Previewed at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) was the refreshed Mitsubishi Triton that will go on sale in Malaysia in 2019. Because the interior was closed off to the public throughout the motor show, we popped by Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s (MMM) public display of the new Triton at My Town Shopping Centre, Cheras for a closer look of our local spec pick-up truck.
On display is the top of the range VGT Adventure variant with all the bells and whistles checked. Up front, the Triton wears Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield family face as seen on the Outlander, Eclipse Cross and Xpander. The slim headlamps were deliberately placed up high – 700 mm above the ground – to it being submerged and malfunction while crossing difficult conditions.
While final specifications have not been released, this Triton VGT Adventure can be identified to come equipped with bi-LED projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, halogen fog lamps, chrome finish on the wing mirror caps and door handles, teardrop styled LED taillamps as well as 18-inch dual-tone alloys.
The mid-life cycle update did not see Mitsubishi Motors made many drastic changes to the cabin, but the company has done its best to introduce a more comfortable space for the passengers. For starters, there is a more generous use of soft-touch materials surrounding the door cards, centre console, dual USB charging port at the rear as well as a rear air circulation system that draws in cool air from the front cabin and channelled to the rear passengers via roof-mounted vents. Rear passengers can also control the intensity of the blowers via a control unit located at the roof.
Other familiar items include analogue instrument cluster dials with LCD display, multifunctional steering wheel with paddle shifters, keyless entry and start, touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery and powered driver’s seat.
The 2.4-litre MIVEC turbodiesel engine has been carried over from before, pushing out 181 hp and 430 Nm of torque. The transmission has been updated from a five-speed to a six-speed unit that is said to offer smoother shifts and better fuel economy. We managed to sit down with CEO of MMM, and Chief Product Specialist, Mr. Yoshiki Masuda to learn that while other competitors have moved on to transmissions with more forward ratios, the six-speed automatic is the perfect pair for the 2.4-litre MIVEC engine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6mMPNNBNZo
Along with a new transmission, the updated Triton also sports a new Super Select 4WD II system taken from the new Pajero Sport that now comes with a new Off-road Mode that calibrates the powertrain and electronic stability control according to four driving modes: Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand and Rock.
Mitsubishi has also introduced larger rear dampers for better damping and high-speed stability as well as larger front brake rotors and callipers for better stopping performance in the updated Triton.
However, the newly introduced safety features is the highlight of the new pick-up truck which adds Advanced Driver Assistance Systems such as Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Blind Spot Warning, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS), Hill Descent Control and Multi-Around Monitor surround view camera on top of the usual six-airbags and familiar three-letter safety acronyms.
MMM has confirmed that there will be five variants of the updated Mitsubishi Triton available with an estimated price tag between RM100k to RM140k for the range-topping VGT Adventure variant you see here. Available colours include Sterling Silver, Black Mica, White Diamond and Graphite Grey Metallic. No word on the exact launch date yet but the local distributor targets to have the car available for purchase in 2019.
For those of you who want to touch and feel the new pick-up truck for yourself, the car will be on display at the following Special Preview roadshow happening throughout Malaysia from today until 20 January 2019.
| Region | Location | Date | Time |
| Peninsula Malaysia | My Town Cheras, KL | 7 – 9 December | 10 am – 10 pm |
| IOI Mall, Puchong | 17 – 23 December | ||
| Aman Central Mall | 10 – 13 January | ||
| IOI City Mall | 23 – 27 January | ||
| East Malaysia | Karamunsing Mall | 11 – 13 January | |
| Imperial Permaisuri Mall | 11 – 13 January | ||
| The Spring Shopping Mall | 18 – 20 January |
IMAGE GALLERY
Mitsubishi Triton VGT Adventure Previewed
