Mitsubishi expands Triton line-up

MITSUBISHI Motors Australia Ltd (MMAL) has expanded its freshly launched Triton ute range with three more GLX workhorses, including a new entry level 4x2 cab chassis that will be the sole petrol offering.

Kicking off the range at $21,990 plus on-road costs, the GLX 4x2 cab-chassis is powered by a 94kW/194Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder Euro 5-compliant petrol engine matched with a five-speed manual gearbox, delivering fuel economy of 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle.

Also new to the range are a double-cab version of the Triton GLX 4x4 cab-chassis and a manual-equipped GLX 4x2 double-cab pick-up. Both of these employ the same new-generation 133kW/430Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel as the rest of the range.

The double-cab 4x4 GLX cab-chassis is priced from $36,240 for the six-speed manual and $38,740 for the five-speed auto, while the manual GLX 4x2 double-cab pick-up is available from $33,490 – $2500 less than the automatic version that went on sale with the rest of the range in April.

Until now, the most affordable new Triton currently available has been the $24,490 diesel 4x2 GLX cab-chassis.

Adding a petrol engine brings Triton into line with some of its major rivals, albeit as a high price. Toyota offers its HiLux as a single-cab 4x2 petrol manual cab-chassis from $18,990 plus on-roads, while Ford has an equivalent version of the Ranger from $19,740.

Mitsubishi has been selling the previous-generation Triton alongside the new version since it launched, but stock of the old model is expected to be exhausted this month, according to a MMAL spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi has added new in-car technology to its ageing Pajero four-wheel drive.

The Pajero's Smartphone Link Display Audio system now includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard on all three variants of the big off-roader from September, ahead of a roll-out of the technology across Mitsubishi's other models in the coming months.

The Apple and Android systems mirror the user's smartphone platform on the Pajero's 7.0-inch touchscreen via a connected USB cable, allowing access to phone, music streaming and any apps already installed on the user's device. DAB digital radio will also be made standard.

Mitsubishi joins a growing list of car-makers to introduce the Apple and Android connectivity system to its models, with Jeep, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, and Volkswagen Group brands among others supporting the tech.

A new premium paint colour, Terra Rossa, also has been made available on Pajero, all variants of which come with four-wheel drive and seven seats.

Pricing has not moved, with the base GXL maintaining its $53,990 plus on-road costs staring price, while the mid-spec GLS is $58,990 and the Exceed flagship $65,990.

However, due to low demand for manual gearboxes, the base GXL manual that was priced at $50,990 has been discontinued, making the Pajero an auto-only range.

While Mitsubishi previewed a possible design for the long-awaited next-generation Pajero at the 2013 Tokyo motor show with the GC-PHEV concept, a replacement for the nine-year-old model is believed to be up to two years away.

The new-generation Triton-based Challenger is due to arrive early next year to lift interest in Mitsubishi's SUV line-up.

2016 Mitsubishi Pajero pricing*

GLX (a)	$53,990
GLS (a)	$58,990
Exceed (a)	$65,990

*Excludes on-road costs2016 Mitsubishi Triton pricing*

Single Cab GLX 4x2 petrol	$21,990
Double Cab Pick Up GLX 4x2	$33,490
Double Cab Chassis GLX 4x4	$36,240
Double Cab Chassis GLX 4x4 (a)	$38,740

*Excludes on-road costs