New Triton to share parts with Nissan Navara

First elements of Mitsubishi's future, as part of the Renault Nissan Alliance, are beginning to emerge with confirmation the next-generation Triton will share elements of the Nissan Navara.

Meanwhile, according to Mitsubishi's chief operating officer, Trevor Mann, the current Triton will receive a mid-life update based on the current iteration some time before 2020.

"What we would do is say 'which is the best [of the two vehicles]'," Mann said of the future Navara-Triton strategy.

"And we could be talking powertrains, we could be talking about platforms – we would say 'which, technically, is the best platform, which is best in terms of performance and in terms of a cost point of view'."

The Triton-Navara tie-up is one of many issues on the table for Mitsubishi and Nissan as the two companies navigate the contents of their new alliance.

Mann said the first joint model would be delivered in: "2020, 2021".

"What Mitsubishi wants as the key attributes for its pick-up will be engineered by Mitsubishi. What Nissan wants for its pick-up will be engineered by Nissan," Mann said of the Triton and Navara tie-up.

"What you normally have is a quality target table at the beginning of a new model. Of course you can't tick all the boxes when this happens, you just can't do it.

"Certain manufacturers see that certain things are important … it would skew some areas of the design, the size…"