All-new Triton ute will pinch much of its cabin design and technology from the Outlander
Mitsubishi has backed up yesterday’s quartet of teaser images for the next-generation 2024 Mitsubishi Triton with a pair of new videos previewing the upcoming pick-up’s improved off-road capabilities and all-new interior, which will clearly take inspiration from the Mitsubishi Outlander.
Revealed in video glimpses barely a few seconds long, the new Triton’s cabin is decidedly classier and more elegant than the outgoing model’s, featuring an Outlander-style infotainment touch-screen mounted high on a chunky new dashboard above a clutter-free centre console, plus an SUV-style steering wheel.
Underlining the ‘free-standing’ tablet-style central touch-screen display is a handy row of shortcut buttons, flanked on either side by a pair of physical knobs as opposed to haptic controls, with the whole ensemble supported by a pair of air-vents.
Below that is a separate climate-control display, the controls for which are arranged in a single row of stout and chunky buttons, which should do wonders for the ergonomics, especially over rough terrain.
The Triton’s familiar SuperSelect 4×4 system controls remain on the centre console – as per the current Mitsubishi Pajero Sport SUV – via a rotary dial that’s almost identical to the drive mode selector in the Outlander.
Other notable interior highlights include black and tan/orange leather upholstery, silver trim inserts, a physical gear lever and manual park brake – despite the fact an electric park brake is available in the Pajero Sport and key rivals like the GWM Ute, Ford Ranger and its mechanical twin, the Volkswagen Amarok.
We can’t see whether there’s a digital instrument cluster hiding behind the steering wheel, but odds are that high-grade variants will adopt a similar 12.3-inch unit to the Outlander, which may also donate its horizontal 9.0-inch infotainment screen.
If so, it will be bigger than the current Triton’s 7.0-inch unit, but smaller than the vertical 10.1- and 12.0-inch touch-screens available in the Ranger and Amarok.
Mitsubishi has been incredibly tight-lipped about the new Triton’s mechanical package, but we do know the next-gen ute rides on an all-new ladder-frame platform and should be able to carry up to 1000kg and – finally – tow up to 3500kg, as per the bulk of its competitors.
Mitsubishi’s SuperSelect 4×4 system has long been a major drawcard for the Japanese brand’s off-roaders, given both its effectiveness away from the blacktop and the fact it offers the ability to drive day-to-day with permanent 4×4 if they wish to.
Unlike other part-time 4×4 systems, SuperSelect offers 2H, 4H, 4HLC and 4LLC, which correlates to high-range two-wheel drive, high-range 4×4 with an open centre differential (AWD), high-range 4×4 with a locked centre diff and low-range 4×4 (with a locked centre diff).
A rear differential lock will also be included despite not being directly shown in the videos.
Executives from the Japanese car-maker have previously ruled out a V6 engine option, which means a four-cylinder turbo-diesel will likely be the only powertrain option until electrified versions are released further down the track.
The turbo-diesel will need to develop at least 150kW/500Nm in order to be competitive in its segment, so expect big increases over both the current Triton’s 133kW/430Nm 2.4-litre engine and the Nissan Navara’s 140kW/450Nm 2.3-litre turbo-diesel, given that Mitsubishi is also developing the next Navara as part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.
As we’ve reported, the new Triton is expected to skip hybrid power – including Mitsubishi’s trademark plug-in hybrid technology – and later become available with a full battery-electric powertrain, probably accompanied by solid-state battery tech with higher energy density.
The new Mitsubishi Triton will make its global debut on July 26 in Thailand ahead of the first Australian deliveries either late this year or early 2024.
Apart from the new-generation Ranger and Amarok, the replacement for Australia’s fourth most popular ute will soon face stiff competition from the redesigned HiLux and the all-new Kia Tasman ute, both of which are due to arrive in 2025.
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Keyword: Classy new Mitsubishi Triton interior teased ahead of reveal