Next gen of Mitsubishi’s incoming one-tonne nonetheless sticks to familiar ingredients.

'NEW old-school’ might be one way of describing the sixth-generation Triton ute, going by what Mitsubishi is saying.

Scheduled for global reveal later this month, the model will - according to a release from the brand - feature a “newly developed ladder frame chassis and engine”.

Which means? Well, a ladder frame chassis is a good thing for any off-road vehicle, but it’s hardly a new design approach. 

And, as they’re talking about an engine rather than a motor, it means continuation of internal combustion, rather than electric engagement. Though the latter is expected at some point.

There’s more new (but not in the absolute sense) in respect to the suspension. The make says the one-tonne dual cab will also be underpinned by a newly design double wishbone suspension up front. But it keeps leaf spring suspension - again a good thing for utes, but also hardly a breakthrough. Leaf springs go back to the dawn of motoring. Having been plucked from horse-drawn carriages.

Still, all this is enough for Mitsubishi to assert the competitor for the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux is a clean sheet design.

Mitsubishi Motors chef product specialist Yoshiki Masuda has related: “Having the full model change of all-new Triton for the first time in about nine years, we have newly developed the engine, suspension, interior and exterior, which has resulted in significant improvements in driving performance, comfort and safety.”

There’s been a lot of conjecture about whether next Triton would continue with the 2.4-litre turbodiesel under the bonnet of all current editions. 

The incumbent generates 133kW and 340Nm, which is below the outputs for the four-cylinders in the Ford Ranger - a twin turbo 2.0-litre making 154kW and 500Nm - and the Toyota Hilux, which has a single turbo 2.8-litre good for 150kW and 500Nm.

Triton is being unveiled in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 26. Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand has offered no comment on the international news share and has yet to say when new Triton will release, though it is advertising the current line as being subject to special runout pricing and availability.