After a long wait, Mitsubishi has finally launched the new Triton Athlete in South Africa, boasting bespoke interior and exterior touches compared to the standard double cab.
The Athlete slots in near the top of the Triton hierarchy with a starting price of R749,990 – which includes a 3-year/100,000km warranty, 5-year/90,000km service plan, and 5-year/unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance – putting it right below the special-edition Heritage and all-out Xtreme models.
Athlete specifications
Based on the standard Triton 4×4, the new Athlete provides a sportier appearance that was inspired by the “Cafe Racer concept that originated among British motorcycle lovers in London in the 1960s,” said Mitsubishi South Africa.
With this in mind, the newcomer stands out from its siblings through the addition of red highlights in the front and rear bumpers as well as the sidesteps, LED headlamps with black accents and matching daytime-running lamps, model-unique 18-inch alloy wheels in black, and perhaps most noticeably, an exclusive sticker pack that includes a hood decal, tailgate strip, and side stripes featuring the number 01.
The “motorsport-inspired” theme is continued in the interior where the leather steering wheel, parking brake, and floor console are endowed with black and red stitching, complementing the Athlete-only leather seats and door trim which have been treated to red needlework, too.
This bakkie also boasts all the features of the model it is based on, meaning buyers can expect a touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, automatic headlights and wipers, keyless entry and start, an electric driver seat, dual-zone climate control with rear-seat vents, cruise control, a reverse camera, and seven airbags.
Under the skin, the Athlete is identical to its namesakes, being driven by a 2.4-litre, turbo-diesel engine with 133kW and 430Nm, mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox that features Intelligent Shift Control.
This setup lends the double cab a combined fuel consumption of 8.3l/100km and a maximum towing capacity of 3,100kg, while the load bin supports a maximum haul of 1,030kg.
Additionally, the Triton boasts Mitsubishi’s Super Select II 4WD system with seven drive modes including Normal, Eco, Gravel, Mud, Sand, Snow, and Rock; as well as 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (full-time four-wheel drive), 4HLc (locked center differential), and 4LLc (locked center differential with low gear) settings.
Further bolstering its off-roading abilities are “electronic off-road assistance” and hill start and descent control; while an approach and departure angle of 31 and 29 degrees, respectively, a 25-degree break-over angle, and 220mm of ground clearance complete the Triton’s offerings.
Mitsubishi Triton Athlete
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