This story first appeared in the May issue of AutoTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE
The first striking feature about Mitsubishi’s new Triton is its stunning fresh design.
It’s a tougher look, particularly on the front grille with squarer features and angular headlights.
Auto Media Group got to drive the top-of-the-range twin-cab VRX 4WD model which is aggressively priced in the competitive ute market at $49,990.
This price will remain until at least the end of the Fieldays season in June.
The one-tonne ute was globally launched in Bangkok, Thailand, in November last year and arrived in New Zealand in late December.
All exterior panels, aside from the roof, have been remodelled.
It’s giving competition a good run for its money, taking on the dominant Ranger with confidence and even overtaking the Hilux.
Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand chief operating officer Daniel Cook says the response to the launch of the new Triton has been the most phenomenal one yet that he has seen in the 16 years he has worked with the company.
“To pip out Hilux for second place in our first month of sales is a very good sign.
We were very pleased with the result, especially for January which is not normally a strong month for new ute sales,” he says.
Cook says sales of the new Triton Ute have been skewed to the top spec VRX model which came as somewhat of a surprise.
“We underestimated the amount of interest in the top-spec VRX models but there are more boatloads of these coming, it’s a shift for us into the higher end of the market where we expect volume to grow,” he says.
The Triton is powered by a 2.4L turbo diesel engine with 135kW of power and 437Nm of torque, putting it well up to the task of towing.
It includes options of 6-speed automatic or manual transmission.
It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside features include comfortable leather-faced seats with heating options and power assisted height, recline and slide.
This is topped off with dual-zone climate control.
A seven-inch touchscreen media display features Apple CarPlay and Android compatibility with Bluetooth and handsfree telephone system with steering wheel controls and voice activation.
With a five-star ANCAP safety rating, seven airbags include driver, passenger, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags.
Front passenger airbag can be controlled with an on/off switch.
Forward collision mitigation, blind spot warning, lane change assist and front and rear sensors add extra layers of assurance, especially driving in busy urban environments.
Enhanced technology also adds confidence to its 3.5-tonne towing capacity with a strengthened chassis.
Trailer stability assist sensors detect trailer sway and applied brakes and engine force to stabilise the motion.
Brake lights illuminate during operation.
The easy select 4WD lets the driver move from 2WD to 4WD with confidence.
The new off-road mode features gravel, mud/snow, sand and rock settings.
Off-road mode controls engine power, transmission and braking to regulate the amount of wheel slip and maximise all-terrain performance.
Hill start assist and hill descent control also come with the VRX and are very handy features to have.
Auto Media found the ute very pleasing to drive, featuring all the benefits of a tough work vehicle but with the luxury comforts for urban trips.
The driving was smooth, quick off the mark with good acceleration and quiet in the cabin without too much engine noise.
