Sixth generation Triton has finally arrived in South Africa. Image: Mitsubishi
Systematically delayed ever since its world unveiling in Thailand last year, Mitsubishi Motors South Africa has finally announced price and specification details of the all-new Triton.
Supposed to have gone on-sale months after making its public debut at the Nampo Agricultural Expo in Bothaville in the Free State in May this year, the sixth generation Triton introduces a comprehensive 11 model range to South Africa, all powered by the revised 4N16 2.4-litre DI-D turbodiesel engine.
Known internally as the LC, the Triton ushers in a new platform and structure made largely out of high tensile materials Mitsubishi says has 65% more cross-sectional areas than the outgoing KJ that had been on-sale since 2015.
ALSO READ: Hilux and Ranger beware: Ground-up new Mitsubishi Triton revealed
Fitted with a longer double wishbone suspension at the front and increased leaf springs as well as new shock absorbers at the rear, the Triton also gets an enlarged rear stabiliser bar, wider front and rear tracks and retuned electric power steering.
Dimensionally, the Thai-sourced Triton again offers a choice of single or double cab bodystyles with the cab-and-a-half ClubCab remaining an absentee.
In both instances, overall length comes to 5 320 mm, height to 1 795 mm, width to 1 865 mm and wheelbase to 3 130 mm.
Claimed ground clearance is 200 mm for the single cab with an additional 21 mm being availed to the four-wheel-drive. Somewhat surprisingly, no details surrounding payload or towing capacity were made available.
By comparison, only the entry-level GL double cab comes with the 221 mm rating as the rest of the range offers-up 226 mm. While the payload is again missing, a tow rating of 3 500 kg is provided for all models.
In addition to its new underpinnings, the Triton’s Dakar-derived SuperSelect-II four-wheel-drive system still comes with the same settings; 2H, 4H, 4L, 4HLc and 4LLc with the latter automatically locking the rear differential once selected.
While a limited slip differential is again standard, Mitsubishi has equipped higher-end four-wheel-drive double cab with a first-time drive mode selector offering six settings; Eco, Normal, Gravel, Snow, Mud and Rock that can only be selected in 4HLc or 4LLc.
As in Thailand, the Triton has a claimed breakover angle of 23.6-degrees, departure of 22.8-degrees and approach of 30.4-degrees. The new Super Active Yaw Control system also features, but only the four-wheel-drive versions from the GLS up.
In terms of models, the Triton comes with a full range of trim grade denominators for the first time, largely modelled on those of the Australian market version.
The range, therefore, starts off the GL that can be had in double cab guise and as the sole option for the single cab.
Standard spec, on the latter, comprises 16-inch steel wheels, a two-speaker sound system, a 3.5-inch instrument cluster display, Hill Start Assist, dual front airbags and Brake Override System.
Included on the GL 4×4 are electric windows and mirrors, auto lock/unlock doors and a USB and Bluetooth-enabled sound system with two speakers as well as voice recognition.
Opening the double cab range, the four-wheel-drive only GL gets the same 16-inch steelies and audio system, but adds a rear bumper, fabric instead of vinyl seat upholstery, keyless entry, side-steps, a rear armrest and rear air-conditioning vents.
Upping the ante considerably more, the mentioned GLS gets 18-inch alloy wheels, colour-coded bumpers and door handles, chrome window surrounds, a chrome tailgate handle and finishing on the Dynamic Shield grille, LED head and fog lamps, heated and folding electric mirrors and LED taillights.
Also standard are the following;
Specific to South Africa, Mitsubishi has made three additional GLS-based models available with a series of unique exterior additions.
For the Athlete, these include black 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Dunlop AT5 all-terrain tyres, a rubberised loadbin, a blacked-out B-pillar, black door handles, wheel arch cladding and roof rails, silver Athlete badges and a black sports bar.
Celebrating 46 years of bakkie manufacturing this year, the Edition 46 receives the same exterior trim pieces as the Athlete, but with 18-inch alloys, Edition 46 badges, a standard nudge bar, black canopy, roof rack and a removable kitchen and table.
A Raw suspension kit, that increases the ground clearance to 266 mm, can additionally be fitted as a cost option.
Finally, the Xtreme also retains the same furnishings as the Athlete, but with Xtreme badges, side door mouldings, chunkier wheel arch cladding, inner spoke and studded wheels, bonnet protection film and a blacked-out grille.
Up front, the mentioned 4N16 oil-burner has been made available in two states of tune, but omits the twin-turbo option that develops 150kW/470Nm.
As such, outputs stand at 81kW/200Nm in the GL with the sole transmission option being a six-speed manual.
In the GLS, Athlete, Edition and Xtreme, the mill has been ramped-up to produce 135kW/430Nm as it does in Thailand and Australia.
On the former, a six-speed automatic is standard with the six-speed manual being reserved solely for the 4×4. For the latter pair, the self-shifter makes for the sole option.
In terms of colours, six hues have been allocated; white, White Diamond, Graphite Grey Metallic, Blade Silver Metallic, Impulse Blue Metallic and Yamabuki Orange Metallic.
Included with each Triton’s price tag is a five-year/unlimited km warranty and a five-year/90 service plan.
NOW READ: VIDEO: New Mitsubishi Triton and Xforce debut publicly at Nampo
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
