Triton gets the Walkinshaw treatment

IN THE nick of time, Walkinshaw Performance has introduced a hero version of the current generation Mitsubishi Triton ute – called the Xtreme – priced from $71,990 plus on-road costs; $14K more than the GSR Triton donor vehicle.

A sixth-generation Triton with clean-sheet design and engineering is just around the corner, scheduled for international reveal late next month followed by an Australian debut in September or October

It means Mitsubishi dealers who have ordered 400 of the available 500 limited edition Xtremes might be well advised to get their skates on in finding customers for these tricked-up Tritons.

The Xtreme came to fruition after a number of Mitsubishi dealers sought a competitor for the likes of Nissan’s Navara Pro-4X Warrior two years ago, as well as taking the fight to the Toyota HiLux wide body Rogue and Ford Ranger Wildtrak premium utes.

Walkinshaw Performance then came into the picture as it has runs on the board for engineering and producing short-run limited edition models.

The Ranger Wildtrak 3.0 V6 diesel is priced from $71,990, Navara Pro-4X Warrior is from $67,515 and the wide-body Hilux Rogue is from $70,200 (all before on-road costs) with each developing more power and torque than the Triton Xtreme.

But the current Triton has been a consistent seller during its model life as a value-for-money option against other Japanese-branded one-tonne utes and the Volkswagen Amarok while holding more brand recognition than low-cost competitors such as GWM, SsangYong and LDV.

The Xtreme model is available now through about 100 ‘partner’ Mitsubishi metro and regional dealers, as demand from the bush was low according to Walkinshaw Performance’s commercial director Oliver Lukeis.

Under development for two years, the Triton Xtreme features component design and ideas lifted from other Walkinshaw projects such as the HSV Colorado SportsCat (suspension) and the VW Amarok W580 that were fettled by the performance specialist.

Mr Lukeis said there was not enough time to upgrade the Triton’s engine outputs and pass all homologation requirements, so focused on chassis and styling upgrades for the Xtreme.

“Upgrading engine power and changing things like the exhaust require specific engineering and official approval which all takes time,” he explained.

The Xtreme therefore uses the same 133kW/430Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine under the bonnet as regular Tritons.

“We put a focus on the chassis and the vehicle’s dynamics,” said Mr Lukeis.

“The forged 18-inch wheels reduce weight significantly, allowing the suspension to function better while increasing the Xtreme’s track,” he added.

“The Supashock suspension makes a huge difference to the vehicle’s dynamics and changing the wheel offset gave us an additional 42mm of track for a wider stance and improved stability.

Supashock products are favoured by Walkinshaw for their quality and performance, with those on the Xtreme featuring a 56mm monotube construction with 20mm damper rod. All four units have remote reservoirs for improved heat dissipation and to reduce cavitation. The fronts are full remotes via connecting hoses while the rears are piggy back.

Flared guards are fitted to accommodate the wider track and chunky BF Goodrich 265/60/R18 KO2 all-terrain tyres.

The slightly modified front bar is equipped with a light bar while the front bash plate underneath has been extensively tested in hot weather and at high speeds. A sports bar behind the cab completes the protection package with a soft tonneau cover over the tub.

Inside, five seat Triton Xtreme is GSR spec with leather upholstery and heated front seats. The vehicle’s design age is exemplified in its small info screen and in other human-machine interface areas.

However, important vital statistics for Triton Xtreme are a towing capacity of 2900kg braked and a GCM of 5885kg. The fuel tank holds 75 litres and the 2.0 tonne vehicle uses diesel at a combined rate of 7.9 litres per 100km. It has a payload of 900kg and Mitsubishi’s Super Select II 4x4 system distributes drive through six-speed automatic transmission.

Earlier mentions of a Ralliart Triton were unfounded but that is not to say the new-generation range will lack such a variant before the end of this year.