Watch out, HiLux and Ranger! 2024 Mitsubishi Triton officially shown in pre-production form, ready for launch soon

For something Mitsubishi is calling a concept, the XRT looks an awful lot like what we'd expect a production version of the 2024 Triton to look like.

The 2023 Bangkok International Motor Show is the location for the XRT Concept’s debut, which gives a precursory look at the 2024 Mitsubishi Triton ute.

CarsGuide’s own reports have followed the trail of Triton news, but now there’s a much more concrete look at design and timing.

“After the launch in Thailand in fiscal 2023, it will be released sequentially in the ASEAN region, Oceania and other global markets,” Mitsubishi says.

By fiscal 2023, Mitsubishi means April 2023 to March 2024  - the Japanese fiscal year. That’s within the next year, though don’t expect to wait that long to see it - the Triton’s design looks close to production if the XRT Concept is anything to go by.

Some familiar Triton parts appear, as well as elements required for production like proper door handles and realistically sized wheels.

Mitsubishi Motors president and chief executive officer Takao Kato confirmed the new generation Triton is almost ready to debut, meaning the concept car could be just about what to expect - save for the camouflage (inspired by lava rocks, the brand says) and rally-style spare tyres. Don’t expect the branded sports bar and intake snorkel to be standard, either.

The XRT Concept debuted at the 2023 Bangkok International Motor Show.

“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,” said Kato.

“With the new vehicle launches as the centrepiece, we will continue our drive toward further growth.”

Interestingly, the XRT bears the Ralliart logo on its front doors in the camouflage design, doing a little more than hinting that a Ralliart version of the Triton is likely to arrive at some point to take the fight to hotted up versions of the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

Further to that, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart “plans to compete with a prototype cross-country model of the all-new Triton” during the 2023 Asia Cross Country Rally in August.

Featuring on the front doors of the XRT Concept is the Ralliart logo.

In terms of drivetrain, don’t expect a major turnaround in electrification strategy from Mitsubishi. While the brand is a strong player in the plug-in hybrid space, its dual-cab ute will need old-school diesel power if it wants to take the fight to its aforementioned Toyota and Ford rivals. That’s not to say it won’t happen, but it will take time.

Mitsubishi executive officer Takashi Shirakawa told CarsGuide late last year that an electrified Triton is on the schedule for this decade, putting it within the bounds of happening within the sixth-generation Triton’s lifespan.

“We are trying to introduce the electrified [Triton] application in the 2020 period, not after 2030,” Shirakawa said to CarsGuide. “We’re trying, but we don’t know if it will happen or not - it depends on whether we can reduce the cost.

The new generation Triton is almost ready to debut, meaning the concept car could be just about what to expect.

“We are thinking about whether hybrid is better, plug-in hybrid is better or pure electric is better, and we have those products in prototypes and we are comparing them, but our headache is always, always cost.”

As part of the XRT’s debut announcement, CEO Takao Kato also reconfirmed a new compact SUV will launch within the next year, referring to the model previewed by the XFC Concept. Expect to see something to follow in the tyre tracks of the current ASX small SUV soon.