2024 Mitsubishi Triton Australian Engineering and Tuning Details

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has collaborated with its Australian counterpart, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL), to develop the new-generation Triton, a light commercial utility vehicle. This development is part of MMC's global Research & Development (R&D) initiative, which involved work across four continents.

The new-gen Triton, tailored for the Australian market, is the result of a comprehensive testing and development program. MMAL's Product Strategy team, in cooperation with MMC's international R&D engineers, has focused on fine-tuning the vehicle's steering and suspension specifically for Australian and New Zealand markets.

Tony Dorrington, Project Manager at MMAL, highlighted the evolving expectations of customers from utility vehicles. The new-gen Triton aims to offer the drive experience of a good SUV, with improvements in agility, responsiveness, and comfort, while maintaining its traditional off-road and workhorse capabilities.

COVID-19-related travel restrictions initially limited Australian involvement in the vehicle's tuning. However, the easing of these restrictions allowed the MMAL team to collaborate closely with MMC on developing settings for the Triton and other models like the Outlander.

Dorrington emphasized the importance of steering feel for Australian drivers, noting that the new Triton's Electric Power Steering (EPS) system enhances driving ease across various conditions. The collaborative effort focused on achieving a balance between the vehicle's traditional strengths and an improved driving experience akin to an SUV.

The development process involved extensive testing of over 100 combinations of front and rear suspension options on Australian roads and proving grounds. The final selections were made after rigorous evaluations, including a 'Key Person Ride' at the Lang Lang Proving Ground in Victoria, attended by senior MMC executives.

Tetsuya Tobe, Segment Chief Vehicle Engineer for Triton at MMC, explained that the development of the new-gen Triton involved understanding the requirements of various markets. Australia's significant role in the light commercial segment influenced the decision to tailor the Triton to Australian conditions.

Tony Dorrington, a Mechanical Engineer with a background in tyre development and rallying, has been integral to MMAL's vehicle testing and development since 2003. His extensive experience has contributed to the localised engineering efforts for the new-gen Triton in collaboration with MMC's R&D team.