Facelifted model
Current model.
Autoincar.com has published some leaked images of the next facelift Triton (L200 in Europe). The only major difference is a revised front fascia (grille and bumper). However the images here refer to a low rider 4x2 space-cab body version. Flagship 3.2-litre models should spot a sportier wire mesh grille as per the current model.
According to autoincar, the facelifted Triton is expected to be launched at the upcoming Motor Expo 2008 in Thailand (29th November to 3rd December 2008). However as of to date, there is no official press release by Mitsubishi Motors Thailand's website, and the site still carries images of the current Triton.
The Triton made its global debut when it was first launched in Thailand back in August 2005. When it was launched, it created some ripples throughout the truck segment with its revolutionary design that broke many conventions in truck design, particularly the curved seperator line at the sides separating the cargo bed and cab area. Mitsubishi kept banging on its unique selling point of providing better creature comforts compared to the segment leading Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max. In the ASEAN region, Triton is giving D-Max a run for its money and in Malaysia, sales of the Triton almost ties with D-Max. However both still lags behind the Hilux in all key truck markets in the region. The Hilux is still chugging along in pole position despite being the oldest truck in the market.
Early this year, Triton was also recognised as the safest truck by EuroNCAP. Of course, safe in terms of a collision. As mentioned earlier here, EuroNCAP does not evaluate how well does a car avoids crashing in the first place. Though ESP fitment is taken into consideration during points award by EuroNCAP but its dynamic function are never tested.
It is also interesting to note that the Triton is the ONLY pick-up truck on sale in Japan. The market potential of trucks have almost diminished as recreation vehicle users increasingly favour urban SUVs over crude looking trucks. But the unconventionally designed Triton allows it a decent chance of coaxing style conscious Japanese consumers to consider it. To date, the Triton manage to carve itself a small niche within the Japanese water / winter sports community. Traders, utility workers in Japan often rely on Toyota's Liteace, or various versions of stripped down estates like Honda's Airwave or Nissan's Advan or Expert. But the odd thing is that old, used pick-up trucks are still fetching relatively high prices in the used car market. Guess domestic Japanese manufacturers still consider the market to be too small to justify the effort.
Japanese market Triton (exported from Thailand) can be identified from its mandatory (under Japanese motor vehicle regulation, applies to SUVs as well) left front fender mirror and tinted rear windows that is common for most Japanese market recreation vehicles.
