Mitsubishi continues to take sizeable steps towards launching its hotly anticipated Triton Ralliart, with the Japanese giant’s hardcore ute taking shape in new preview images that detail its new-model rollout.
CarsGuide has lightened the image above, bringing out more detail from the shadow-filled teaser image, including the chunky all-terrain tyres, the sizeable side steps, and the stylised indents that line the roof.
The image was released as part of Mitsubishi Motors Australia’s 2024 dealer conference, and was labelled its pathway to 2030.
Interestingly, the presentation focused on “progressive electrification through a blend of powertrains including hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric”.
It seems Mitsubishi will stick with the expectation that it will walk away from diesel for all-new product launches, and instead capitalise on its plug-in hybrid expertise to deliver petrol powertrains that don’t compromise on towing or capability.
At the Tokyo Mobility Show late last year, Mitsubishi told CarsGuide that the cost and complexity of delivering a plug-in hybrid diesel engine, largely for a market as small as Australia, has seen them work on developing a plug-in hybrid petrol solution for the Triton.
“We totally understand that we have much demands from our core for PHEV with a diesel engine, however cost-wise that’s impossible,” a spokesperson said.
Mitsubishi Triton AXCR race car.
“Also, when we explore the markets, petrol is much more easy to introduce to many markets. Diesel is unfortunately now harder to get into markets, this is why … management reason, business reason … petrol makes sense.”
We know that Mitsubishi in Australia has its hand up for a hardcore Triton sooner rather than later. Mitsubishi Australia CEO, Shaun Westcott told CarsGuide that “we are asking for a Ralliart”, and said the brand doesn’t enter racing series – as it has with the Triton –as a mere “show-boating experiment”.
“The opportunity does exist…to enhance the product. And an example of that is what I saw at the Tokyo Mobility Show, standing next to a beautiful Triton Ralliart,” he said.
“And what Mitsubishi has demonstrated successfully in the past is that we don’t rally just as a show-boating experiment or as a branding experiment … we actually take the learnings from those rally experiences and we build them into our cars. Whether that be Yaw Control or Super Control, it doesn’t matter what it is, we actually build that technology into our cars.
“So the fact that we are there, and that we are in Ralliart and that we are racing the vehicle I think does open up opportunity for us to look at performance enhancement in the future potentially around the vehicle.”