I drove a pick-up truck and, surprisingly, I liked it.
Being an Asian woman, any kind of vehicle bigger than what is classified as a large SUV would momentarily intimidate me. It doesn’t matter that it would allow me to see most of the road. There would simply be too much vehicle and not enough me to go around. It was no different when we were told that the car that we would be putting to the test at the Mitsubishi Motors Okazaki Plant was the all-new Mitsubishi Triton (check out the Philippine specs here).
God forbid that I would admit how nervous I was. Never mind that we were in the beautiful, scenic outskirts of Nagoya in Japan. Not only were we driving trucks that I needed both hands to climb into, it was also a Japan-spec model (read: right-hand drive) and we were taking it through specific road conditions that were designed to push the limits of this vehicle.
But, you have to hand it to Mitsubishi. The test drive program was as extensive and detail-oriented as you would expect from Japanese planning and unlike any that we have experienced here in the Philippines. To challenge the capabilities of the all-new Mitsubishi Triton, there were three parts that were laid out during the half-day affair.
The first route was ground zero; the starter level. In a convoy of three Tritons, we were taken through a dirt-road path that was designed to be a combination of flat ground and slightly uneven terrain. Coincidentally — or not — the path accurately resembled the feel of driving through Philippine streets. We went over unexpected roadblocks, both shallow and deep potholes, unevenness that was not supposed to be there, sudden turns, and general unsatisfactory road condition.
The second level put us in the passenger seat as Mitsubishi engineers drove each of us through an off-road trail, created to demonstrate the ability of the Triton to take on some of the most challenging terrain in Asia. This is in a bid to show how the Triton can be the next big thing for the growing 4x4 market here in the Philippines, not only in terms of what you do to set it up as a rig, but largely in terms of its superior performance and off-road suspension.
Lastly, we were treated to on-track driving to showcase the Triton’s performance through a banked inclined turn. This portion of the program gave us a chance to test the maneuvering capability of the truck and how it responds to speed, cornering, and controlled handling. An additional demonstration was a 45-degree inclined ramp that tested how the Triton can maintain stability while in a hanging position.
Through each of the trails, the all-new Triton proved how worthy it is to be the next big thing in pick-up trucks. According to Mitsubishi, the Triton is engineered for the real-world. It doesn’t go for best-in-spec sheet numbers, but for how the numbers make for a well-rounded package.
For example, it has a longer wheelbase than its predecessor that slightly favors the front-end. It features a redesigned suspension upgrade using lightweight leaf springs and a longer suspension rebound. These dramatically improved the level of riding comfort, especially when tested through bumpy conditions, which is the common scenario for the Philippines — on or off road.
In terms of powertrain, the Triton packs an all-new two-stage 2.4-liter clean diesel engine. The 4N16 produces up to 204 horsepower and 470 Nm of torque in its top trim. While Mitsubishi hasn’t revealed the specific curb weights, despite the modest engine displacement, it can still carry up to 1,115 kilograms in payload (985 kilograms at the very least)—beating the Ranger Raptor and closely matching the Hilux GR Sport. This is mated to a 6-speed automatic.
The new-generation Triton is also packed with driving tech that allows you to customize the driving modes, according to your needs. Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II has four modes (2H rear-wheel, 4H full-time 4WD, 4HLc locked center differential, and 4LLc locked center differential on lower gears) and seven — yes, seven — selectable drive modes including Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock.
These customizable features allow the Triton to adjust smoothly to the driving conditions that the truck is entering into. This was demonstrated thoroughly when we were taken through the off-road trail, where the Triton was required to climb through man-made sand dunes and gravel hills that mimicked actual desert conditions.
The key feature that stood out, however, was the presence of the Active Yaw Control, which is a type of brake control that improved the response of the truck when cornering and approaching sudden turns. The Mitsubishi test drive trail was entirely unfamiliar to us and there was little time to anticipate the next turn or roadblock. Add to that, the longer, heavier structures of trucks usually mean that there is a wider turning radius that can become uncontrollable at unexpected corners.
With Active Yaw Control, the truck instantly adjusted to these conditions, where it even felt like it was slightly pulling back and applying extra brake force to maintain stability and grip. Coupled with steady handling and maneuverability, it felt incredibly controlled, regardless of the environment. The most impressive was how stable and smooth the truck was, even on a banked turning track at speed and when stopped at a 45-degree hang.
The all-new Mitsubishi Triton is one impressive pick-up truck that the Philippines should look forward to. From a first drive perspective, it goes beyond the usual truck performance, incorporating the kind of driver and rider comfort and styling that is developed for SUVs and passenger cars. From the onset, expect something different this time around from Mitsubishi, as the Triton brings together form and function in one upgraded package.
Words by Gen Tiu
I wouldn't trust a woman who reviews a pick-up truck. Better review crossover, MPVs & sedans.
ReplyDeleteVery sexist comment. Women can drive anything they want. This could earn you a ban. Careful.
DeleteBeing able to drive and give a professional published review are 2 different things.
DeleteIf anything, she's the sole Filipina that's a juror of the Women's World Car of the Year:
Deletehttps://www.carguide.ph/2023/02/carguideph-joins-womens-world-car-of.html
Kimiraikz, dude just stop it.
DeleteAn 18 year old girl pinay Bianca bustamante is already on F1 mclaren academy. As far as i knew wala pa pinoy na lalaki naka F1
DeleteWWCOTY already published that Ford Ranger is the 2023 4x4 pickup of the year. Don't know what the last paragraph of this article means as other women already gave their thumbs up to the Ford Ranger.
DeleteWhat is the fuel consumption of triton new model?
ReplyDeleteThe drive was too short to get an indicator as to fuel consumption. Better wait for local driving conditions to get a better picture.
DeleteWell that's a, uh, unique front end design.
ReplyDeleteThat said the interior looks pretty good. Will all that tech be retained on the PH-specific models though?
Unique? It basically ripped off the old Ranger's front grille design
DeleteMore or less. At least for the top-end Triton Athlete trim.
DeleteIn case you didn't know, "unique" is a kind way of saying hideous.
DeleteI don't think it is fair to compare the payload capacity of the Athlete to the GR Sport and the Raptor. The Athlete is more of a competitor to the Conquest and Wildtrak, since the GR Sport and Raptor are much more play-focused pickups priotirizing comfort, handling, and off-road performance.
ReplyDeleteComparing it to the GR Sport is fair game, I think. It's not too much of a play truck despite the widened tracks and all. Remember, the Conquest gets the same updates in other markets.
DeleteThe Raptor, maybe. But at least you know that the Triton's payload falls somewhere between those two.
A bit off topic, but Toyota actually silently upgraded the Hilux Conquest 4x4 to match the international model, getting rear disc brakes, the widened track, and the outboard-mounted shock absorbers.
DeleteFirst impressions sound impressive. I want to see a battle of the pick-up trucks: Mitsubishi Triton vs. Toyota Hilux vs. Ford Ranger vs. Isuzu D-Max vs. Mazda BT-50
ReplyDeleteI wonder how the low end 4x4 with black bumper and steel tires would look like in the metal....might be a great project car
ReplyDeleteI love to drive pick up truck, i have one before,now i desire for Mitsubishi Triton pick up truck in the future
ReplyDelete