2024 Mitsubishi Triton ute makes world debut

The bigger and bolder new 2024 Mitsubishi Triton has made its global premiere in Bangkok, brandishing a striking new ‘Beast Mode’ design theme ahead of its Australian release early next year.  

On sale from today in Thailand, where production of Australia’s version begins in December, the replacement for Mitsubishi Australia’s top-selling model rides on an all-new ladder frame platform and brings a more powerful new twin-turbo diesel engine, more safety equipment and a higher-tech cabin.

Punctuated by a striking new ‘Dynamic Shield’ front-end design, the sixth-generation Mitsubishi Triton takes on a bold and blocky new persona with squared-off wheel-arches and grows in every dimension to take on newer and more popular utes including the Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-MAX.

New Triton dimensions

In volume-selling dual-cab 4x4 pick-up form, the first all-new Triton since 2015 measures 5320mm long (up 15mm), 1865mm wide (+50mm) and the same 1795mm high as its predecessor, but rides on a 3130mm wheelbase – up a big 130mm.

But in flagship 'Athlete' form, which is expected to again be known as the GSR in Australia, the new Triton measures 5360mm long (up 65mm on its predecessor), 1930mm wide (+115mm) and 1815mm high (+40mm).

That makes it 40mm longer overall and 45mm longer in wheelbase than the top-selling Toyota HiLux, but 90mm narrower than the wide-body HiLux Rogue, and just 10mm shorter overall but 140mm shorter in wheelbase than the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, as well as 12mm wider but 70mm lower.

The top-shelf Triton variant is also distinguished by a body-coloured grille, black highlights on the grille surround, door-handles and bumpers, a 'sailplane' sports bar, black wheel-arch flares, black roof rails and orange-accented leather trim and interior highlights.

Mitsubishi is claiming class-leading tray volume thanks to a 35mm-longer (1555mm) and 75mm wider (1545mm) tub for the dual-cab (width remains 1545mm and height 525mm), and although payload and towing capacities are yet to be announced, both are expected to increase – the latter from 3100kg to 3500kg, matching the class leaders.

The cargo bed height has been lowered by 45mm to 820mm, the upper rear bumper surface has been enlarged and reinforced for use as a step, minimum ground clearance is 222mm, approach angle is 29 degrees, departure angle 22.8 degrees and rampover angle 23.4 degrees.

In a surprise move, drum rear brakes are retained, behind 320mm ventilated front discs, and wheel sizes measure up to 18-inch with 265/60R18 tyres.

New Triton powertrain

As Mitsubishi announced three weeks ago, also up for the new Triton will be engine performance courtesy of a “newly developed” 4N16 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel that has the same 2442cc capacity, the same 86.0x105.1mm bore and stroke dimensions and the same 16-valve DOHC layout as the 4N15 engine it replaces.

But the big addition is an extra turbocharger, resulting in the Triton’s first twin-turbo diesel engine and outputs of 150kW of power (up from 133kW) at 3500rpm, matching the most popular utes, and 470Nm of torque over 1500-2750rpm (up from 430Nm at 2500rpm), which falls slightly short of the HiLux and Ranger but out-muscles the 140kW/450Nm outputs of the D-MAX, Mazda BT-50 and Nissan Navara.

The twin sequential turbo engine, comprising a smaller turbo for low-rpm performance and a larger turbo to boost high-rpm output, will be the sole engine offered in Australia’s Triton, but two variable-geometry single-turbo versions of the 2.4-litre diesel (outputting 135kW/430Nm and 110kW/330Nm) will be available in Thailand – the world’s biggest Triton market, followed by Australia.

No fuel consumption figures have yet been released, but Mitsubishi is claiming “improved environmental performance” and the new Triton’s beefed-up twin-turbo diesel will be available with either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, the latter with Sport mode.

Both transmissions will be matched to the Triton’s tried-and-proven Super Select 4WD-II system, as well as a redesigned suspension and steering package that Mitsubishi says improves ride comfort and steering stability.

New Triton 4x4 systems

The new Triton continues to come with Mitsubishi’s Super Select II 4WD system at the top of the range (Easy Select 4WD for lesser grades), equipped with a torque-sensing limited-slip centre differential (LSD) that sends up to 40 per cent of torque to the front wheels.

Models equipped with the Super Select 4WD-II system offer four options – 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (full-time four-wheel drive), 4HLc (locked centre diff) and 4LLc (locked centre diff in low range) – and seven drive modes including on-road settings (up from four off-road modes in the current model).

Normal mode is available in all 4x4 drive modes, while 2H offers an Eco mode, 4H offers Gravel and Snow modes, 4HLc offers Mud and Sand modes and 4LLc offers Rock mode.

In vehicles equipped with Easy Select 4WD, options are limited to 2H (rear-drive), 4H (locked centre diff) and 4L (low range). A locking rear diff will again be available and both 2WD and 4WD vehicles are equipped with an active brake-controlled limited-slip rear diff.

New Triton technology

As in Thailand, three body styles are once again expected in Australia, including two-door single-cab, extra-cab with cargo space behind the front seats and four-door dual-cab, each offering more occupant space thanks to the larger body.

