Following rumour, gossip, and a few shadowy teasers, Mitsubishi has finally whipped the covers off its fourth generation Triton ute.
Launched to motoring press in Bangkok, Thailand, the new Triton features a look that's perhaps as bold (and divisive...) as that of the current model. Its face now falls closer in line with the rest of the range; including the Pajero Sport, Outlander, and Eclipse. This is underlined best by the 'Dynamic Shield' chrome grill and 'tusks'; the latter bisecting the front bumper under each headlight.
Bulked up wheel arches add to the look, though if you peer beyond the changes you'll find that the Triton utilizes many of the hardpoints and lines of the outgoing model.
Click here to read the full road test of the current Mitsubishi Triton
Nonetheless, this is a significant update to Mitsubishi's pick-up. It's a nameplate that celebrates its 40th birthday this year, and numerous safety and tech changes mean that this new model also doubles as the smartest ever.
Off-roading four-wheel drive systems have been tinkered with. New Super-Select 4WD and Easy-Select 4WD options intend to simplify the off-road experience. The former is intended for heartier surfaces, while the latter allows drivers to still play with sub-settings on the fly without any additional complications.
These changes are complemented by hill-descent, and a suite of safety technology. This includes Forward Collision Mitigation, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and something called Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation (which, in layman's terms, is a low-speed AEB system for avoiding prangs in parking lots and the like following accidental or poorly timed dabs of throttle).
Engine details are still to be confirmed, but some are reporting that the 2.4-litre MIVEC turbodiesel engine in the current Triton will simply be carried over into the 2019 variant. What has been confirmed is that the five-speed automatic in the old model has been replaced by a six.
Perhaps slightly disappointingly, the comprehensive exterior changes don't necessarily change much of the cabin. Many of the fixtures, down the steering wheel, appear almost unchanged. But in the ute space, it still looks relatively plush.
There are plenty more details to come, including what New Zealand's spec and model line-up will look like (and what they'll be priced at).
Local availability is also still to be uncovered, but it's likely that New Zealand will be one of the first countries to get their hands on the new pick-up given that Asia are slated to get it ahead of Europe and the rest of the world.
Keep an eye out for more Driven 2019 Mitsubishi Triton coverage and information from the launch in Thailand in the coming days.
