curtain airbags ($850).

The Triton 4x4 line-up continues to be led by the GLX cab-chassis (up $100 to $34,590) and GLX dual-cab (up $500 to $41,990), plus $2000 for a four-speed auto. Over the 4x2, the GLX 4x4s add the HP 2.5 CDi, ‘Easy Select 4x4’ system, the option of ESC ($750) and a differential lock option combined with ESC ($1450).

Again topping the Triton range is the GLX-R 4x4 dual-cab, which continues to be priced at $47,990 for the manual, with the new five-speed auto option now costing $2500.

As before, the GLX-R gains Mitsubishi’s ‘Super Select’ 4WD system, ESC and side/curtain airbags, 17x7.0-inch alloys, privacy glass, rear power windows, a 1DIN AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with steering wheel controls and aux-in, Bluetooth hands-free and the option of Mitsubishi’s Multi Communication System (MMCS), comprising AM/FM/CD/CD-R/CR-RW/DVD/MP3/WMA playback, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, and satellite-navigation ($3000).