Mitsubishi doesn’t want to get left out of the
ever-growing market for performance off-road pickups, and the Triton Absolute
concept offers pretty strong clues about what’s in the pipeline. Unveiled at the Bangkok Auto Show
in Thailand, the Triton Absolute is said to embody “the rugged, solid, and
uncompromising nature” of the pickup Europeans know as the L200.
Mitsubishi’s press blurb couldn’t be less specific
so we don’t know whether the Triton Absolute will materialize into a rival for
the Ford Ranger Raptor or not. However, looking at the vehicle it’s pretty
clear that it looks pretty much ready to roll off the assembly line.
The automaker is calling it a concept
vehicle for now, and it’ll probably gauge public reaction before announcing a
production version. Judging by the looks of it, we anticipate the Triton
Absolute will get a warm reception.
It looks much more rugged than the regular model
thanks to the 50 mm lift kit with increased suspension travel, beadlock
wheels shod with Falken Wildpeak off-road tires, and carbon fiber fender flares
that accommodate the wider tracks. Not very common on pickups, carbon fiber is
also used for the bumper applications, protective body paneling, and tailgate.
Other distinctive details include prominent front
and rear skid plates with red accents and grey outlines, red grab handles above
each door, tonneau cover with an additional four grab handles, roof-mounted LED
light bar and black grille. There’s no information on the engine so we have to assume Mitsubishi
made no changes in that department compared to the standard Triton pickup. The
automaker will parade the Triton Absolute at various events over the coming
year to get feedback which means a production version isn’t likely to arrive
earlier than 2020 — assuming the public will love this pre-production concept.
