Mitsubishi Motors South Africa has confirmed that the new Triton bakkie will be launched locally in February 2017.
The local arm of the Japanese automaker is calling the latest version of its bakkie the “Triton SU” (those two letters stand for “Sport Utility”), billing it as one of the most car-like bakkies around.
Although it was beaten to market by the Fiat Fullback (which pilfers its underpinnings), the fifth-generation Triton boasts a new 2,4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel mill, while the Fullback has to make do with the ageing 2,4-litre petrol and 2,5-litre diesel units.
Mitsubishi’s fresh powerplant makes use of an aluminium cylinder block and can be paired with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, with the option of two- or four-wheel drive. Peak outputs come in at 133 kW (at 3 500 r/min) and 430 N.m (at 2 500 r/min), with more than 350 N.m available from 1 500 r/min.
The brand furthermore says that the suspension system has been “comprehensively revised”, which it claims contributes to a “stable and soothing ride that one would previously associate with a passenger car or SUV”.
We’ll have to wait until closer to the local launch to find out about the full range, trim levels and pricing.
