Overview
WHILE technically the primary drive of Mitsubishi’s new Triton on Australia soil, the off-road solely stint within the new era one-tonner gave restricted perception into the automobile’s dynamics and really feel aside from flogging it throughout some sand dunes and negotiating some mud puddles and rocky tracks however we took the chance anyway.
The mannequin is due for native launch mid-February subsequent 12 months and we suspect Mitsubishi wished to remain entrance of thoughts with potential patrons over the Christmas break earlier than the “actual” launch.
So, it was off to Peake sand dunes in South Australia for our check drive loops in pre-production variations of the GLS and GSR prime quality variants full with the superior SuperSelect II 4WD system and flash paint jobs.
Pre-production automobiles are nearly absolutely shaped variations of the particular manufacturing fashions you and I purchase from a vendor however rather less resolved and somewhat tough across the edges.
The check automobiles demonstrated positive factors throughout the board over the predecessor mannequin with which it shares just about nothing, even the T-R-I-T-O-N sort face on badging has been modified.
For comparability functions, Mitsubishi Australia had a present mannequin Triton GLS alongside for the drive which can have been unwise as a result of it stays an excellent factor off-road… and on-road for that matter.
The brand new twin turbo 2.4-litre mannequin now with 150kW and 470Nm is priced up by fairly just a few thousand bucks offset by being completely new from the bottom up containing extra normal equipment and improved security tech together with better payload capability, improved off highway functionality and towing now rated at 3500kg.
Mitsu’ sought suggestions from present Triton house owners when creating the brand new mannequin and it exhibits via in key areas such because the direct electrical steering, journey high quality and grunty however smoother engine that makes use of as little as a claimed 7.7 litres per 100km.
The chunky styling seems good within the metallic with numerous fashions having completely different physique {hardware} colors, finishes and designs parts equivalent to rock rails and sail planes.
The penultimate GLS grade pushed at Peake, that may checklist at $59,090 excluding on-road prices, runs 18-inch alloys, Tremendous Choose II four-wheel drive system with locking centre differential, three leaf consolation rear suspension, a tray mattress liner, heated wing mirrors, LED exterior lighting, a gloss black grille, dual-zone local weather management, terrain- and hill descent management, keyless entry and ignition, an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, and a wi-fi machine charger.
Consumers can spend an additional $1500 for the non-compulsory leather-based upholstery, heated entrance seats and energy driver’s seat adjustment.
The gold GSR prime quality mannequin at Peake that may checklist at $63,840 excluding on-road prices provides 18-inch alloys in black, a body-coloured grille, wheel arch mouldings, styling bar, roof rails, and leather-based upholstery with orange stitching, GSR-branded flooring mats and energy driver ’s seat adjustment.
The Triton contains a broadened security suite that now consists of entrance cross-traffic alert and a driver monitoring system along with ahead collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, bike owner detection, junction help, rear AEB, and a centre airbag.
Driving Impressions
Regardless of the restricted driving alternatives, it was clear from our two- or three hours behind the wheel and within the passenger seat of the brand new Triton that it’s a large step-up over the older, much less highly effective and narrower mannequin. Straight up, the chassis feels stiffer, the wheels extra planted and the suspension extra supple to say nothing of the sharper electrical, variable charge steering that now requires fewer (3.3) turns lock to lock.
Greater dampers grace the brand new mannequin for positive factors in journey high quality consistency giving extra resistance to fade in exhausting going as was the case within the sand dunes.
Regardless of lengthy units of sandy whoops that felt like tough seas in a small boat, the Triton retained its supple journey all day isolating the worst from the passenger compartment that made driving simpler.
The double wishbone entrance suspension and lengthy journey leaf springs with a reside axle on the rear has sufficient droop (wheel articulation) to maintain all 4 wheels on the bottom more often than not and the softer three-leaf rear suspension discovered on greater spec fashions was ultimate for the circumstances encountered.
Decrease grade Triton will get firmer four-leaf spring rear suspension in expectation of load carrying duties.
Each check automobiles rolled on H/T rubber that was fairly good for sand driving however much less so within the mud. Mud pluggin’ tyres are a ache on sealed roads so the usual fitment is an effective compromise for GLS and GSR Triton that may seemingly be handled as SUVs.
At 18psi, the tyres helped preserve a selected monitor via the convoluted sand trails and hills on the demonstration space.
Additional again within the drivetrain we discovered the disc/drum brakes to be utterly sufficient for the duty by no means displaying any fade or overheating however drums are out of the ark and haven’t any place on a 2024 off highway one-tonne ute regardless of Mitsubishi speaking them up.
Possibly Mitsu’ will improve the brakes to the 21st century within the subsequent iteration of Triton…
The inflexible rear axle has a locking diff’ for added traction in powerful going however wasn’t wanted on the demonstration drive. We’d wish to see what circumstances demand partaking the locker… they’d be fairly intimidating, we reckon.
Floor clearance wasn’t a difficulty for the longish ute that ignored sharp inclines simply with out bellying out. Identical utilized to the rear overhang which stored the rear bumper away from obstacles all day.
Each check automobiles had plastic tray-bed liners however we will’t communicate for decrease spec fashions suffice to say all Tritons ought to have a tray mattress liner as normal… and towing preparation.
The twin cab has a 1000kg payload and can match a regular Euro pallet between the wheel arches.
In the course of the demonstration drive, we made some extent of maxing out the passenger capability with 5 adults aboard. The center rear occupant wasn’t all that completely satisfied however everybody else was and the five hundred odd kilos of “meat” on board made little distinction to how the Triton carried out total.
Engine efficiency was tough to evaluate as a result of we didn’t exceed about 80km/h tops. Nonetheless, with hydraulic lifters and different friction decreasing measures, it runs easily and quietly like a petroleum engine with out even the slightest diesel tick or rumble.
It’s grunty and will get on the enhance shortly for close to instantaneous throttle response that was useful for blasting up some actually steep sand hills like a buggy.
Gasoline use throughout the day was minimal and confirmed round 9.0L/100km in gradual driving circumstances. Fairly distinctive all issues thought of (off-road driving in sand often presents approach greater gas consumption averages).
We couldn’t inform what it might be like out on the freeway…. most likely higher than the earlier mannequin although at 4000rpm, the engine redline is low and there are “solely” six ratios within the auto field.
We skilled the standard new mannequin frustration with overzealous ADAS in gen’ six Triton most of which may be turned off via menus however not completely. Flip the Triton off and also you’ll should undergo all of the rigmarole once more once you begin it except you favor to be “tapped on the shoulder” incessantly.
Quite a few off-road drive modes can be found with the SuperSelect II 4WD system, one thing for just about each software however the lesser fashions wouldn’t provide as a lot selection.
The cabin is pretty normal fare dominated by a big centre contact display and a standard instrument pod in entrance of the driving force. Some fashions have a projected ahead picture between the 2 dials which might be useful off highway. Most inner contact factors are delicate however every part else is difficult.
It’s a handsome automobile particularly across the frontal space with distinctive, particular person styling that’s derived from Mitsubishi’s blade entrance design language toned down a notch or two in comparison with different present Mitsubishis.
The Triton is essential for Mitsubishi in Australia and is partly accountable for maintaining the Japanese producer in sight of the “large boys” within the native gross sales race. Priced between the cheapies and the premium fashions equivalent to Ranger, Amarok, D-Max and HiLux, the brand new Triton ought to assist Mitsubishi preserve the established order Down Beneath.
