Mitsubishi reveals its boxy sixth generation new Triton
This is the new sixth generation Mitsubishi Triton revealed in Thailand this morning. Shockingly faithful to Auto’s exclusive March render, it’s all new from the ground up. Riding on a new lighter, stronger and 40%. more rigid high-tensile steel rich body-on-frame platform, new Triton also gets a more powerful range of bi-turbodiesel engines.
A New bi-turbodiesel four cylinder
The new 4N16 2.4-litre four-pot comes three states of tune turning either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Base models make 110 kW and 330 Nm, midrange bakkies get a seemingly familiar 135 kW and 430 Nm and flagship models step up to a feisty 150 kW 470 Nm version. Good enough? Let’s wait and see. Mitsubishi is notorious for underquoting outputs, but that’s still 17 kW and 40 Nm up on the old 4N15 engine.
4×4 versions retain the SuperSelect-II system, which continues to offer four 2H, 4H, 4L and 4HLc modes; and 4LLc that automatically lock the diff-lock. Limited slip differential continues as standard on all models. New Triton however gains Super Active Yaw Control, torque vectoring and Eco, Normal, Snow, Gravel, Mud, Sand and Rock driving modes.
New Triton is bigger in every direction
Add a new take on double wishbones up front the good old leaf spring rear suspension. Electric power steering re-tuned for better feedback and sharper turn-in. Front and rear tracks are 50 mm wider and the bak is 35 mm broader. Talking dimensions, new Triton is 15 mm longer, 50 mm wider on a significant 130 mm longer wheelbase with 22 mm more ground clearance.
Off-road breakover, departure and approach angles are all improved and payload is also up, but the big news is that Triton will finally be able to join the big dogs. It will tow a 3,500 kg braked trailer. Triton now also adds Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Mitigation, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, and a surround-view monitor.
That new Triton look. It’s called beast mode!
Far boxier and now bearing a Beast Mode version of Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield styling language, we expect this look to split opinion. The rear end design is a little more evolutionary.
The cabin brings another major step around a horizontally-themed concept. There’s a new steering wheel, seven-inch info screen between an analogue tachometer and speedo. An Outlander-style freestanding nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system happily retains physical switchgear for the climate control above a chunkier gear knob and off-road selector.
Navara’s sister shown in single cab too
Mitsubishi also showed a single cab Triton workhorse. A Thai market Athlete model gets black accents, a unique style bar and black 16-inch alloys. Triton will of course now share its guts with the next Nissan Navara. Expect new Triton in SA sometime next year.
