Mitsubishi Triton: A Trail-Blazing Beast Set to Conquer World Markets

Will the new Mitsubishi Triton be a beast on the trails of many foreign lands? The all-new sixth generation of this truck premiers in Thailand on July 26.

This new Triton pickup truck is made to compete on foreign soil with the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux. This means the Mitsubishi model competes in the midsize truck class, which offers rugged, go-anywhere trucks. This might be part of why the brand chose to create the new concept version of the Triton under the name “Beast Mode” to express the toughness and powerful build expected of a pickup truck that takes on the harshest areas of the world.

What does the concept version show us?

Most concept models wear heavy camo to disguise the styling elements found underneath, but not this new Mitsubishi truck. This truck debuted in the XRT concept model in March, but we have new teasers that give away more details, which should offer a production model that’s much more interesting and useful.

The front of this new Triton features a set of split LED headlights and a boxy grille with tons of chrome. This represents the evolution of the Dynamic Shield styling language for this pickup truck. We also see toned-up fenders, protruding bumpers, and a cabin that comes straight from the Nissan Navara to act as inspiration for this new truck. Around back, we see a set of large LED taillights and a sculpted tailgate to make the Triton attractive from all angles.

Looking inside, this new Mitsubishi Triton has some qualities that it shares with the Outlander, specifically the new free-standing infotainment touchscreen. You’ll also find a rotary dial for the 4WD system, a Drive Mode selector, and a set of aircraft-style switches on the center console beneath the climate controls. These items give the interior a great look that drivers should enjoy while on the road or trails.

Specifications have been hard to come by

When automakers offer teasers and early information, they often leave out some of the details, including specifications. We expect this new Triton to share the same platform as the Nissan Navara. This means a ladder-frame build to give it the rugged off-road qualities required. This new model should be powered by a turbocharged diesel engine, but Mitsubishi has also shown a new fully electric pickup as part of the future model range for the brand. This new EV model might not be a Triton variant but an entirely new truck.

Where will the Triton be sold?

The Mitsubishi Triton enters its sixth generation and continues to be built and sold in the same locations as the previous models. This means the truck is made in Thailand and exported to the ASEAN region, Oceania, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. This is one of the trucks that doesn’t head to the North American market, mostly because of strict regulations and extreme competition in Canada and the United States. The midsize truck market is tremendously competitive in the United States, which would make it difficult for the new Triton to capture market share in North America.

Will this new truck offer a hybrid powertrain?

Although Mitsubishi has kept the specifications shrouded in secrecy thus far, we should find out much more about this new Triton when it’s presented on July 26. The new model will have Drive Mode and Hill Descent buttons on the dashboard but could also come as a PHEV model. This would be a big step forward for the brand and the class. In many markets, diesel-powered vehicles are being phased out, but we could see a diesel engine under the hood of the new Triton as well.

This new Triton is bigger

Another consistency in the midsize truck market that we see with the new Mitsubishi Triton is a bigger truck. Most trucks in this same class have grown in size and offer more off-road capabilities than ever before. It’s not surprising to find out that the new Triton could be larger than the previous version, but the addition of a rear spoiler mounted on the tailgate could be a big surprise.

If you’re interested in all of the details awaiting us for the new sixth-generation Mitsubishi Triton, you’ll need to wait until July 26, when this truck is revealed. Once that happens, we’ll have to see how it stacks up against the current versions of the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. The foreign midsize truck market gains Beast Mode in the form of the next Triton, which should be a powerful and tough truck.