The new, sixth-generation Mitsubishi Triton was recently unveiled in Thailand exclusively with four-cylinder power, but the company hasn’t ruled out the possibility of introducing a larger V6 turbo-diesel engine.
Speaking with CarExpert, Mitsubishi Motors chief product specialist Yoshiki Masuda said the new ute should theoretically be capable of fitting a larger engine.
“It depends on the V6. We increased the track including the distance of the ladder frame, and also the axle mass capacity is significant,” said Masuda-san.
“So maybe [it] should be compatible with a bigger engine, like a V6, if possible.”
When asked if Mitsubishi has tested a larger V6 engine in the Triton, Masuda-san responded with “not yet”.
Mitsubishi has never offered a V6 turbo-diesel engine in the Triton locally. A 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine was offered locally up until 2009 in fourth-generation guise.
Within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, Nissan last offered a V6 turbo-diesel engine locally in the second-generation Navara in 2014.
Mercedes-Benz also offered a different V6 turbo-diesel in the now-defunct X-Class, which was based on the same platform as the current Nissan Navara.
After its demise, the only turbo-diesel V6 ute in this segment locally was the Volkswagen Amarok. In its latest iteration, it continues to offer one, as does its Ford Ranger platform-mate.
It’s unclear what kind of V6 turbo-diesel engine Mitsubishi would use if it actually intends to put one in the new Triton.
“We are really not sure about the powertrain conversion [within] the Alliance,” said Masuda-san.
The Mitsubishi brand doesn’t offer a turbo-diesel V6, nor do Renault and Nissan.
As previously reported, the entire global Mitsubishi Triton range at launch comes with a newly developed 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that’s available in three different tunes.
Only the flagship 2.4-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine has been detailed for Australia thus far, and produces 150kW of power and 470Nm of torque.
These outputs are closer to what’s offered in the likes of the HiLux and Ranger Bi-Turbo, though it’s still a fair way off on the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine (184kW/600Nm) that’s offered in the Ranger/Amarok duo.
Would you buy a new Mitsubishi Triton if it came with a V6 turbo-diesel engine? Let us know in the comments below.
