"Top-level performance" for next Mitsubishi Triton

The next-generation Mitsubishi Triton will be tougher, more capable and will also offer “top-level performance”, says the car-maker’s head of design.

While COVID-19 has delayed its arrival until 2022 at the earliest, the next-generation has been the subject of persistent speculation – particularly around the introduction of plug-in hybrid technology for both the Triton and its all-new Nissan Navara sister model.

None of the current generation of mid-size utes currently offer an electrified powertrain, but there are expectations that will change with next year’s all-new Ford Ranger and its twin under the skin, the Volkswagen Amarok, and the next Toyota HiLux due around 2024.

Speaking with Australian media this week, Mitsubishi’s head of design, Seiji Watanabe, revealed the new Triton will be a “surprise for the eyes” and a significant departure from the outgoing Triton.

“[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,” Watanabe-san said.

“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 has already confirmed its PHEV tech is suitable for next-generation off-road models such as the Triton and its closely related SUV, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.

Watanabe-san refused to be drawn on whether the next-gen Triton’s design was influenced by electrification in any form, only pointing out Mitsubishi’s significant investment in PHEV R&D.

“Based on the Mitsubishi technology and unique know-how from our R&D activity – and that image is very important – we put this attitude into the truck design as well,” he said.

A Mitsubishi spokeswoman added: “We have said in our sustainability plan and elsewhere that PHEV is very important to our sustainability and product planning.

“Other manufacturers feel the same – this is the future of automotive – challenges of designing for electric vehicles/plug-in electric vehicles”.

The next-generation Mitsubishi Triton is being built in parallel with the Nissan Navara and will be the first to market around 2022.

Senior 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 by 2025 “electrification will have to happen”.

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 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.

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