TWEAKED TRITON TURNS UP

Mitsubishi’s mainstay’s makeover

Mitsubishi has unveiled its much-anticipated 2019 model Triton, currently in showrooms around the country.

The Triton has – like so many Mitsubishi products – not only endured but thrived in a very hostile financial environment.

It hasn’t been an easy ride, but the fact is, that along with the Outlander, the ASX, the Pajero and the Mirage, Triton has launched, survived and evolved to take its place as a contemporary utility with a strong position in the overall automotive landscape.

Still unmistakeably a Mitsubishi Triton, the MY19 facelifted model has seen a significant range of enhancements to its transmission, suspension, brakes and 4WD systems as well as acquiring many safety features normally associated with the SUV and passenger car markets.

In fact, one of the most distinctive features of the MY19 facelift occurs right at the front of the ute, which – in addition to being about 40mm taller – adopts the ‘diamond shield’ family face of the Pajero Sport, Outlander and Eclipse Cross – albeit with a more truck-like design, representing strength and durability.

It’s not only a skin-deep measure either. The increase in size of the front face has improved handling in general and specifically that of steering, as it serves to reduce body twisting.

The stronger appearance of the

Triton’s front end is carried through to the front guards of the ute, which are more purposeful being square rather than flared, and they also serve to increase the width of the Triton by 30mm or so.

Looking at the Triton from the side, there is a suggestion of increased strength, but there is also a clear impression that the front and the back saw the lion’s share of the facelift input – with two exceptions: the side steps on two of the 14 model variants – GLX-R and VRX – have a thinner profile and yet gain in foot space, while the exterior mirrors are heated on the GLX-R and VRX models with blind spot monitoring warning lights and cameras for the multi-around view monitoring system adorning the VRX.

At the back, the tray has seen some revisions, with the tailgate integrating a reversing camera for, yes, the GLX-R and VRX models. The tail light cluster has seen a redesign with the VRX – naturally – seeing the greatest improvement: a vertical LED strip defining the rest of the light cluster.

So yes, there’s a sense of ‘fresh bread for a favourite sandwich’ about the externals of the 2019 Triton, but there is more to the improvements than meets the casual glance.

Inside, Triton sees an interior upgrade of significant magnitude with changes to the centre panel, the dashboard display, the centre console, shift panel, door trim, arm rests and cup holders.

By far the most obvious upgrade – to the VRX models anyway (hmm, there seems to be a pattern here), is the inclusion of a rear air circulator. This takes the cool air of the front cabin’s dual zone air conditioning and redirects it to the rear through louvered vents which rear occupants can direct as they wish.

Cosmetically speaking, the interior is something for the train-spotters out there to revel in, but for those more impressed

with technical enhancements, you’ll find the new six-speed transmission is a welcome upgrade from the previous five-speed. Gear ratios are broader, which reduces engine rpm and noise.

As to the 4WD systems, these are largely carry-over from the previous model with the Easy Select system as found on GLX and GLX-R remaining unchanged. The Super Select II system, as found on the VRX, allows for 2WD full time 4WD and locked 4WD with on-the-fly shifts from 2h to 4h, as you take the Triton from paved to unpaved surfaces.

Upgrades to the system now include an all-terrain function for the off-road mode, allowing the best traction to be provided for gravel, sand, mud/snow and rock surfaces. This is further enhanced with the inclusion of hill descent control.

Which takes us neatly to the other driver assistance features of the MY19 Triton.

As with many SUVS and cars, the Triton ute is now equipped with forward collision mitigation which allows the vehicle to first alert the driver by audible and visual warning, then brakes in the event of a potential collision, should the driver not actually do so.

The FCM system uses a forward-facing camera to do its thing and this same camera serves to provide information to the lane departure warning system.

The camera detects a lane marking crossover and alerts the driver to take corrective action.

Triton also comes with blind spot warning and as part of that, lane change assist which increases the range of the blind spot monitoring system when the indicator is used. Another integrated system is rear cross traffic alert when the vehicle is stationary or reversing.

A new system is the ultrasonic missacceleration mitigation system. This detects potential collisions when the vehicle starts from a standstill.

The most obvious demonstration of this is the ute parked nose into a kerb. If for whatever reason, the car is put into gear and the system is active, the throttle will be deactivated, preventing the vehicle from mounting the kerb and colliding with something on the pavement.

Lastly, the Triton comes with the Multi Around View monitoring system. This operates at speeds up to 10km/h and generates a bird’s eye view with five display combinations, controlled through a new button on the already sophisticated steering wheel, which offers Bluetooth connectivity, audio control and voice command, along with cruise control.

The MY19 Triton range comprises

GLX, GLX-R and VRX models in 2WD, single and double cab models. The bulk of the range is 4WD model variants with the lion’s share of those being GLX specification grade in cab chassis single, crew and double cab variants; GLX-R spec in two double cab wellside models and one VRX double cab wellside.

Pricing is generally a $3k premium over the outgoing model.

The entry level 2WD GLX single cab chassis kicks off the range at $38,790, with the double cabber manual at $47,120. 2WD VRX double cab auto is $54,990.

For 4WD models, the prices start at $48,190 for the GLX single cab auto, then head north to $49,190 for the GLX Club cab chassis auto and $50,490 for the 4WD GLX Double cab chassis auto.

For the more popular and commonly sought GLX-R double cabs, prices are between $53,990 and $55,990 depending on transmission type.

For the top end VRX grade double cab, Mitsubishi dealerships have access to a special launch price of $49,990.