The next generation of Mitsubishi’s traydeck has unveiled at a motor show in Thailand – with a light disguise and motorsport mojo.

ADDITIONAL insight into the styling direction of a ute popular with Kiwis has been revealed.

Actually, make that two utes. 

Mitsubishi is open that the XRT Concept it is displaying at an international motor show in Bangkok from today is a design study to the next Triton one-tonner, set to be fully unveiled later this year and likely to be on our roads by early 2024. By then it will have been tested in a motorsport event in Asia.

A comprehensive redesign of the current model that’s put in nine years’ service, the concept goes for a menacing look with narrow split LED headlights and daytime running lights, boldly flared wheel arches and a muscular shoulder line. The kicked-up rear window and square arch design are translated to be a nod to the current MQ ute.

This is the sixth generation of Triton and will also become the basis of the future Nissan Navara, a twin-under-the skin.  

The Japanese brands are partners in an alliance, also involving Renault. Mitsubishi is the lead developer of a one-tonne ute platform for that group.

Triton will start out with an international combustion engine but a hybrid version – almost certainly a plug-in – is anticipated, with a battery-electric also possible, though not a dead-cert. Mitsubishi recently indicated it’s first battery-dedicated traydeck might yet be a version of an even larger vehicle, developed as a replacement for the current Nissan Titan, only sold in North America.

XRT is proposed as a sports pitch, to the degree it has Ralliart decals.

Takao Kato, president and chief executive officer of Mitsubishi Motors, has indicated the new Triton will be revealed fairly soon.

“The all-new Triton is going through final touch-ups in preparation for its release, as we have performed rigorous endurance tests around the world while also incorporating the know-how gained from rally activities.”

Why Thailand? It’s an easy one to answer. Triton is now only manufactured at the Laemchabang factory in Thailand. It’s a global strategic vehicle exported to about 150 countries.  

Mitsubishi says XRT Concept is characterised by a fierce expression on the front and a robust hood that continues to the side with bold, horizontally-themed styling. It’s fitted with front and rear over fenders as well as mud-terrain tyres, “giving it the powerful drive to compete in gruelling rallies and the dynamism to dash across the terrain.”

 The camouflage design has been inspired by lava rocks packed with condensed energy. The sides being adorned with a graphic of the 10-parallel line Ralliart brand icon “expresses Mitsubishi Motors’ passion for driving.”

 Mitsubishi says it wants to pitch this truck into a local rally, in November, to defend a title to won last year. It says it uses expertise gained from rallies as feedback in the development of its production vehicles, as it seeks to create vehicles with “Mitsubishi Motors-ness”, which deliver safe, comfortable driving enjoyment in any weather or road conditions.