Mitsubishi Triton Raider to lock horns with Navara Warrior

Mitsubishi Australia has given the strongest signal yet that it plans to farewell the current-generation Mitsubishi Triton ute with a new rock-crushing tough-truck flagship designed to bloody the noses of the locally-developed Volkswagen Amarok W580X, Nissan Navara Pro4X Warrior and Toyota HiLux Rogue.

The Japanese brand’s Australian arm today told carsales it is now actively pursuing a locally-developed off-road dual-cab 4x4 ute to cap off the current Mitsubishi Triton range before it’s retired in about 18 months.

“What I can say is that we’ve been approached by an independent third party who sees value in doing exactly that [building a Triton tough-truck],” said Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited CEO, Shaun Westcott.

“We agree with them and we agree that there is space for something like that and we are involved in very serious discussions with them,” said Mitsubishi’s Australian chief, who refused to name the independent engineering firm with which he’s discussing the new apex ute.

Mitsubishi filed a trademark application for the Raider name in Australia in February 2022 and Westacott hinted the Triton Raider moniker was on the list of desirable badges for the new ute, which is expected to be based on the top-spec Triton GSR 4x4 dual-cab, which is currently priced at $55,690 plus on-road costs.

If it gets the green light for local development and production, expect to see the butch new utility augmented with range of factory-backed off-road modifications such as upgraded suspension including a lift kit, all-terrain wheels and tyres, a revised front-end with built-in LED light bar, underbody protection including a front bash plate, rear sports bar and more – much like the Warrior, W580X and Rogue.

“The demand’s there,” said Westacott. “You see what Nissan is doing with Premcar and the Navara Warrior; they can’t build enough of them and they’re outselling their traditional models.

“So we do believe there’s a place in the market and we’re happy to have these discussions and hopefully they lead to something really good,” he said.

As with its chief competitors, the Triton Raider is unlikely to bring modifications under the bonnet, which in this case means a carryover 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (133kW/430Nm), due to the high cost of development and validation that would require.

But as sales of the aging Triton continue to skyrocket late in its lifecycle, Mitsubishi is clearly looking to capitalise on its success in Australia’s single biggest new-vehicle segment, where demand is surging for outback-ready vehicles off the showroom floor.

“Triton is smashing records. The demand and popularity for that vehicle is amazing. We have multiple million kilometre Tritons and we build good products. That’s why can we can provide a 10-year warranty,” said the Mitsubishi Australia boss.

“We have the certainty that we build good cars and our customers know that.”

The last time the Japanese brand offered a special-edition ute in Australia was in 2019, when the Mitsubishi Triton Toby Price Edition was released sporting mostly cosmetic upgrades including a nudge bar with built-in LED light bar.

It won’t be long before we know whether Mitsubishi has pulled the trigger on a swansong Triton tough-truck, given the next-generation Triton is on track to be revealed in the first half of 2023, ahead of sales beginning late next year – COVID and semi-conductor delays notwithstanding.

If it eventuates and Mitsubishi successfully secures the nameplate, we expect the 2023 Mitsubishi Triton Raider to be launched early next year and available for the remainder of the current Triton’s final year on sale.

“What I can say at this point is, watch this space,” said the Mitsubishi Australia chief.

Pictured: Mitsubishi Triton Absolute concept

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