Triton Finally Here

After a long wait Mitsubishi South Africa finally launched the new Triton locally, more than a year after it was launched in other markets such as Australia. JACO KIRSTEN got behind thewheel.

There are usually a couple of questions people ask about the new Triton, such as why it wasn’t launched earlier. The reason for this is the knock our currency took after Nenegate. Unlike companies such as Toyota and Ford, who build their bakkies locally, the Triton is fully imported from the East, so Mitsubishi wouldn’t have been able to sell them profitably.

But with the rand's value having improved a bit lately, Mitsubishi was able to go ahead and start ordering them.

The other question people ask is how much it differs from the Fiat Fullback, which is based on the Triton. The simple answer is that the proportions and interior spaces are identical, but as far as engine and transmission are concerned, there’s a huge difference. The reason for this is the fact that the Fiat uses the previous generation 2.5 turbodiesel and a relatively old five-speed gearbox, compared to the new Triton’s 2.4 litre power plant and six-speed transmissions.

Exterior design and interior

As far as appearance is concerned, the Triton isn’t just a major redesign, but the load bin is now also bigger and deeper than that of its predecessor. But these are obvious things one can judge with a measuring tape. What is interesting is Mitsubishi’s claim of the Triton being the most aerodynamic double cab on the market. One of the reasons for this is the upper part of the nose and bonnet’s downward slope. This isn’t achieved at the expense of approach angle though, as it also has a class leading approach angle of 28 degrees. The other consequence of this design is the driver’s good forward vision, especially when negotiating tight technical terrain. Combine that with the smallest turning circle in class (5,9 metres) and you have a fairly nimble bakkie in confined spaces.