Exterior updates a lot more prominent than on the previous Athlete. Image: Mitsubishi Malaysia.
Ahead of the reveal of the all-new Mitsubishi Triton in on Wednesday (26 July), South African market pricing has been unearthed of the resurgent Athlete special edition expected to see the current generation out.
Revealed in Thailand in November 2020, the Athlete returns to South Africa after bowing in 2018, a year before the current Triton received its one and only mid-life refresh.
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Still to be detailed fully by Mitsubishi Motors South Africa, the information, uncovered by vehicle information specialists, duoporta.com, shows the Athlete taking-up station between the conventional, unbadged Triton and the special Heritage Edition that went on-sale last year.
Based on the specifications of the Thai model where local market Tritons are sourced from, the Athlete’s unique exterior add-ons are likely to be similar and as such, consist of a black Dynamic Shield grille, unique Athlete decals down the rear doors and on the side of the loadbin, black 18-inch alloy wheels, black tailgate handle and rear bumper, and black side-steps.
Set to be included as well are black finishes for the mirror caps, door handles and roof rails, a standard rubberised loadbin, projector-type bi-LED headlights, a gloss black lower intake, black style bar, black roof, a lighter black front skidplate and black headlight clusters.
Inside, more subtle tweaks have been applied, namely a brushed metal effect finish around the gear lever, orange stitching on the handbrake, gear knob and steering wheel, white stitching on the doors, piano-key black inlays and either black leather or a two-tone black-and-orange leather seats with Athlete branded seatbacks.
Specification is set to be identical to the standard Triton and therefore inclusive of a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, keyless entry and push-button start, reverse camera, rear parking sensors, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control.
Up front, the 4N15 2.4 DI-D turbodiesel engine, which will give way to the upgraded more powerful 4N16 unit in the new Triton, produces an unchanged 133kW/430Nm delivered to the rear or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox.
As previously, the Triton Athlete won’t be offered with a separate two-wheel-drive model, meaning it gets low range as standard, along with an electronic rear diff-lock, plus the SuperSelect-II four-wheel-drive system.
Likely to be available in same colours as the Thai-model, Jet Black Mica, Diamond White Pearl and Sunflare Orange, the Triton Athlete carries a R20 000 premium over the “standard” Triton and has a three-year/100 000 km warranty and five-year/90 000 km service plan included in its price tag.
Information from duoporta.com.
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