It’s wartime as Triton enters the bakkie fray

Mitsubishi’s latest offering follows trend towards easier driving and more car-like bakkies

THE BOOMING bakkie market in South Africa is on the brink of an all-out eruption. With Ford and Isuzu’s recently renewed Ranger and KB now available, and Toyota’s Hilux and Nissan’s Navara just around the corner, the scene is set for a full-on pickup war. And now, Mitsubishi wants to get in on the action with an all-new Triton.

Due for local launch midway through next year, the next Triton follows a recent trend toward easier-driving and more car-like bakkies, and Mitsubishi says the Triton’s more spacious interior, better noise absorbing materials, and higher quality cabin finishes make for a quieter and more comfortable experience.

Add to that a full colour multimedia display with navigation and reversing camera, cruise control, leather seats, keyless entry and ignition, and dual-zone aircon, and the Triton seems more like a luxury SUV with a load box than the more utility-oriented current version. Even the cubbyhole door has been refined with new damper struts to make it open and close with softer action.

Drive comes from a new generation 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine with 133kW and 430Nm, which can be paired with either six-speed manual or fivespeed automatic transmissions.

Range topping 4x4 doublecab models also offer the same four-mode, Super Select II fourwheel drive system as used in the latest Pajero and Pajero Sport ranges. Safety is covered by up to seven airbags, Isofix mountings for baby seats, stability and traction control, and a new TSC (Trailer Sway Control) system.

The full Triton range and pricing will be be made known closer to next year’s launch.