Mike Sinclair•6 Mar 2013
NEWS
GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Triton concept unveiled
Concept for now, but Mitsubishi Australia can't get this next generation Triton quickly enoughMitsubishi's star car in Geneva wasn't a car, but rather the next generation Triton LCV. Dubbed Concept GR-HEV, the crew-cab pick-up concept combines a new generation turbo-diesel powertrain with an electric drive system to (potentially) bring hybrid technology to the one-tonner marketplace for the first time.
Even without the electrification, however, GR-HEV [Grand Runner Hybrid Electric Vehicle] is an important vehicle for Mitsubishi – especially Down Under.
Triton is Mitsubishi's best selling local nameplate and in 2012 accounted for almost one in every three cars the troubled Japanese brand sold in Australia. In the face of much newer opposition in the growing 4x2 and 4x4 one-tonne LCV marketplace, a new Triton can't arrive soon enough.
Triton caused a stir when its swoopy body styling broke with square-rigged LCV tradition with the ML series' introduction in 2006. GR-HEV is still around 18 months away from production, suggesting we can expect to see the MO [?] series Triton on sale Down under in 2014. Though perhaps not in diesel hybrid form...
Mitsubishi says the FR ('Front-engined/Rear-wheel drive') diesel-hybrid system that powers the GR-HEV is still "under development" but claims on road that the system can deliver CO2 emission levels of below 149g/km. This translates to fuel economy of around 5.7L/100km – equivalent to the thriftiest of Mitsubishi's ASX compact soft-roader range. The best diesel Triton currently returns a combined figure of over 8.0L/100km.
The drivetrain too is a step beyond Mitsubishi's current best. Says the blurb on the new car its Super Select 4WD has been "honed in the Pajero series" and Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) integrated stability and traction control systems deliver "high stability traction and driving performance under all road conditions".
Mitsubishi also used the Geneva Show to lift the covers on its newest EV, the CA-MiEV concept. Essentially a replacement for the I-MiEV, which spearheaded Mitsubishi's foray into EVs, the CA promises all all-electric range of up to 300km. No news yet on production plans.
For our full coverage head to motoring.com.au for the latest Geneva motor show news
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Triton
Car News
4x4 Offroad Cars
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Written byMike Sinclair
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalists
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