While the majority of bakkie owners in South Africa are drawn to offerings like Toyota's Hilux, Ford's Ranger and Isuzu's KB, many often overlook the darkhorse in the bakkie segment - the Mitsubishi Triton.
While the new Triton has proven to be one of the best offerings on the market, Mitsubishi Motors South Africa has upped the ante with their new Triton Athlete. Distinguishing the Athlete is a sporty two-tone body kit with bold orange and black exterior design cues with matching two-tone orange and black leather seats and matching interior trimmings. There's also a new-look grille design which includes a honeycomb mesh and black mouldings, repeated in the new front bumper garnish, front and rear bumpers, as well as the wheel arch designs.
While new black powder-coated diamond-cut 17" alloy wheels, a stylish sports bar with an integrated tailgate spoiler and black mouldings highlighted in the side steps, door mirrors, door handles and bumper designs to complete the sporty exterior design.
Aside from its rugged good looks, the fully imported Athlete boasts increased safety and specification levels, which includes 7 airbags, Isofix child seat anchors and a 3.1 ton towing capacity to tow any lifestyle equipment.
It's powered by a 2.4-litre MIVEC VGT turbo-diesel engine producing 133kw at 3, 500rpm and peak torque of 430nm at 2,500rpm, which is paired with a 5-speed autobox. Standard features on the Athlete include ABS with EBD, Brake Assist (BA), Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC), Hill-start Assist (HSA) and Super Select 4WD-II 4WD system.
Interestingly, despite the added kit, there is no price difference between the current range-topping Mitsubishi Motors Triton Double Cab 4X4 and the Athlete - both priced at R559 995, and comes standard with a 3-year / 100 000 km manufacturer's warranty and a 5-year / 90 000 km service plan.
Also worth a look: the Mitsubishi Triton and the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Mitsubishi's Value Punch in the .
FAQ
Q: What does the Mitsubishi Triton Athlete cost in South Africa?
The Mitsubishi Triton Athlete is priced at R559,995 in South Africa, which is exactly the same price as the standard range-topping Double Cab 4X4 model despite all the extra sporty kit and styling upgrades.
Q: Is the Mitsubishi Triton Athlete worth buying over other bakkies?
The Triton Athlete offers excellent value with its 133kW turbo-diesel engine, 3.1-tonne towing capacity, 7 airbags, and distinctive sporty styling all for R559,995, making it a solid alternative to the usual Hilux and Ranger suspects.
Q: What engine does the Mitsubishi Triton Athlete have?
The Triton Athlete packs a 2.4-litre MIVEC VGT turbo-diesel engine that produces 133kW at 3,500rpm and 430Nm of torque at 2,500rpm, paired with a 5-speed automatic gearbox.
Q: What warranty does the Mitsubishi Triton Athlete come with?
The Triton Athlete comes with a 3-year/100,000km manufacturer's warranty and a 5-year/90,000km service plan included in the R559,995 purchase price.
Q: How much can the Mitsubishi Triton Athlete tow?
The Triton Athlete can tow up to 3.1 tonnes, which is more than enough for most boats, caravans, or trailers you'd want to haul for weekend adventures.
Should You Buy It?
The best overlooked bakkie under R600,000 in SA is definitely the Mitsubishi Triton Athlete at R559,995. While everyone's fighting over Hilux and Ranger stock, you can walk into a Mitsubishi dealer and drive away with a fully loaded bakkie that offers 133kW of power, genuine 4WD capability, 3.1-tonne towing capacity, and head-turning sporty looks that'll make your neighbour's plain white Hilux look boring at the braai. The fact that it costs the same as the standard Triton but comes with all the Athlete styling upgrades makes it a no-brainer if you want something different that still gets the job done.
