2023 Mitsubishi Triton Xtreme by Walkinshaw review: First drive

A Walkinshaw-fettled Triton has officially entered the Australian market, but buyers will have to be quick to claim one – a limited run of just 500 units will be available through select dealers in Q3 of this year.

Dubbed the Triton Xtreme, the limited-edition variant has been stamped with an RRP of $71,990, making it around $14,000 dearer than the Triton GSR it’s based on.

Why the Triton? In the build’s infancy, Walkinshaw sat down as a team and looked at the best-selling utes of 2022, soon realising the Triton consistently sat at the pointy end of the charts behind the Ranger and Hilux. And it didn’t have a similar halo model like the Ranger Raptor or Hilux Rogue atop its hierarchy.

34

The process began by 3D-scanning the Triton GSR, to provide the Walkinshaw team with exact areas where they could improve the vehicle.

From this initial step, it was noted that improving the vehicle’s suspension - especially for off-road driving - should be prioritised.

An enduring relationship between Walkinshaw and Supashock meant that another collaboration was essential to enhance the top-spec Triton dual-cab with a state-of-the-art suspension set-up designed to improve both on- and off-road performance.

34

Four Supashock 46mm monotube dampers with a 20mm rod design were installed on each corner of the vehicle, with the front units running a remote canister and the rear a piggyback system.

Walkinshaw tells us it’s a much simpler setup than what they installed on the second-gen SportsCat (remember that?) which employed an upside-down damper and sliding bodies.

Still, a few laps around Lang Lang’s road circuit in the Xtreme proved it handles considerably smoother with this suspension package, soaking up the loop’s minor road imperfections effectively. It’s the same diagnosis when tarmac turns to mud and ruts, with the Supashock system providing a compliant ride on what was a sloppy track.

34

Walkinshaw engineers spent considerable time testing and towing with the vehicle in South Australia’s majestic Flinders Ranges, with tuning ensuring the vehicle maintained the GSR’s towing capabilities at a GVM of 2900kg and a GCM of 5885kg.

The 2.4-litre MiVEC turbo-diesel engine that powers the entire Triton range remains untouched, with Walkinshaw Automotive telling 4X4 Australia it was purely a time-based decision. To tinkle with the powertrain and put the vehicle through stringent emissions testing protocols would’ve taken far too long and made the project impossible for what the 18-month timeline allowed.

Clearly, more power would’ve been a welcome addition for a Walkinshaw-badged vehicle, but the standard 133kW and 430Nm on offer from the regular mill gets the lithe vehicle – relative to its immediate competitors – along nicely and it doesn’t want for me.

34

The vehicle’s stance has also been widened, creating a more menacing appearance, making it – subjectively of course – the best-looking Triton in the line-up.

To achieve the widened stance, Walkinshaw designers created bespoke fender flares and mud flaps to cover the custom-designed 18 x 8.5-inch forged aluminium wheels housed inside on- and off-road conquering BFGoodrich AT 265/60R18 K02 tyres.

The wheels are strong, lightweight and a grade ahead of cast-alloy units, and the alloys employed by Walkinshaw create a much deeper dish with greater offset on the wheel itself.

The outside edges of the BFG rubber are 21mm wider than the standard GSR set-up on both sides (42mm wider all up), so the flares were essential for legal coverage.

34

To complement its visual appeal, custom styling features are positioned on the front bar, and front bar Xtreme decals – designed off Mitsubishi's own dynamic shield graphic – appear throughout the vehicle.

On the inside, an Xtreme plaque sits below the gear selector, and it’s the only change to the interior of the vehicle.

The Triton GSR is a rather premium cabin, with leather-appointed seats (heated up front); a leather-bound steering wheel and gear selector; carpet floor; and a seven-inch central touchscreen that is now undersized in this segment.

Another major addition to the Xtreme is the neat-looking, custom-designed bash plate that protects vulnerable underbody components and features an in-built lightbar. Substantial testing was conducted - including wind-tunnel tests - to optimise the bash plate’s effectiveness.

34

Testing initially exposed an issue with airflow, so Walkinshaw designed and tested multiple styles before settling on the design you see fitted with three strategically-positioned slots to maximise airflow. Even the Triton lettering on the bash plate is designed to increase airflow.

Custom styling features to the front bar integrate neatly into the vehicle, while a new sports bar not only provides the vehicle with a new silhouette, it has a practical purpose by adding further tie-down points.

Walkinshaw’s team of designers noticed that on the standard GSR, the back of the tray meets the back of the cabin rather abruptly, so the pressing of the sports bar now integrates neatly with the angle of the back door to give the car a much more coherent profile than stock. A standard Mitsubishi soft cover still fits, to cover the tub.

34

With Walkinshaw Automotive confirming that only 500 of these vehicles will be built, regardless of demand, it’s critical to lodge your interest with dealers early to avoid missing out on what could be the best Triton in the line-up.

The Walkinshaw team has already shifted its focus to other projects. They’re behind a Ford Ranger Raptor at the upcoming Finke Desert race, and while a collaboration with the next-gen Amarok isn’t officially set in stone, they’ve told us they’re open to doing it once again.

Their track record proves, they’re bound to get it right.

Triton Xtreme specs

Triton Xtreme off-road specs