Mitsubishi Triton Xtreme ute confirmed

The long-awaited Mitsubishi Triton tough truck has finally been outed via the federal government’s homologation database, which confirms the program, name and key mechanical details for the flagship ute that’s set to launch later this year.

Walkinshaw Automotive has also inadvertently revealed itself as the mastermind behind the project given the local design and engineering firm was the one to submit what should be the toughest Triton yet for ADR approval.

The Mitsubishi Triton Xtreme – as it’s labelled in the documents – is still to be officially confirmed by the Japanese car-maker, however carsales understands that it will act as a swansong for the current generation ahead of the incoming next-gen Triton’s local launch early in 2024, along similar lines to the Walkinshaw-developed W-series Volkswagen Amarok.

As the photographs show, the Xtreme will feature a contrasting black decal set, flared guards, an upgraded wheel and tyre combination, sports bars and an LED light strip integrated into the front bumper.

The homologation data confirms unique 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/60 all-terrain rubber, but evidence of harder-core upgrades beyond the aesthetics are conspicuous only by their absence.

A passage in the remarks tab of the Xtreme’s road vehicle descriptor lists the modifications as the ‘Xtreme’ trim pack “including wheels/tyres, body trim (wheel arch flares), sump guard”.

It’s possible Walkinshaw has retuned the GSR’s standard double-wishbone front and leaf-sprung rear suspension to be more compliant on-road and better suited to rougher terrain off-road.

But engineering modifications don’t appear to extend to powertrain – as per the Amarok and the Premcar-engineered Nissan Navara Warrior, but in contrast to the inbound Toyota HiLux GR Sport.

Based on the data, the Triton’s 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel continues unchanged, still churning out a segment-lagging 133kW of power.

A six-speed automatic is the only transmission listed, which in classic high-grade Triton fashion will drive all four wheels via Mitsubishi’s SuperSelect II 4x4 system.

Low-range and a locking rear differential are also par for the course, even if a meaningful increase in ground clearance – a hallmark of the hero pick-up segment – is sorely missing.

The Xtreme has a listed ground clearance of just 215mm – 5mm less than the current GSR flagship and easily the least of any flagship ute on the market right now.

Beyond the more aggressive tread and carcass, the Xtreme’s tyre profile is the same as the Triton GSR’s and, indeed, most other high-end ute offerings.

At least the underbody will be well protected against rocks and other hard surfaces when the belly does eventually touch down with terra firmer courtesy of the beefier skid plate.

The Xtreme’s chunkier tyres, angry aesthetics and new underbody protection have added 12kg to the GSR’s 1999kg kerb weight (2011kg), which has in turn reduced payload by 12kg to 889kg – a figure that’s still marginally better than the Toyota HiLux Rogue (854kg) and Ford Ranger Raptor (753kg).

The maximum braked towing capacity is rated at 3100kg as per lesser Triton variants – less than the Rogue and Mazda BT-50 Thunder (3500kg), but more than the Raptor (2500kg).

Mitsubishi Australia has declined to comment on the Triton Xtreme, but the timeline between its launch and the arrival of the next-generation Triton will be tight.

The all-new Triton is scheduled to make its global debut in the coming months, but with an Aussie launch not anticipated until early next year, a window of about six months would be open for the Xtreme if it launches mid-year.

Sources have told carsales that dealers are crying out for Mitsubishi in Japan to officially sign off on the program in a bid to get the Xtreme into showrooms for as long as possible before the new model changeover. 

Expect pricing to start north of $60,000 given the standard GSR currently starts from $56,940 plus on-road costs.

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