Showcases all-new Triton pickup
Mitsubishi held last week the world premiere of the Mitsubishi D:X Concept electrified crossover MPV at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, while also showcasing the all-new Triton pickup truck, which is anticipated to be launched in the Philippines early next year.
At the press conference, Takao Kato, president and chief executive officer, Mitsubishi Motors, said: “The Mitsubishi D:X Concept is a concept car that brings together the best of Mitsubishi Motors’ technologies – our electrification and all-wheel control technologies in particular – with a view to realizing a carbon-neutral society. We will continue to provide fulfilling mobility lifestyles that awaken the adventurous spirit of drivers and provide excitement for everyone on board.”
Designed to hint at the Delica (the successor of the L300 Versa Van) of the future, the Mitsubishi D:X is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) crossover MPV concept car that embodies Mitsubishi’s spirit of adventure.
Combining the versatile and spacious cabin space of an MPV with the confident road handling of an SUV, while providing the powerful and worry-free performance of a PHEV, the D:X Concept supports the active lifestyle.
The character of Japan’s current Delica is expressed by the side window graphics extending from the front of the cabin to the robust D-pillar. Expansiveness is created by the front window that wraps around to the bottom.
The sturdy over fenders and large-diameter tires convey a sense of strength, while the front and rear skid plates and side step protectors provide excellent performance even on rough conditions.
The Dynamic Shield front face, which conveys powerful performance and protection for both pedestrians and cars, has been further evolved to protect the cabin with an integrated shield that extends from the sides, with a skid plate providing extra protection off road.
Projection laser lights are used for the distinctive T-shaped lights, which extend to both ends to produce an impression of width.
The body color is a luxurious glamping-inspired copper with a new semi-gloss texture.
Panoramic seats that rotate and move up and down, and a front window and see-through hood that provide an open, wide field of vision create an aerial cockpit, offering an unprecedented driving experience. The front seats can be rotated backward to create a space where all occupants can enjoy face-to-face conversation.
The see-through hood, which extends from the front window glass to the bottom, displays a combination of information such as the road surface conditions ahead and the turn angle of the front tires. An open and expansive field of vision is provided.
A voice-interactive AI concierge provides information on routes to destinations, weather conditions and other info to help ensure a safe and stress-free driving experience.
A premium feel is provided by the tan-colored genuine leather used for the instrument panel and seats, while the metal parts in alumite gray are used as accents to express a sense of high quality gear.
A new generation sound system developed in cooperation with Yamaha Corporation has been further evolved. To provide powerful, three-dimensional sound, numerous speakers are positioned in the headrests and other locations, achieving unparalleled sound immersion.
The window pillars are made using a reinforced rib-bone frame with a circular framework structure for immense strength not often achieved in MPVs.
The S-AWC integrated vehicle dynamics control system is adopted for the electric 4WD system. The system enables a pleasant, precise handling for drivers while offering a comfortable ride with minimal swaying for passengers. Despite the high-profile monobox design, the Mitsubishi D:X Concept is designed to provide the ride of a passenger car.
The Mitsubishi D:X Concept uses a PHEV system that offers an exhilarating driving experience. It awakens drivers’ spirit of adventure and expands their range of activities by offering an EV mode for daily use and hybrid mode for long-distance trips. Different driving modes can be selected to suit the conditions, making the car ready for any kind of adventure.
The stunning all-new Triton pickup
Mitsubishi’s all-new Triton (our Strada will be renamed Triton when the new model launches locally, bringing the Philippine market in line with global nomenclature) combines the ruggedness of a pickup truck with the comfort and handling stability of an SUV.
The newly developed ladder frame uses a much greater proportion of high-tensile steel and has undergone a 65% increase in cross-sectional area from the previous model to achieve 60% greater bending rigidity and 40% greater torsional rigidity. By using ultra high-tensile steel, weight reduction is achieved despite the larger body size.
A comfortable ride and high reliability are achieved through the use of a double wishbone front suspension with increased stroke, combined with a leaf spring rear suspension that has been made lighter while maintaining its strength and payload capacity.
The newly developed 2.4L clean diesel engine with a two-stage turbo system delivers easy-to-manage output in the range of everyday use, while the 6-speed automatic with sport mode enables crisp driving.
An array of driver assistance technologies including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and the Mitsubishi Connect, a connected car service, help reduce the driver’s load and provide a safe, comfortable driving experience.
SS4-II allows the driver to easily change 4WD modes with a dial selector. SS4-II is equipped with a torque-sensing limited-slip differential (LSD) that distributes 40% of the driving force to the front and 60% to the rear to provide balanced traction and cornering performance. It comes with four options of 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (full-time 4WD), 4HLc (locked center differential), and 4LLc (locked center differential with lower gears).
Seven selectable drive modes, Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock, are available in each 4WD mode.
Active Yaw Control (brake control type), which improves cornering performance by gently applying brakes to the inside front wheel when cornering, and active LSD (brake control type), which applies the brakes to spinning wheels and distributes driving torque to wheels gripping the road surface, improve cornering and safety on slippery surfaces, enabling precise driving.
Mitsubishi’s “Beast Mode” design concept expresses not only the power expected of a pickup truck, but also an imposing aura that projects both robustness and agility.
The now-more squarish Dynamic Shield front face has been specifically tailored for a pickup truck with a robust, three-dimensional front grille, a powerful form extending from the fenders, and an under guard that accentuates this.
The daytime running lights, which consist of three L-shaped LED lights, have a sharp, mean look, combining with the sculpted three-lens projector headlights below them to create a design that exudes a commanding and muscular presence.
The rear end features taut surfaces that extend from the sides of the body while still maintaining a cargo bed of sufficient size. T-shaped taillights emphasize the width of the body and give the rear a sense of heft.
Functional design features are incorporated throughout, including a cabin shape designed with aerodynamics in mind, larger door handles that are easier to grip and more durable, and wider side steps for better drainage.
The interior is also highly practical, with a powerful, horizontally themed instrument panel that makes it easy to detect changes in the vehicle’s posture while driving, and soft padding in key locations to protect the occupants. The cabin space has a high-contrast, modern feel, with geometric shapes and extensive use of metallic elements.
The monitor, gauges and high-contrast switches are designed for easy visibility, while the selectors, dials and switches are calibrated to allow for reliable operation even with gloves on. The steering wheel, grips, and door handles were designed based on the Mitsubishi Touch concept to provide a comfortable grip and a sense of solidity.
While it’s a long shot for the Philippines to get the production version of the D:X Concept—assuming it even makes it to production (plus we haven’t had a Delica export for two decades)—the all-new Triton pickup will certainly be battling the established pickup leaders in the local market next year. That will be a titanic battle indeed.