Mitsubishi Triton plug-in hybrid could be a 2023 reality

According to speculation in the Japanese press, a plug-in hybrid version of Mitsubishi’s popular Triton pick-up could appear on the market as early as next year.

The rumours stem from Japanese motoring website Spyder7. In its report, the outlet stated that a Triton PHEV will be launched in 2023, potentially giving the Triton even more of a disruptor status in the popular ute segment.

Plug-in utes are a significant talking point in Australia and New Zealand currently, as both countries push to increase transition to electrified vehicles in their respective fleets.

There are currently no plug-in utes offered in either region. New Zealand is set to gain at least one by the end of the year, in the form of the LDV eT60 fully electric pick-up. And Ford has confirmed it will be launching a Ranger hybrid some time this year. But other than that, it is slim pickings.

Spyder7 reports that the Triton PHEV will carry over powertrain tech from the Outlander PHEV.

This means the model could sport the same 2.4-litre petrol four cylinder paired to dual electric motors and a 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This powertrain is rated for 185kW/400Nm outright in the Outlander PHEV, with a claimed pure electric range of 84km.

The powertrain is likely to receive some tweaks in order to improve its towing abilities. The Outlander PHEV is rated to tow up to 1600kg braked, well short of the 3500kg industry standard expected in the ute class.

Admittedly, some of this deficit likely links to the Outlander’s unibody platform and softer suspension.

With the next-generation Mitsubishi Triton set to share platforms with the Nissan Navara, it’s possible that both brands will be able to boast about having a plug-in hybrid in their line-up.

This is not the first time that the Triton has been linked to some form of electrification. At an Australian media round table event last September, Mitsubishi senior manager of product strategy Owen Thomson said that giving the Triton an electrified powertrain has always been part of the plan.

“It’s certainly been from day one that consideration of electrification has been in the Triton plan,” he said.

“If you look at the ute market generally it’s clear that at some time during this decade there is going to be all sorts of forms of electrification of utes. It’s just a matter of what form that will take and when it happens in the market.”

“There are certain different user groups that can take advantage of it, but for other user groups it may well be a disadvantage,” he added.

“Personally, I can’t see a petrol PHEV ute working for remote users on mining sites, city-based users, a petrol PHEV ute is probably a good thing for them.

“This is the challenge for the ute market. There’s such a diverse range of buyers and needs, that it’s quite difficult sometimes to navigate your way through this.”