Hero versions of new Mitsubishi Triton likely

Mitsubishi has dropped a solid hint there will be higher-performance off-road and more luxurious on-road versions of the its new sixth-generation 2024 Mitsubishi Triton ute coming in the future.

Due in dealerships next February, the new Triton launches in a compact, six-variant, all-auto range that tops out with the flagship GSR dual-cab 4x4 pick-up priced from $63,840 (plus on-road costs).

Essentially an accessorised black pack, the GSR is mechanically identical to the Mitsubishi Triton GLS ($59,090 plus ORCs).

The other two models in the dual-cab 4x4 ute range – the GLX and GLX+ – share the new triton’s wider and longer ladder frame, locally-tuned suspension, uprated twin-turbo 2.4-litre diesel engine and larger dimensions detailed at the global launch in August.

The GSR and GLS get the sophisticated Super Select II 4x4 system, while the GLX and GLX+ have only a part-time 4x4 system.

However, there are no Triton equivalents for off-road focussed models such as the Ford Ranger Wildtrak X, Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior and Toyota HiLux GR Sport, let alone the wild Ford Ranger Raptor.

And on the other side of what is commonly called a Y strategy in ute marketing parlance, there is as yet no sign of a luxury Triton to compete with the likes of the Ford Ranger Platinum, Toyota HiLux Rogue and Volkswagen Amarok Aventura.

Those models are priced above $80,000 ($90,000 in the case of the Raptor including ORCs), leaving Mitsubishi plenty of pricing and performance room to explore with models branching off above the GSR.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia chief Shaun Westcott was clear the new Triton had been developed to head further upmarket.

“We believe there is a significant amount of opportunity for this platform and for this vehicle in the future,” he said.

“I can’t talk about it too much at this time about our future strategies. Obviously it is a very competitive market.

“But we think this is a platform that allows us to build some very, very interesting opportunities.

“There are lots of interesting opportunities out there.”

However, he stressed the launch strategy of the new Triton was to hit the heart of the ute market.

“What we are focussed on is we are a volume brand and we are really focussing on our core market, which is providing a solution, a workhorse, for the majority of our customers.”

Stoking speculation about a high-performance off-roader, the return to prominence of Mitsubishi’s Ralliart motorsport and tuning brand has been led by the reveal of the Triton-based Asia Cross Country Rally Car (AXCR) racer.

That naturally points to a production version being developed at some point. But there’s been no confirmation of this as yet.

Speaking in generalities after being asked specifically about a Raptor rival, Mitsubishi Motors Australia product strategy chief Owen Thomson’s message was that the ground-up development of the new Triton was performed to make it capable of just such a task.

“We do intend to cover the full range of product,” he said.

“Our focus [at launch] is to really focus on the core customers. What sits behind this car is resetting Triton.

“To be honest, with previous-generation Triton we focussed on certain things.

“With this car it was ‘let’s reset the base for Triton, get it really performing well and have a well-balanced product’.

“So the focus of that is actually to set it up for the future.”

At the other end of the ute pricing spectrum, Mitsubishi has already confirmed there will be cab-chassis and single-cab body styles coming later in 2024, in addition to the dual-cabs and extra-cabs released in February.

More 4x2 variants (there is just one at the moment – the GLX dual-cab) will also be added and a manual transmission will return too.

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