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By
EWAN KENNEDY
5 March 2007
Mitsubishi's new Triton is proving to be a sales success – to
the relief of the Adelaide based company, because there were some
initial doubts about the radical styling. There was a feeling that
tradies and farmers, reputed to be a conservative lot, would find it a
bit on the soft side. But that hasn’t happened and the Triton is
appearing on Australian roads, paddocks, building sites and the like in
rapidly increasing numbers.
Triton has the strong lines based around a radiator grille with
a large centre that leads back to a sloping bonnet that’s more
trendy hatch than working ute in its lines. But the real talking
point is at the back of the rear doors. These curve radically
forward at their lower surfaces, getting right away from the
mundane square shape of the traditional ute. The fact that the ute
tray sits slightly out from the lines of the cabin not only
further the style, but also give it a bit more useful width.
So let's now concentrate on that word useful and get away from
the fashion-plate side of the Mitsubishi Triton.
The width of the tray between the wheel arches is a useful 1085
mm. The length in the single cab is 2220 mm, with the dual cab
still having a handy 1325 mm. Floor height is 405 mm, with an
overall height of 845 mm or 850 mm depending on model.
Under the skin the Mitsubishi Triton remains a tough off-road
vehicle, with strong body-on-frame construction, the option of
part-time 4WD with a dual-range range transfer case. There are
also a number of rear-wheel drive models in the extensive range.
Triton's turning circle is 11.4 metres in the rear-drive
variants, with the 4WD only gaining 0.4 metres to bring it up to
11.8. These numbers are good for a vehicle of this type and will
be appreciated both in tight parking situations as well as when
tackling off-road adventures.
All vehicles in the new Triton range have at least a one-tonne
carrying capacity, with several models managing in excess of 1100
kg. Contact your Mitsubishi dealer for full information on the
various models.
Triton is currently being sold with either a 3.2-litre,
four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine or a 3.5-litre V6 petrol. A
four-cylinder petrol unit is anticipated later. Obviously the
turbocharger on the diesel gives it strong torque over a wide
range of revs, but we are also impressed by the high good torque
offered by the petrol engine. Mitsubishi’s engineers have opted
to go for torque ahead of big power as that’s what utes need in
their working lives.
Most come with a five-speed manual gearbox, but the Triton GLX-R
is aimed at the sports ute market so comes with the option of a
four-speed automatic transmission, but only when the petrol engine
is specified.
An interesting feature in the Triton double-cab is a rear
windscreen that can be lowered to give a semi-open feel to the
cab. This works particularly well in conjunction with the optional
sunroof. During our road testing there were no signs that the open
rear windscreen was allowing any fumes or dust into the interior.
But keep an eye – and a nose – on it because some wind
conditions could cause potential hazards, in which case you simply
power the window back up again.
The rear seat of the Triton double-cab is spacious enough to
let it be used as a comfortable family car. But you might not like
to carry a big bunch of blokes back there for an extended trip.
Two in the back are OK and the front seats don’t have to be set
a long way forward to cope with them.
Headroom suffers slightly because of the stylish shape of the
cabin, and is further reduced if a sunroof is specified. Under
normal conditions the Triton is fine, but tall travellers with
hats may have hassles.
Ride comfort is good and noise levels on sealed and unsealed
roads are low. There's an overall feeling of refinement,
particularly at routine highway cruising speeds of 100 to 120
km/h. It’s not quite car-like, but doesn’t lag behind car all
that much.
All-in-all the latest Mitsubishi Triton is an impressive ute
with a fascinating combination of tough, hard-working ability and
styling that’s like nothing else on the road. It’s good to see
that buyers are going for it.
The complete Triton range with prices, excluding on-road costs,
is:
GLX 3.5-litre 4x2 Single Cab cab chassis - $22,990 (manual),
$25,490 (automatic)
GLX 3.5-litre 4x4 Single Cab cab chassis - $30,690 (manual)
GLX 3.5-litre 4x4 Double Cab cab chassis - $30,690 (manual),
$32,690 (automatic)
GLX 3.2-litre diesel 4x4 Single Cab cab chassis - $33,690 (manual)
GLX 3.5-litre 4x4 Double Cab utility - $36,690 (manual)
GLX 3.2-litre diesel 4x4 Double Cab utility - $36,690 (manual)
GLX-R 3.5-litre 4x4 Double Cab utility - $41,990 (manual), $43,990
(automatic)
GLX-R 3.2-litre diesel 4x4 Double Cab utility - $44,990 (manual)
GLS 3.5-litre diesel 4x4 Double Cab utility - $48,990 (automatic)
GLS 3.2-litre diesel 4x4 Double Cab utility - $49,990 (manual)
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