Next-gen Triton to be the first major ute with a PHEV option

Monday, 25 July 2022

The next-gen Triton ute could be the first of the Big Three to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

A new report from Japan is claiming the upcoming Mitsubishi Triton refresh will offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain aped from the Outlander PHEV.

Spyder 7 says that the new ute will debut in 2023 with a similar set-up to the Outlander PHEV SUV. That means a 20kWh battery, an 85kW motor on the front with a 100kW motor on the rear, along with a 98kW 2.4-litre atmospheric petrol engine allowing a respectable output of 185kW and 450Nm.

The guts will reportedly come from the Outlander PHEV.

In the Outlander, all-electric range is a claimed 87km (according to the WLTP test cycle). It’s unclear if that will change for the ute, but we’d imagine loading up the tray or adding a trailer will cut this down some.

That’s not the end of the world, as PHEVs can drive as hybrids if needed to retain the full offering of torque, but it would likely segment the plug-in Triton as a lifestyle ute rather than a workhorse.

Could the Vision Ralliart Concept influence a range-topping Triton?

* Road test review: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV

* No diesel for Outlander SUV, but a plug is coming

* Mitsubishi reportedly playing with four-motor plug-in hybrid

Mention towing, one minor bugbear of the Outlander is that it is only rated at 700kg for towing capacity. Swapping that petrol engine for something with a bit more grunt might be a way to increase that figure, as well as retain the electric range with a load.

On the other hand, the last-gen Ford Ranger Raptor had less towing capacity than a Wildtrak, but Ford made up for it by turning it into a monster off-roader. Perhaps Mitsubishi is thinking of properly dusting off that Ralliart badge for a range-topping plug-in ute?

Mitsubishi has toyed with bringing back its performance arm for a few years, most recently with the Vision Ralliart Concept, a hot Outlander SUV.

When that debuted back in January 2022, Mitsubishi didn’t mention its powertrain, aside from the fact that it is electrified to some degree and has four-wheel drive. It did add that customer feedback on the Vision Ralliart Concept will be used in the future development of Mitsubishi vehicles, including the Triton.

Since then, the only mention of a go-faster Triton we’ve heard is in a video for Thailand-based Team Mitsubishi Ralliart owned by Tant Sports. In it, team director, Hiroshi Masuoka, said “Team Mitsubishi Ralliart will make preparations to meet the expectations of our fans, so please stay tuned.”

He went on to specifically mention the Triton, saying they can “refine the strengths of the Triton/L200 and SUVs.” The press release adds that “Mitsubishi Motors will leverage the feedback earned through this rally competition to further hone its strengths, especially in terms of body and chassis rigidity, vehicle control and off-road performance”.

In any case, there will almost certainly be non-electrified options when the new Triton debuts, with traditional petrol and diesel options filling out the range. It will be sharing its bones with the Nissan Navara too, so it will be interesting to see what could power the next Nissan ute.