Don’t look now, but Mitsubishi might be cool again
It ain't a Raptor killer just yet, but Mitsubishi are showing they can build a seriously cool 4X4 once more
Last Updated: 9 December 2022
Finally, another manufacturer has heeded calls to make fun stuff again. Mitsubishi have come back to the motorsport table, and their RALLIART Triton finished top of the tree. The Asia Cross Country Rally is a gruelling 1,700km sprint held annually beginning in Thailand, and finishing in various other Asian countries. Returning after a two-year COVID hiatus, the 2022 version ran from Thailand to Cambodia.
The factory-backed Triton managed not only a first-place finish. But also managed to get their second car home in fifth place. While this gives us cause for celebration, it’s important to note that Mitsubishi are only “considering the possibility of returning next year’.
Still, it’s a giant leap in the right direction in our opinion. And a win on debut must be encouraging for them.
The Tritons entered are classified as FIA Group T1 rally cars, which essentially means a prototype cross-country vehicle. They are based on the Thailand-spec dual cab with a handful of lightened panels. Plenty of strength was added, including a full roll cage.
“The 2.4L diesel was tuned, and the whole package rides on CUSCO adjustable dampers.”
The 2.4L diesel was tuned, and the whole package rides on CUSCO adjustable dampers. There are a set of aluminium WORK wheels wrapped in Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T tyres, with big brakes hidden behind. There are many river crossings along the course, so a snorkel was a must.
The team was marshalled by two-time Dakar Rally winner, Hiroshi Masuoka. Chayapon Yotha piloted the winning Triton with Peerapong Sombutwong his co-driver for the six-day event.
Upon completion of the event, Yotha had this to say. “It was a very tough battle over the six days, but I am very happy to take the overall victory. In order to win among rivals with larger engine displacements, I concentrated on reducing mistakes thoroughly and completing each corner and stage carefully. We were able to achieve good results in this rally because of the excellent handling performance of the Triton. It was very easy to control, allowing me to follow the line as I intended in any road surface conditions. Tarmac, gravel or mud,”
Hiroshi Masuoka, Team Director of Team Mitsubishi RALLIART commented “This was our first attempt to return to the motorsport scene under the name of RALLIART, and it was a very important rally for Mitsubishi Motors. I thought that it would be good enough for us to finish in the upper rankings, but I am very happy that the team have taken an overall victory. The mechanics and engineers brought the Triton to the course in perfect condition every day, and the drivers and co-drivers brought out the best performance from the Triton. This victory was the result of teamwork and know-how that Mitsubishi Motors has accumulated over the years.”
Let’s hope that this is the springboard for Mitsubishi to give us consumers a sporty Triton to play in the Raptor space. RALLIART has got pedigree better than most. So it’s a safe bet that if they turn their attention to the production Triton, we’ll end up with a genuine challenger.
