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Mitsubishi Triton first look | spy shots


A new Mitsubishi Triton is on the way to replace the current model which was launched in 2006 and is nearing the end of its life.

The new Triton is tipped to offer more of the same, and while Mitsubishi showed some extreme styling with the GR-HEV ute concept -- unveiled in March at Geneva motor show -- little of that design will reach the showroom. But it will retain the signature cue: the curved stagecoach line at the rear of the cabin.

Inside sources say the coming Triton will be offered in three bodies: Single and Double Cab and a roomier Club Cab; and both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive. Under the bonnets will be the carryover 130kW/350Nm 2.5-litre turbodiesel and 94kW/194Nm 2.4-litre petrol engines, with five-speed manual and five-speed sports automatic transmissions.

The current Triton kicks off at $20,990 for the base model 2WD petrol manual cab-chassis and tops out at $48,240 for the top-spec GLX-R 4WD dual-cab auto diesel. At that level it gets a bit of extra kit, including cruise control, skid plate and sports bar, but is still fairly basically outfitted compared to some of the competition -- and one of the few vehicles on the market to still offer cassette player.

It's likely Mitsubishi will look to improve the spec levels of the new Triton to give it an extra edge and keep its momentum going. The current model has gained 46 per cent on last year, with 17,662 sales and with help could get even closer to the Nissan Navara on 19,945 (down 25 per cent), although there's a larger gap to the segment leader Toyota Hilux on 26,821 and holding reasonably steady.

This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott