Mitsubishi hands the Triton more muscle with a new bi-turbo variant
It’s often said that ‘more power ruins character’. I don’t buy that. If anything, power reveals character. I mean, power and character go hand in hand. Just look at the Ford Ranger Raptor, it wouldn’t have the following it has if it wasn’t backed up by the kilowatts to match its identity.
That’s why most bakkie makers are chasing bigger outputs. The truth is, there’s a market for such bakkies, and Mitsubishi’s answer is the new bi-turbo Triton, which has now been unveiled in South Africa. It’s not trying to go after the Raptor and the BYD Shark 6, and that’s perfectly fine. Instead, it gives it the bragging rights against the likes of the Toyota Hilux Legend, and that’s exactly where it belongs.
The Triton has always been a genuinely impressive bakkie with decent road manners on and off the road, thanks to its one of the best in the segment Super Select II four-wheel-drive system. However, its only real weakness was that it always felt a little underpowered, and this new bi-turbo aims to address that.
As its designation suggests, the 2.4-litre diesel engine adds a second turbocharger – a smaller one for quick low-end response and a larger one to maintain boost at higher engine speeds. Power is now rated at 150kW and 470Nm, up from the standard bakkie’s 135kW and 430Nm, still accessed via a 6-speed automatic transmission. This variant is only available with the brand’s Super Select II 4WD system with a diff-lock, while retaining a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes.
Aesthetically, Mitsubishi has given the Triton bi-turbo a bolder look, thanks to the addition of roof rails, a styling bar, heated door mirrors, and an assisted rear tailgate to make access to the load bin easier.
The interior, on the other hand, sees a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 6-speaker audio system.
As for safety, the Triton bi-turbo upgrades to include Mitsubishi Motors’ Safety Sensing Suite, which comprises Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam, Forward Collision Mitigation system, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, and front and rear parking sensors.
Priced at R959,990, the Triton bi-turbo fixes the one criticism that has always followed it for many years. And with the added power, it now feels like a complete product and not a bakkie you’ll accuse of lacking power. And as I said at the beginning, power doesn’t ruin character, but rather reveals it.
As a side note, the GLS variants now gain a darker exterior appearance on the fog light bezels, door handles, side steps, rear gate handle and garnish. The same applies to the front bumper garnish, rear bumper, door mirrors, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
