Bigger splash!Mitsubishi Triton

[Admin]

Bigger splash!
Prettier and larger, the Mitsubishi Triton Plus extended cab pick-up is more desirable, but just how so?

Source: Bangkok post.
Published: 6/2/2009
What's new?
Mitsubishi has given the extended cab version of the Triton Plus high-riding pick-up a facelift and a bigger truck bed.

The vertical grille slat of old has given way to two large horizontal chrome slabs mimicking the one on the Pajero SUV. The triple diamond logo sits on black triangular plastic rather than body-coloured one.


The front turn signal lights now have clear plastic housing instead of amber. The bumper is also new with the upper edge no longer flushed with the radiator grille and headlights but sculptured forward and the corners gaining small ledges.

The bottom grille has honeycomb pattern with bigger fog light housing a la Pajero Sport. The truck bed is 462mm - 57mm taller - like on the single cab workhorse.

The 4WD version of the extended cab body - Mega Cab in Mitsubishi speak - also gets the same makeover and still comes only with five-speed manual, where as the RWD version is available with both manual and auto boxes.

What's cool?

The automatic GLS version we tested here is well-equipped as before with a factory-installed DVD player and seven-inch monitor, although the ability to show the DVD being played while on the move is quite a safety concern.

The handling, ride and agility is still above average for a high-riding extended cab pick-up.

The taller truck bed is a welcome revision which should help quell the criticism of previously having the second smallest capacity in the industry (smallest is that of the Tata Xenon).

Strangely, on the spec sheet, it did not gain a single kilogramme of weight with more metal on its back.

The rack and pinion steering of the Triton Plus has been deliberately engineered to have some on-centre slack for reduced nervousness when loaded which also make off-roading more relaxed at the wheel.

We were quite surprised that many non-Mitsubishi pick-up drivers on the road did notice the new front end and one of our testers even praised it as being the best looking truck on the market.

What's not?

Since Mitsubishi has not updated the 140hp 2.5-litre turbo-diesel unit, we cannot help but complain about its coarseness and clatter. The not-so responsive four-speed auto further does the beefy torque no justice.

The Triton Plus is far from under-powered, but there are many more drivable engine and transmission combos out there.

The vague on-centre steering is more of a dud to drivers who prioritise on on-road manners.

The bigger truck bed is not the biggest yet - the extended cab versions of Toyota Hilux Vigo, Nissan Navara and even the Isuzu D-max/Chevy Colorado twins have greater calculated volumes.

And the flat seats remain, uh, flat.

One off-roading limitation the Triton Plus has not yet addressed is the lack of limited-slip differential either as standard or option for the RWD version.

Buy or bye?

There are many urbanites who buy trucks on looks alone and the Mitsubishi's exterior styling is still simply the swankiest around.

It's a pity that no high-riding RWD pick-ups in Thailand have double airbags or side airbags for added protection, so the Triton Plus here is on par with the rest in this respect.

However, an extended cab pick-up is designed as a compromise to cater both for cargo-hauling ability and as a personal transport. You put your personal belongings and more fragile stuffs in the cab and whatever you sell in the truck.

A rear access cab or open cab greatly improves convenience of hauling smaller, less heavy goods (okay, it can easily swallow an 8kg top-loading washing machine or a 29-inch CRT TV) that needs protection from the elements and opportunity snatching thieves.

With price tags of available open cabs bearing no premium over conventional extended cabs, there is no excuse not to buy one of those - Ford, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota - instead of this Mitsubishi Triton Plus.


*Personal comment from me,Admin,from my experience of driving pick-ups in Thailand,the Mitsubishi Triton has the best handling, ride and agility is still above the average pick-ups sold here in Thailand.
I own one and enjoy it very much for this reason,the Mitsubishi has engineered this pick-up with close handling to a sedan car.


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