Sold as the L200 in select markets, the Triton gets a brand new front end that borrows styling cues from the futuristic GR-HEV concept that was introduced at the 2013 edition of the Geneva Motor Show. It stands out from the outgoing model thanks to a chromed grille with six claw-like horizontal slats, shapely headlights and a muscular-looking bumper with a large air intake, while the rear end is fitted with bigger tail lamps that stretch far into the quarter panel and a sculpted tail gate.
The Single Cab, Double Cab and Club Cab body styles are carried over from the last-gen Triton.
Mitsubishi explains the new Triton is noticeably quieter and more comfortable at high speeds than its predecessor. The truck continues to offer a function-over-form interior but high-end models can be spruced up with niceties like leather upholstery, a touch screen-based infotainment system, a push-button ignition as well as imitation chrome trim on the dashboard, the door panels and the center console.
Triton buyers can choose from three turbodiesel four-cylinder engines whose outputs range from 128 horsepower and 177 lb-ft. of torque to 181 ponies and 317 lb-ft. of twist. A lone gas-burning mill rated at 128 horsepower and 143 lb-ft. of torque is also offered. Mitsubishi has not published key statistics such as payload, towing capacity and gas mileage.
Both rear- and all-wheel drive variants of the Triton are available. The engines are linked to either a five- or a six-speed manual transmission depending on their power output, and select units can be paired with a five-speed automatic gearbox at an extra cost.
The Mitsubishi Triton is on sale now across Thailand. The truck will eventually be sold in about 150 countries scattered around the globe, but the notorious Chicken Tax will likely prevent it from making its way to the United States.
Fiat-badged sibling
Mitsubishi has confirmed that the new Triton will spawn Fiat’s first-ever body-on-frame truck. Set to debut in 2016, the yet-unnamed truck will be sold across Europe and in a host of global markets such as Russia, Africa and Latin America but Fiat is not planning on adding the pickup to its lineup in the United States.
Fiat Professional currently sells a small unibody truck dubbed Strada, and company CEO Sergio Marchionne hopes the addition of a more rugged pickup will help the division sell 600,000 units a year by 2018, up from 431,000 last year.
Leave a Reply