SPY PICS: New Mitsubishi Triton spied for the first time

The sixth-generation Mitsubishi Triton has been spotted testing for the first time, in the arctic climes of Sweden.

Expected to arrive in Australia in the second half of 2023, Mitsubishi’s all-new mid-size ute is one of the most anticipated vehicles from the Japanese car-maker in years.

The replacement for Mitsubishi’s best-selling model locally will form the basis of the next-generation Nissan Navara, which won’t appear before 2024, in the same way the Isuzu D-MAX and Mazda BT50 share the same platform, and just like the new Ford Ranger will spawn the next Volkswagen Amarok.

Also as part of the ‘leader/follower’ strategy announced by the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance back in 2020, the new Triton and Navara Renault are expected to introduce plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain technology to dual-cab ute segment.

Senior Mitsubishi global executives have previously made it clear that a PHEV version of the ute was all but locked in, confirming in 2018 at the facelifted Triton’s launch in Thailand that “electrification will have to happen” by 2025.

A year later, Mitsubishi’s then chief operating officer (and now Nissan COO) Ashwani Gupta reiterated that PHEV was the preferred electrification option for the Triton, although he also noted that a conventional non-plug-in hybrid powertrain option was also on the table.

Gupta said “the specific requirements of the next Triton – which is towing capacity, which is payload” were key considerations guiding its hybrid powertrain development.

Mitsubishi has also shown a variety of hybrid concepts, such as the GR-HEV ute in 2013 (pictured) and more recently the 2019 Mi-Tech show car, which showed off both hybrid tech and bold front-end styling cues that could be seen on the next Triton.

The Triton test mule photographed here doesn’t give away too much about the next-generation model’s design, utilising what appears to be the current version’s body.

However, it is speculated the new Triton will feature a longer wheelbase while ushering in what Mitsubishi describes as a ‘tough’ and ‘surprising’ new design language.

“[The new Triton] will be very powerful, clearly tougher than today, clearly more powerful [visually] than today, clearly sleeker and also deliver trust for your activities,” Mitsubishi’s head of design, Seiji Watanabe, told Australian media last year.

“The truck program doesn’t have to be elegant. It will be tougher, more rugged, more capable, more professional. You can see more after a couple of years, but you can see with a very surprising eye.

“Mitsubishi design wants to go to the top level of performance, and robust and tough direction.”

Mitsubishi is leading the development program for the Triton-Navara tie-up, and is expected to undertake a rigorous stint in Australia’s harshest settings as part of its engineering program.

The new Triton will replace the fifth-generation model that was first introduced in 2014 and underwent a significant visual facelift in 2018. The new model was originally expected to hit showrooms this year, until COVID-related delays pushed back its development.

A Mitsubishi Australia spokesperson said the car-maker would reveal more details of its drivetrain line-up closer to its launch.