Fiat Fullback

No, Mitsubishi hasn’t redesigned the gaudy chrome nose on its latest Triton just months after its release.

We’re not sure that it shouldn’t, though.

This is Fiat’s take on the Triton and it’s called the Fullback. Basically, it’s a rebadged MQ Triton with the same 2.4L diesel engine and the choice of auto or manual gearboxes. Only the double-cab 4x4 Fullback was shown at the unveiling in Dubai this week.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has said that the Fullback will be for international markets but there is no confirmation yet if and when it will come to Australia. If it does, it will join the likes of the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Holden Colorado and Triton in the hotly contested one-tonne ute segment. The Fullback could be just the vehicle to give FCA a contender in that segment, where it currently has none.

Countries like Australia and South Africa are mad for 4x4 one-tonne utes and are equally nuts for rugby, so the Fullback moniker should resonate with them, although you might say that Fiat missed a prime launch opportunity with the Rugby World Cup being held last month.

Also last month, Fiat pulled the covers off its Toro small ute, which is being built in South America for markets there, but it is a light-duty truck built on the Jeep Renegade platform. The rebadged Triton would be a proper one-tonner with real off-road capability. FCA Australia is still thought to be keen on the RAM 1500 pick-up for Australia some time down the track, but that vehicle is currently not made in right-hand drive (RHD). A semi factory-backed full-size RAM 2500 goes on sale here later this year – it’ll be imported, converted to RHD, and distributed here via Ateco Automotive.