Tough, tremendous Mitsubishi Triton
Capable and comfortable
This double-cab bakkie can take everyone and everything, everywhere.
Last week, My.Na Cars passenger princess Diana Master met up with Mitsubishi Motors Namibia’s sales manager Andre van der Merwe to gain insight into the incredible Mitsubishi Triton. Thanks to the sumptuous, spacious cabin, Master described the automobile as a cross-over between a luxury vehicle and a bakkie. Wind noise is limited to ease communication when the vehicle is at speed, while the practical J-Line design affords passengers in the back the ability to lean their seats back for comfort and leg room. Improved design language makes the Triton even more appealing while supporting thoughtful innovations like the deeper than usual loading bin and the narrower wheelbase, which enable the best turning circle radius in class, the best approach and departure angle in class, and the best ramp break angle for when you feel like hanging over the edge a little, van der Merwe said.
Reliability is synonymous with Mitsubishi, thanks to the Japanese tradition of thorough testing. Safety features include the break assist system, the anti-lock braking system to prevent sliding, electronic brake-force distribution to apply stopping power where it is most needed, and seven airbags. All double-cabs come equipped with rear-view cameras, van der Merwe said. The RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body construction absorbs impact to protect passengers, he explained.
Loving nature
The double-cab 2.4-litre Di-Dc manual transmission 4x4 variant boasts a powerful MIVEC DOHC intercooled turbo diesel engine capable of kicking out 133 kW of power at 3 500 revolutions per minute (rpm), and generating 430 Nm of torque at only 2 500 rpm. According to Van der Merwe, there is good reason to place early emphasis on 4x4 functionality, rough terrain capability, and the effortless command of rocky, hilly veld conditions that will make anyone behind the steering wheel look like an expert.
“The Triton shines in nature, and Namibia has a lot of nature,” he pointed out. Traversing rocky terrain easily, up and over steep inclines, and climbing mountains effortlessly, without even engaging the highest level diff-lock, is commonplace for the Triton, he said.
Top of the range
Mitsubishi’s Super Select 2 four-wheel drive system allows a shift-on-the-fly transition from rear-wheel drive to permanent 4x4 at up to 100 kmph. Van der Merwe pointed out that the system was developed so that Mitsubishi could claim world record-holder status for winning the Dakar Rally twelve times, six of which were in succession.
The top-of-the range Mitsubishi Triton Athlete is currently on special, with Metje Ziegler facilitating up to N$30 000 savings when you buy one from N$730 000. Alternatively, wait for the eagerly anticipated next-generation 2024 Triton to enter the Namibian market. Updating on the 2017 design, van der Merwe promised that the automobile has been improved from the ground up and will be a game-changer: “From better to amazing,” he said.