MOTORING NEWS - The long-awaited Mitsubishi Triton has finally arrived in South Africa and it was well worth the wait because in its new guise it is much more attractive, better equipped and capable enough to muscle right into the upper domain of bakkie fiefdom.

 

Gone are the rather bland looks, workman-like interior and 2.5 engine of the old generation and up steps a spruced up, well decorated and well-furnished bakkie armed with a much more sophisticated 2.4 turbodiesel engine that produces a solid 133kW and 430Nm from as low as 2 500rpm.

The new Triton will initially only be available in double cab format but this will soon be followed by single and club cab models. At the media launch I drove the Triton from Lanseria to Heidelberg on smooth surfaces and gravel roads and the much improved ride quality, smartened up and more spacious living quarters, smooth transmission and spunky engine immediately impressed.

I also piloted the new bakkie along a challenging off-road trail where it was quick to flex its muscle and demonstrate its confident clinging and climbing abilities. The Triton offers the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or five-speed auto shift in 4x2 or 4x4 derivatives.

As befitting an upper-class bakkie the Triton has a clever four-wheel drive system which can be clicked into four modes, including low-range for off-roading, and it is also equipped with diff lock to further enhance its rock-rabbit abilities.