IT’S fascinating to see how workhorse utes have been transformed into show ponies in the last few years. Suddenly it’s politically correct to be seen in a macho workhorse that indulges in a little stylistic chic. Mitsubishi’s latest Triton is a classic example of where workhorses are headed these days. With a dual cab that could, from the inside, belong to a standard four-door sedan, the bold new one-tonner is also an attention grabber from outside. With the all-new body, and chassis, comes a new super-tough turbo-diesel, as well as a bigger V6 engine, donated by the Pajero, and refinements to the ride and handling that bring the Mitsubishi into contention with dominant players such as Nissan Navara and Toyota HiLux. Some might decry the loss of ute space suffered by the dual cab, but passengers certainly won’t.

MK Triton utility
Released: October 1996
Ended: July 2006
Family Tree: TritonThe third-generation MK Triton came here in 1996 and was produced at Mitsubishi’s plant in Thailand. By the time 2006 rolled around it was looking too narrow-waisted compared with its contemporaries from Toyota, Holden and Nissan, and was starting to feel pretty agricultural in the way it drove and the dual-cab passenger comfort it offered. But it remained an effective workhorse and was given a big boost with a refresh that included a new GLX-R turbo-diesel in 2005.
Facebook Twitter Instagram