2010 Mitsubishi Triton first look

The Thai-built workhorse is being rushed into action after a sell-out of the previous model that was triggered by the Federal Government's investment incentives. "We have to pre-launch the model year 2010 Triton because we've effectively run out of model year 2009. June was the best-ever recorded monthly sales for Triton," says Rob McEniry, managing director of Mitsubishi Motors Australia.

The new Triton range has been trimmed slightly with greater emphasis on the best sellers, including a turbodiesel four-wheel drive which now gets a class leading 131 kiloWatts and 400 Newton-metres of torque - up by 11 and 17 per cent - as well as improved economy.

But the most obvious change is the bigger tray on the dual-cab Triton, which is both taller and longer with a 14 per cent improvement in both areas. "It makes a great esky," McEniry jokes. Towing ability is up from 2500 to 2700 kilograms on the dual-cab four-by-fours with long bed and three tonnes on all other four-wheel drives.

Safety is also boosted with twin front airbags in all models, as well as anti-skid brakes. Stability and traction control is available on all high-performance diesels, with side passenger and curtain airbags also available and standard on the GLX-R.

On the comfort and style front, changes include new front bumpers, grille and turning lamps, with new seat pads and fabrics, available sports seats and new instrument cluster, are all claimed as worthwhile changes.

Mitsubishi says the '10 range has been streamlined with eight two-wheel drive models from the petrol-powered GL cab-chassis to the new GL-R dual-cab, while the new 2.5-litre HP turbodiesel comes in four-wheel drives - manual or auto - from the GLX single-cab to the GLX-R dual cab.

But the single biggest question for 2010 is yet to be answered: the price. Mitsubishi says it will not have final figures until the first of the new Tritons is closer to showrooms, but is promising good value. "The new Triton answers all the questions our owners have asked of us," says McEniry.