Australian specs are yet to be confirmed, but Mitsubishi says the new Triton’s “road performance has been greatly enhanced” by features such as upgraded drive modes and new safety and driver assist systems including active stability and traction control (ASTC), forward collision mitigation (FCM), blind spot warning (BSW) with lane change assist (LCA), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), adaptive cruise control (ACC), hill descent control (HDC), hill start assist (HSA) and, in vehicles equipped with the Super Select 4WD-II system, active yaw control (AYC).

In some markets, the Mitsubishi Connect telematics system will automatically report the deployment of an airbag, allow one-touch call centre contact in the event of an accident or breakdown and, via smartphone, enable access to functions including remote start, vehicle location, fuel and oil level, headlight/horn operation, climate control pre-conditioning, drive history and other vehicle state data.

No Australian multimedia details have yet been confirmed, but expect at least top-shelf versions of the new Triton to come with the same 9.0-inch tablet-style infotainment touch-screen as the Outlander SUV, complete with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, Bluetooth voice control and native satellite-navigation including traffic sign recognition.

New Triton chassis

The 2024 Mitsubishi Triton retains its double-wishbone front and live-axle rear suspension architectures, but the latter’s leaf springs are lighter and its shock absorbers thicker, and for 4WD and 2WD High Rider variants the former’s upper arm mounting has been moved upward to increase the front coil suspension stroke by 20mm.

Mitsubishi says the longer wheelbase’s increased turning circle has been minimised at 12.4 metres (which still betters the HiLux, Ranger and D-MAX), and that the move to electric power assistance for the rack-and-pinion steering system in all high-output models (so all vehicles sold in Australia) provides more assistance at low speeds, increased feedback at high speeds and less kickback on rough surfaces.

The Japanese car-maker claims the new ladder frame has a 65 per cent greater cross-sectional area than the outgoing Triton’s, delivering a 40 per cent increase in bending rigidity and a 60 per cent increase in torsional rigidity, aiding on-road performance, ride comfort, durability and energy dispersion in the event of a collision.

No kerb weights have been disclosed, but Mitsubishi says the larger vehicle’s weight increases have been minimised by increasing the ratio of high-tensile steel in its construction, while the body is lighter thanks to the use of a new 1180MPa high-tensile steel.

New Triton design

Created under a design theme dubbed ‘Beast Mode’, the new Triton features a ‘Dynamic Shield’ front-end design featuring a three-dimensional grille and fenders, three L-shaped LED daytime running lights under a clamshell bonnet and three-element headlights below them.

The grille is body-coloured on flagship models, while the Dynamic Shield garnish, door mirrors, door handles, rear styling bar and roof rails are black, and the underside of the front, sides and rear is dark titanium.

The body sides are dominated by bulging square wheel-arch flares, with optional gloss and matte black extensions available for top-shelf variants, while other noteworthy additions include T-shape tail-light motifs, bigger and more durable door-handles, and wider side steps with improved water drainage.

Inside, the ‘Horizontal Axis’ dashboard design looks a lot like the latest Outlander’s, comprising a large central ‘floating’ touch-screen, soft pads on key touch points, metallic highlights, chunky but tactile dials and switches, USB-A and USB-C ports on the centre console and a wireless smartphone charger at the bottom of the centre stack.

Storage provisions include two large cup holders on the centre console, a console box large enough to house four 600ml bottles, and a glove box that can store tablets and clipboards.

New front seats are said to provide firm lower back support while allowing upper body movement, while a 20mm higher hip point improves visibility and more vertical A-pillars widen the front door openings to improve ingress/egress.

Rear-seat passengers are treating to class-leading knee room, claims Mitsubishi, plus redesigned seats, overhead air-conditioning outlets and both USB-A and USB-C ports.

There is no mechanical park brake as in Ranger and the VW Amarok, but Mitsubishi says the new Triton's engine sump plug has been moved to allow oil changes without removing the under-cover and a wide range of accessories will be available once again.

New exterior paint colours Yamabuki Orange Metallic and Blade Silver Metallic join White Diamond, Solid White, Graphite Gray Metallic and Jet Black Mica solid hues.

New Triton – a global pick-up

Mitsubishi has sold about 5.6 million pick-up trucks over five generations since 1978, including almost 27,500 in Australia last year, when the Triton was the nation’s third most popular ute behind the HiLux and Ranger.

That makes the sixth-generation Triton, which is known as the L200 in some markets and will form the basis of the next-generation Nissan Navara, a vitally important global pick-up for the company – and for Australia, traditionally its largest market outside Thailand.

“The key features of the all-new Triton were exclusively developed by Mitsubishi Motors, including a robust ladder frame and body, tough chassis, powerful and driver-friendly engine and 4WD system that achieves excellent road handling and stability,” said Mitsubishi Motors president and CEO, Takao Kato.

“With production ultimately expected to reach 200,000 vehicles in over 100 countries, the all-new Triton is an extremely important model that will provide foundational support for Mitsubishi Motors, as well as the first global strategic vehicle to be rolled out at the start of our growth phase.”

Stand by for more Australian details tomorrow.

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