It may seem like a small facelift at face value, but the new Mitsubishi Triton marks a new era for the bakkie range in South Africa. With the Mitsubishi brand now headed by Imperial Holdings, thus divorced from Daimler, this marks the first time in 16 years that Mitsubishi bakkies will no longer be assembled in South Africa.
Instead, the new Triton is fully imported from Thailand and this, according to the company, will allow more flexibility when it comes to specification and supply.
Mitsubishi also plans to introduce a single cab version of the Triton for the first time. This will happen in the second quarter of next year and Mitsubishi is hoping this more workhorse-oriented model will regain the success enjoyed by the Colt single cabs of yore.
Subtly restyled, you can (just barely) tell the new Triton apart by its new grille, headlights and bumper up front, fresh alloy wheel designs and restyled step bumper at the back.
For now, the range will consist of three double cab and two club cab models, each offering a choice between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive.
On the engine front, the choice is between two turbodiesels and one petrol. At entry level is a 2.4-litre petrol that pushes 94kW at 5250rpm and 194Nm at 4000rpm, while the diesel range comprises of a 2.5 that's good for 100kW at 4000rpm and 314Nm at 2000rpm and a 3.2 that produces 118kW at 3800rpm and 343Nm at 2000rpm.
The 2.4 petrol engine is only offered in double cab guise, while both body styles offer the 2.5 in 4x2 form and the 3.2 as a 4x4.
4x4 models offer the EasySelect 4WD system that allows the selection of 4H on-the-fly at speeds up to 100km/h and, of course, low range gear ratios are also in place as is a rear diff lock. The Tritons boast a ground clearance of 205mm, with approach and departure angles of 33.4 and 23.8 degrees respectively.
This bakkie also offers comprehensive instrumentation, with the restyled 'RV' metre on the dashboard hosting a compass, barometer, altimeter and outside temperature reading. You'll also find all the expected luxury kit in the cabin, including fully automatic climate control, a six-speaker MP3/CD sound system and electric windows and mirrors.
The Triton is also among the safest ladder-frame bakkies on the block, having attained a four-star EuroNCAP rating, and safety features include the usual two airbags and ABS brakes.
THE BILL:
CLUB CAB:
2.5 Di-DC 4x2 - R269 900
3.2 Di-DC 4x4 - R339 400
DOUBLE CAB:
2.4 MPi 4x2 - R285 100
2.5 Di-DC 4x2 - R314 300
3.2 Di-DC 4x4 - R380 300
Prices include a three-year/100 000km warranty and five-year/100 000km service plan. Service intervals are pegged at 15 000km for the 2.4 petrol and 10 000km for the diesel versions.