2023 Mitsubishi Triton PHEV planned, full EV expected too

UPDATE: Triton PHEV planned; full EV also possible

Mitsubishi has confirmed the below report and revealed it isn’t only investigating a plug-in hybrid version of the next-generation Triton, but that a fully electric version is also being explored.

Speaking with 4X4 at the Aussie launch of the Outlander PHEV, Mitsubishi’s lead engineer for the new SUV, Kentaro Honda, said the brand is keen to tap into the success Ford has achieved with the electric F-150 Lightning.

“Because we have a PHEV system [in the Outlander] we can transfer it to a truck EV or pick-up truck hybrid, so we are now investigating how to fit our PHEV system to a truck type pick-up, yes,” he said. “And the Ford Lightning has an EV, that is a good benchmark so we are also investigating a type of truck EV.”

Mr Honda wouldn’t be drawn on when an electric Triton might make it to market, saying “I have no good answer for you right now” – but he did elaborate that Mitsubishi’s role in the Renault/Nissan/Mitsubishi alliance would play a vital role.

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Above: the Outlander PHEV's 2.4-litre petrol engine and electric components

“The Alliance has a passenger EV, so I think Mitsubishi should have a truck type EV or hybrid type vehicle,” he said.

Mitsubishi Australia boss Shaun Westcott also threw his support behind a hybrid version of the next-gen Triton, saying the technology offers much more for dual-cab owners than just saving fuel.

“I do believe it is the future,” he said. “And personally I think it’s one of the best options given where our vehicles are used. We have a very strong rural and provincial base, and given the amount of time it’s going to take charging infrastructure to reach remote and rural Australia ,we think some form of hybrid – whether that be hybrid or PHEV, it doesn’t matter – is probably the right way to go for those vehicles.

“And we can already see in our Outlander the wider benefits [of plug-in powertrains]. They can be used to plug in tools, grinders or all sorts of things, so that is the way to go.

Alex Inwood

The story to here

July 26: Triton PHEV rumoured

The sixth-generation 2023 Mitsubishi Triton will become the first electrified dual-cab ute in Australia, according to a new report.

Japanese publication Spyder7 reports a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the new-generation Triton ute will debut next year, adopting a modified version of the powertrain found in the soon-to-launch Outlander PHEV.

Traditional diesel and petrol engines will continue to be offered for the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50 and Nissan Navara rival, amongst others.

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The mid-sized Outlander PHEV features a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated Atkinson-cycle petrol engine producing 98kW, combined with 85kW front and 100kW rear electric motors, with a total system output of 185kW and 450Nm.

For reference, the 2.4-litre diesel engine found in the current Triton and Pajero Sport has 133kW and 430Nm, while its top-selling competitors are pushing to break the 500Nm barrier.

In the Outlander, electric power is backed by a 20kWh battery pack – up from 13.8kWh in the outgoing model – allowing for a WLTP-rated 84-kilometre electric-only driving range and a combined fuel economy figure of 1.5 litres per 100km.

However, the additional weight of a body-on-frame ute would likely require changes to maintain similar numbers.

In addition, the plug-in Outlander has a maximum braked towing capacity of 1600 kilograms, likely necessitating the development of a more-potent powertrain for the Triton to retain its workhorse-like capabilities.

The report follows a recent sighting of the next-generation Triton (pictured above and below) during hot-weather testing in southern Europe.

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Little information is known about the specifications of the all-new ute, but it is expected to have a longer wheelbase and wider track than the current Triton, which is 5.21m long and 1.82m wide.

However, we know it will share its underpinnings with the next-generation Nissan Navara – allowing for a potential electrified version of the Nissan.

Mitsubishi is believed to be the lead developer for the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s latest global mid-sized pick-up trucks, although the pair’s interior and exterior styling are likely to differ.

The 2023 Mitsubishi Triton is expected to be unveiled later this year or early 2023, ahead of a potential local launch in the second half of next year. The plug-in hybrid variant is likely to follow by the end of 2024.