Bangkok Post in its 12th August 2005 edition had the following to say about Mitsubishi Triton:
MITSU'S CHEERFUL ANSWER
Despite some unresolved driving manners, the all-new Strada replacement is setting new trends in design and cabin comfort
RICHARD LEU
"When Isuzu launched the D-Max in Thailand three years ago, the country's best-selling pickup made all of its competitors look dated in appearance.
"Early last year, Chevrolet stunned the market with its own version called the Colorado. With an American-style macho-looking face, the reskinned D-Max helped the Chevrolet make a formidable comeback in the Thai pickup market.
Then late last year, Toyota unveiled the all-new Hilux Vigo sporting an aggressive exterior package and, more importantly, a car-like interior to put other pickups to shame.
Now, it is Mitsubishi's turn. Later this month, the all-new Strada will be officially introduced in Thailand and will carry a new badge by the name of Triton.
Once again, the Triton is making the entire competition bland, thanks to a distinctive design direction aimed at steering the Mitsubishi brand into a new generation.
Many of you may have already seen pictures of the Triton. But it looks truly gorgeous in metal, particularly in 4x4 double-cab form.
In fact, the design of the Triton was carried when Oliver Boulay was still in charge of Mitsubishi's design division. Of evidence is the fat nose that has managed to grace the front grilles of the Lancer compact sedan and Outlander compact SUV.
Complementing the Triton's accentuated nose are teardrop head lamps and large fog lights deeply embedded in the bumper. Savvy-looking details continue with curvy C-pillars, rounded triangular rear lights, short front overhang and chunky alloys.
Briefly put, the Triton looks quite amazing in the flesh and manages to strike an effective difference from its opposition.
The sensation carries on inside and has clearly shown that Mitsubishi isn't about to let the Hilux Vigo have the floor on its own.
But unlike in the Toyota where the ambience is on the classy side, it's sporty and youthful in the Mitsubishi, especially in GLS Limited form.
The Triton's interior comes with a shapely dashboard, doses of alloy-like panels, a great-looking three-spoke steering wheel, racey panel dials, black leather with blue-coloured stitchings and digital readouts for the compass, altimeter, trip computer and other on-board information.
While the cabin looks and feels modern, it is also functional and comfortable. It's not only the front seats that are well-shaped _ the rear bench is just as comfortable to sit in.
In the Triton's rear, you don't sit that uprightly and it is quite car-like. It's a step forward in pickups. Legroom is equally commendable, thanks to increases in dimensions. Value-added features include a centre armrest with cupholders in it and rear windscreen that can open electrically.
It appears the Triton has the best interior at the moment and really makes those of the Ford Ranger, Mazda Fighter and Nissan Frontier awful places to be in. The only rival that comes closest to the Triton in this aspect is the Hilux Vigo.
Powering this top-of-the-line Triton is a 3. 2-litre turbo-diesel sourced from the Pajero mid-sized SUV. The 3, 200cc falls perfectly under the 3, 250cc limit imposed on excise taxation, thanks to successful lobbying by Mitsubishi. Anything under that is 3%; over it 50%.
Mitsubishi has become the fourth brand after Toyota, Isuzu and Chevrolet to offer a complete line of diesel engines with common-rail fuel injection technology.
The driving trials were held in Bo Phloi district in Kanchanaburi last week and included an off-road course and on-road track. That said, we weren't able to test fuel economy or day-to-day driving manners.
But a quick drive in the Triton reveals a mix bag of merits and flaws. The 165hp performance _ highest in the class so far _ is definitely a strong point, thanks to the 351Nm of torque that yields plenty of low-end shove and a reasonably smooth-shifting four-speed automatic transmission.
But the engine is quite noisy, while there isn't enough suppression of the diesel clatter. That's not too commendable when you consider this engine to be newest in the market. It appears the Hilux Vigo's engine is still the most refined oil-burner in the pickup segment.
Mitsubishi has carried out extensive changes in the chassis department including a new front double wishbone suspension, rear leaf springs located on top of the axle and a rack-and-pinion steering.
The result is fine body control and relatively neat handling both on- and off-road. The ride is nimble and rear passengers shouldn't complain of a bouncy ride.
But it's the steering that spoils overall driving manners. Despite the new rack, it's still not direct and responsive enough. This even applies during off-roading, even though the light assistance makes driving easy to a certain degree.
So while the Triton has the ride comfort and performance (and brakes) to boast about, the steering and engine refinement clearly are the weak points when it comes to the driving experience.
Pricing has not been disclosed. But Mitsubishi wants to make this range-topping double-cab an image-leader, meaning that it will have the most expensive price in the market.
But that won't necessarily apply to lower-spec models that are most likely to be some 10, 000 baht cheaper than similarly specified Hilux Vigos.
The GLS Limited coming with dual airbags, driver's electrically adjustable seats and the other value-added features mentioned earlier that won't be found in most rivals should cost around 880, 000 baht _ just a shade over the top-spec Hilux Vigo.
The Triton scores heavily on exterior design and interior comfort and will pose a big challenge for Ford, Mazda and Nissan for their all-new replacements next year.
We still have to determine the Triton's fuel consumption and road manners in real-life driving conditions in a more intensive drive later this year to see whether it can show its mettle over the D-Max and Colorado.
But from our initial impressions, the Triton is an impressive replacement for the Strada that shines over nearly all of its competitors. Is our favourite pickup, the Hilux Vigo, under threat? Not quite _ yet.
TRITON IN NUMBERS
- The Triton makes its world introduction in Bangkok on August 25 when prices will be announced. It will be exported to global markets with the exception of North America.
- With the exception of the top-line version, prices are set to be maintained with most core-selling models to be some fractionally cheaper than those of the Toyota Hilux Vigo meaning a range between 440, 000-830, 000 baht.
- Topping the range is an all-new 3. 2-litre inline-four DOHC 16-valve turbo-diesel unit complete with intercooling and common-rail fuel injection. Outputs are rated at 165hp (PS) and 351Nm. It is only available in the double-cab 4x4.
- There's a smaller 2. 5-litre version with the Ricke technologies but producing a lesser 140hp and 321Nm. It goes under the bonnets of the double- and extra-cab 4x4s.
- Another 2. 5-litre unit is available but without an intercooler generating 116hp and 247Nm. It's available in the rear-wheel-drive double- and extra-cab.
- Forming as the base version is the single-cam 2. 5-litre developing 90hp and 198Nm for the rear-wheel-drive extra-and standard-cab.
- Thanks to a new rack-and-pinion steering, turning radii are best in-class including 5. 7m for two-wheel-drive and 5. 9m for four-wheel-drive. - The wheelbase lengths in all Tritons measure an identical 3, 000mm. This is a 40mm increase for double-cab and 50mm increase for extra- and standard-cab.
- The Triton is the fourth-generation model of Mitsubishi's one-tonne pickup. Some 640, 000 units of the first version were sold worldwide from 1978-1989, 1. 11 million of the second from 1986-2000 and 1. 02 million of the third from 1995 to present.
- Last year, Europe was Mitsubishi's largest market taking 28% of the 139, 000 units sold, followed by Thailand 21%. Mitsubishi expects both markets to have equal share (27%) of the 157, 000 units sales forecast for 2007.
- Mitsubishi predicts total demand for one-tonne pickups for all brands in Thailand to rise from 400, 000 this year to 700, 000 in 2010 and from 106, 000 to 125, 000 in Europe.