- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Andrey Tishin
- Ru He Fr
Mitsubishi Triton pickup. 5th generation, restyled in 2018
The Mitsubishi Triton is a pickup truck produced since 1978by the Japanese Mitsubishi Motors company. The modern model is called the Triton since 2006. It is unveiled in 3 versions: a 2-door 2-seater called Single Cab, a 2-door 4-seater Clab Cab, and a 4-door 5-seater Double Cab. As of 2021, the fifth-generation pickup has been available on the Market of Israel restyled in 2018.
The pickup, restyled in 2018, does its best to continue the tradition of its predecessors. It is the winner of several ‘SUV of the Year’ and ‘Best Pickup’ awards in different countries. Mitsubishi considers the Triton a strategically important model and is proud that the restyled version has so quickly gained recognition among pickup truck owners and fans. The manufacturer is sure: the new car has become even more enduring, productive and reliable while looking more attractive and comfortable. The one-ton payload output has been retained.
Pickup trucks, assembled for driving on bad roads and surviving harsh conditions, nowhave stylish looks without any similarity to their simplistic predecessors. One such example is certainly the Mitsubishi Triton of the latest, fifth-generation restyled in 2018.
Exterior and interior
The Japanese brand has always paid attention to the exterior, and the model opens up a new design concept, the Dynamic Shield style. The new look with ‘boxy’ features looks striking and aggressive: powerful front bumper, ‘wells’ of double-deck lighting. In profile the pickup reminds the previous generation, but proportions are slightly different: the bodywork became 20 mm longer (5225 mm) and 10 mm higher (1,815 mm), the depth of the cargo platform increased by 15 mm (865 mm), and the hood line is raised by 40 mm. The road clearance of the 2016 Mitsubishi Triton, equal to 205 mm on standard wheels, now having a diameter of 18 inches, allows the owner to test the pickup’s ability to firmly conquer off-road. The suspension is the same: independent in the front on the double wishbones, behind the dependent on the springs. The brakes are ventilated discs on the front axle and drum brakes on the rear axle.
The new Triton implements RISE safety body technology. It provides effective absorption and dissipation of energy in case of a collision, and the use of heavy-duty steel in the bodywork design forms a capsule for passengers and creates a high-level resistance to deformation. The torsional stiffness of the restyled L200's frame is 7% higher. Through this, better driveability and stability of the car are achieved, as well as reduced noise in the interior of the car and increased comfort by reducing body vibration.
The interior has a new front panel and new meters. The interior is softer and more stylish. For comfort in the pickup, comparable to the comfort of driving a passenger car, several comfortable options were introduced: adjustable steering wheel in both directions, 2-zone digital climate control, USB-ports on the center console, and for rear passengers, two shelves for cell phones. A rearview camera and a rain sensor are very useful. There are now grippy ring handles on the B-pillars to help passengers get onto the second row of seats.
Engines and equipment options
The 2020/2021 Mitsubishi Triton is available in five versions. Rear-wheel drive Invite and Instyle, 4WD Desert, Dakar, and the top version, Dakar SE.
The client can select between a manual transmission or automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Both transmissions are 6-speed - before the restyling the automatic gearbox had five speeds. Either Triton is a simple rear-wheel drive and with a manual transmission, or it is equipped with the legendary, having thirty-year history, system Super Select which has lowered range and an inter-axle differential. But the engine is the only one, but what it is: an inter-cooled turbocharged diesel with a volume of 2,2 L. The variable geometry turbine made it possible to get 150 hp at 3,500 rpm from the operating volume. Maximum torque is also impressive at 408 Nm at 1750-2250 rpm. The emissions are reduced.
The digital climate control, cruise control controlled by buttons on the steering wheel, leather interior, and audio system control also from the steering wheel are now available in all the 2020/2021 Triton versions supplied to the Market of Israel. The top versions of Dakar and Dakar SE include such electronic aids as lane-keeping aid and a system with laser interference detection capable of stopping the car in emergency situations. Also, the Dakar SE is equipped with an engine start button, heated front seats, automatic high beam on/off switching to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, and 8 sensors in the front and rear to ensure that both forward starting and backing up maneuvers are safe (all the blind spots are under control now).
