KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) unveiled its latest 2015 version of the Triton, the fifth generation pick-up truck after 37 years of pick-up trucks produced by Mitsubishi Motors. Present at the launch were President and Chief Operating Officer Tetsuro Aikawa from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), Kozo Shiraji, Executive Vice President and Group CEO of Machinery Group from Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Japan, Tan Sri Marzuki bin Mohd Noor, Chairman of EON Berhad and Chief Executive Officer of MMM, Won-Chul Yang.
Four variants of the 4WD models are available: two with 5-speed automatic transmissions while the other two are with 5-speed manual transmissions. There is a fifth variant with a lower powered engine and rear-wheel drive only. The 4WD variants are equipped with the 2.5-litre common rail diesels carried over from the outgoing model. The 2.5-litre diesel features a variable geometry turbo-charger, and develops a respectable 178PS and 400Nm of torque. The automatic transmission has seen some improvement in design, enabling it to now take on the full 400Nm of torque from the engine (previous model could only take 350Nm). The low-end Triton Quest has a similar 2.5-litre diesel, but has a lower output of 110PS and 200Nm of torque.
Trim levels and features vary with each variant, but with a view of reaching out more to the ‘lifestyle’ segment, the top-of-the-range Triton VGT comes with Xenon HID headlamps and Daytime Running Lights (DRL), paddle-shifters and dual zone air-conditioning, 17-inch alloys and leather seats. Other new features throughout the variants include push-start buttons, automatic climate control, touch-screen audio with Bluetooth, iPod and USB compatibility, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. A thoughtful feature on all except the low-rider variant is tilt and telescopic steering adjustment.
The new Triton retains the same wheelbase as its predecessor, which implies that it still uses the same ladder frame as the previous model. As an aside it makes no sense to ‘fix what ain’t broken’, as the saying goes, and the fact that the engine and transmissions are carry-overs would be a confirming factor. The body itself is new and although the silhouette remains very similar to the outgoing model, it now has very attractive character lines. Overall length drops by 15mm and the overall width has marginally increased by 15mm. Ground clearance is rated at 205mm across all 4x4 variants. Interior dimensions are changed, with an increase of 20mm in legroom and 10mm more shoulder room.
Introducing the all-new Triton, Won-Chul Yang, Chief Executive Officer of MMM said, “The Triton is the best-selling model for Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia. Since launch in 2006, over 56,000 units have been sold nationwide. Today, we are excited with the official launch of the all-new Triton, the fifth generation of the Mitsubishi Motors pick-up line produced. Since 1978, over four million units have been sold worldwide.”
Yang said that the sales target set by MMM for the all-new Triton is 900 units a month, which will translate into a 20 per cent market share of the pick-up truck segment in Malaysia.
Also speaking at the launch, Tetsuro Aikawa, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MMC said, “The Triton is one of our most important products and contributed the most to our revitalisation efforts in 2014. Just as the previous Triton, the all-new Triton will continue to be our core product, contributing to improving our corporate value and sustainable growth in the future.”
The all-new Triton, imported as a Completely Built-Up (CBU) vehicle from Mitsubishi Motors’ global production hub in Thailand, is available in five variants for the Malaysian market.
The following prices (without insurance, GST inclusive for private registration) are quoted for the all-new Triton in Peninsular Malaysia:
The new Triton comes with two years of free maintenance and a factory warranty of three years or the first 100,000 km.
