2024 Mitsubishi Triton in Malaysia – new 2.4L 4N16 engine, up to 204 PS/470 Nm, RM102k to RM166k

Today, the all-new Mitsubishi Triton has finally made its official launch in Malaysia, following its world debut in July 2023.

A total of five variants of the latest Triton have been introduction to the market by Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), and the range consists of the Triton Single Cab (RM101,980), Triton MT (RM114,980), Triton AT GL (RM116,980), Triton AT Premium (RM145,980) and Triton Athlete (RM165,980); all prices here are on-the-road without insurance, valid until December 31, 2024.

Compared to the previous-generation model, the all-new Triton sees the Athlete and Premium variants see a price hike of RM10k, the GL auto goes RM3k higher and the GL manual goes RM5k more expensive. Meanwhile, the manual-transmission Premium and Triton Quest has been dropped for this generation.

With the arrival of the new generation comes growth, and the Triton has grown in the key exterior dimensions; the third-generation pick-up truck now measures 5,360 mm long (55 mm longer than its predecessor), 1,930 mm wide (+115 mm) and 1,815 mm tall (+35 mm), while wheelbase is 3,130 mm (+130 mm).

This growth steps up the Triton from being among the smallest in the pick-up truck segment, to one of the largest; for reference, the current Toyota Hilux measures 5,325 mm long, 1,855 mm wide, 1,815 mm tall with a wheelbase of 3,085 mm.

Mitsubishi Triton Single Cab (row above); Mitsubishi Triton specifications (row below, click to enlarge)

The Triton Athlete is available in a variant-specific Yamabuki Orange colour option, with the front Dynamic Shield elements finished in metallic black (this is full chrome on the Premium, body colour on the GL). The range-topper also adds on black over fenders, door handles and roof rails, plus a tailgate spoiler. The GL and Single Cab variants also wear a different front fascia from their stablemates.

The workhorse role-focused variant is now assumed by the high-rider Triton Single Cab that is the entry point to the range, succeeding the Triton Quest that was the of low-rider, double-cab layout. This is touted to have the largest cargo bed in its segment, with a bay that measures 2,340 mm long and 1,580 mm wide.

Forming the basis of the all-new Triton is the Megaframe chassis that brings a newly developed ladder frame that sports a 65% greater cross-sectional area compared to its fifth-generation predecessor (second-generation Triton), where increased use of high-tensile strength steel, yielding gains in bending rigidity by 40%, and torsional rigidity by 60%.

Suspension layout is of the pick-up truck staple, that employs double wishbones in front and leaf springs at the rear. The front double wishbones have had the upper arm mountings raised in order to increase suspension stroke by 20 mm to benefit roadholding and ride comfort. Meanwhile, the rear leaf springs get thicker dampers to benefit ride quality. For steering, the latest Triton uses a rack-and-pinion setup, where the Athlete gets electric power assistance; all other Triton variants use hydraulic power steering.

Powertrain options in the third-generation Triton range in Malaysia begin with the new Hyperpower 4N16 turbodiesel engine that produces 184 PS and 430 Nm of torque in the Triton Single Cab, succeeding the Triton Quest with one more gear ratio to offer a six-speed manual, and 4WD instead of RWD.

This also means the Single Cab outputs 74 PS/230 Nm more than the previous 2.5L non-VGT turbodiesel in the previous Quest. This engine with the aforementioned 184 PS/430 Nm state of tune is also installed in the rest of the Triton range.

The top Triton Athlete variant that outputs 204 PS and 470 Nm, or 20 PS and 40 Nm more than the previous range-topper courtesy of a twin sequential turbocharger arrangement. The Triton Athlete engine is rated Euro 5 while all other variants are rated for Euro 4, and all engine variants now get a diesel particulate filter, which is a Triton-first in Malaysia.

Automatic transmission-equipped versions of the new Triton receive a six-speed automatic gearbox with Sports mode, while the three-pedal variants get a six-speed manual unit that is designed to reduce the transmission of vibrations directly from the engine, for improved comfort.

Driveline controls for Triton Single Cab (left); Triton Athlete (right)

The uprated kit for the base Triton Single Cab now means that the range gets 4WD across the board, beginning with Easy Select 4WD that offers the customary 2H, 4H (with locked centre differential) and 4L selection, while the top Triton Athlete variant gains the Super Select 4WD-II driveline.

The Super Select 4WD-II setup in the Triton Athlete offers the choice of four driveline options – 2H (rear-wheel-drive), 4H (full-time 4WD), 4HLc (4WD with locked centre differential) and 4LLc (4WD in low-range, with locked centre differential). These work together with seven drive modes, including on-road modes, up from the four off-road modes in the previous Triton.

In addition to Normal mode, 2H also offers Eco mode, 4H has Gravel and Snow modes, 4HLc has Mud and Sand modes, and 4LLc has the Rock mode to offer different capabilities for a variety of terrain conditions. The Triton Athlete also gets Active Yaw Control (AYC) that applies light braking to the inside front wheel during a turn to improve cornering performance.

Inside, the third-generation Triton gets a thorough refresh of its cabin through the adoption of the ‘Horizontal Axis’ design concept featuring bold, geometric shapes for an emphasis on robustness. The re-orientation now sees the infotainment – now an original Mitsubishi unit instead of an add-on – become a screen located above the A/C vents and perched atop the dashboard, compared the its predecessor which located the screen between each central A/C vent.

Compared to its predecessor, the Triton Athlete substitutes the 360-degree camera suite for a sold reverse camera, and the new model also does without transmission shift paddles.

A mechanical handbrake is retained in the new Triton, while the steering wheel is a marked departure from that of the previous model, now being of a sportier three-spoke design with a smaller airbag housing, and the steering wheel-mounted controls have been more tightly integrated into the left- and right-side spokes, from the older designs more spread-out configuration.

Infotainment in the Triton Athlete is by a seven-inch touchscreen unit supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with voice command, along with USB and Bluetooth connectivity and MP3 playback support.

2024 Mitsubishi Triton Athlete (row above); Triton Single Cab (row below)

A redesign of interior contact points with the Mitsubishi Touch approach focuses on grip comfort and sturdiness – both welcome traits in a pick-up truck, while soft padding in key areas augment occupant protection.

Safety equipment and driver assistance systems get uprated in the new, third-generation Triton, where the available equipment includes forward collision mitigation (FCM), lane departure warning (LDW), adaptive cruise control (ACC), blind spot warning with lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. Here, active safety equipment also includes stability and traction control, hill descent control, and hill start assist.

For passive safety kit, the Athlete and Premium variants get seven airbags (dual front, side, curtain and driver’s knee), while the automatic and manual GL variants get three airbags (driver and front passenger, and driver’s knee).

To recap, the all-new Mitsubishi Triton is priced from RM101,980 for the Single Cab, up to RM165,980 for the top Triton Athlete. Warranty for the Triton Athlete is a five-year, unlimited mileage coverage applicable for orders made by December 31, 2024, while all other variants get a five-year, 200,000 km warranty.