Mitsubishi Pickup Trucks

As part of their updated "Small but Beautiful" midterm plan, Mitsubishi Motors is doing a lot of things to bring back the brand’s "Mitsubishi Motors-ness". The revival of Ralliart is one of them, but oh boy you’ll be disappointed on how this famed motorsport sub-brand made its comeback.

When you’re in the market for a new car, a Mitsubishi vehicle is not generally your first choice. However, it does not mean that the Japanese brand is not doing well here in the States. In fact, Mitsubishi actually outsold Land Rover, Mini, and Volvo in 2018. Maybe it is some kind of sorcery, or Mitsubishi has sprayed some sort of invisible ink, we don’t know, but the Japanese giant has managed to move 118,074 cars in 2018 - all of it without socializing at auto-show gatherings or sponsoring many events. But, this is not the case in the U.K. The company is doing pretty well there and even sells a pickup truck called the L200. Mitsubishi has been producing the L200 pickup truck since 1978; under different monikers, though. The company has launched the sixth-generation now and it looks like a well-rounded package. Will the L200 Series 6 be able to hold its “fort(e)” in the highly competitive market?

Introduced at the Bangkok Motor Show, the Mitsubishi Triton Absolute Concept truck is a proposed rugged and performance-orientated off-roader equipped with beefed-up fenders, 2-inches of extra ground clearance, and many off-road worthy additions. Although only a concept, the Triton Absolute gives us a glimpse into what may well become the competitor to the trucks like the Ford Ranger Raptor or the Toyota Hilux Rugged X. While the fate of its production rests in the hands of the interested public, the Triton (L200) Absolute may present the starting point for development of the sporty, hardened version of the next generation Triton. The name Absolute evokes clear notes of enthusiasm and playfulness that characterizes all modern off-road-centric trucks. Unfortunately, even if it reaches production, the Mitsubishi Triton Absolute will not be available in the U.S.

Mitsubishi has been a silent spectator all this while. It’s almost like the Japanese automaker is happy in its own shell, least bothered about what’s going on around it. However, it decided to make a little sound now. Mitsubishi has released the first teaser image of the facelifted Triton, while at the same time commemorating its 40th anniversary in truck manufacturing.

Introduced all the way back in 1978, the Mitsubishi L200 is now in its fifth-generation, having been redesigned most recently in 2015. Although anonymous in the U.S. beyond the Ram models based on it back in the 1980s, the L200 is a popular truck in emerging markets from Asia and posts good sales in some European markets too. The current L200 is also the basis of the Fiat Fullback, Italy’s first big truck in years. The L200’s increasing success in Europe prompted Mitsubishi to create a limited-edition version through its Special Vehicle Project (SVP) division.

Based on the Barbarian Double Cab trim and dubbed SVP II, this limited-edition truck builds on the success of the first SVP version, launched in 2017. Much like its predecessor, it gains extra standard features in the tech department, but it also stands out from the crowd thanks to special color schemes with striking accents. The bad news, beyond the fact that the L200 is not available in the United States, is that the SVP II can’t be purchased outside the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, let’s find out more about this truck.

Continue reading to learn more about the Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian SVP II.

Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini, and Mitsubishi. These automakers and a whole bunch of others have something in common that extend beyond building products with four wheels on them. These companies have their own personalization departments. In the case of Mitsubishi, its back-room variety division is called the Special Vehicle Projects (SVP). It’s responsible for a number of custom Mitsubishis, including its newest creation, the Barbarian SVP II. Don’t feel bad if you didn’t know Mitsubishi had a personalization division. Most of us were none the wiser.

Mitsubishi’s Triton pickup has been around a while, with its last update in 2015. Now the automaker has brought some action to the workhorse pickup thanks to a concept called the Geoseek. Based on the L200 Triton truck, the Geoseek concept sports new looks thanks to a bespoke paint job, a roof rack, and a custom interior.

Mitsubishi didn’t have mush to say in its press release for the L200 Geoseek’s 2016 Geneva Motor Show launch, but there’s still plenty to look at. What the automaker did say was the Geoseek Concept is designed to express the outdoor adventurous side of the truck with tough-looking accessories geared towards outdoor enthusiasts.

Beyond the fancy paintwork and updated grille, the L200 is a standard production truck. The L200 has a total of three engine options, but Mitsubishi didn’t bother to specify which powers this model. Likewise, the truck can be had in either 2WD or 4WD, though we suspect this “adventurous” model is fitted with a transfer case.

It’s unclear if Mitsubishi will release a production version of this concept, making it an option package atop the standard L200. If it did, only the folks in Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America would possibly have access to it.

Continue reading to learn more about the Mitsubishi L200 Geoseek Concept.

We’ve seen this stunt before – an unsuspecting person rides shotgun with what appears to be a bumbling idiot or ignorant girl, only to be taken for the ride of their life. That’s exactly what happens here in this Mitsubishi bit. It’s still no less exciting.

The star is Leona Chin, a pro driver from Malaysia. Chin poses as a saleswoman in a Mitsubishi dealership trying to answer questions about the new Triton pickup truck. The reaction from her male customers is rather hilarious, ranging from the classic “What’s a pretty girl like you doing here?” to a more chauvinistic, “This is a man’s truck, let me drive.”

I won’t ruin all the video’s surprises and fun, but know that Chin does a great job of showing these dudes how to handle a truck. Chin shows impressive skill in getting the top-heavy and moderately powered Triton truck sideways on dry pavement. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Every fall, dozens of journalists from all over Texas and around the country gather to compare, test, and crown the winner of the “Truck of Texas” competition. It’s a coveted award from the Texas Auto Writers Association that signifies Texas’ collective approval of a truck. And not only are trucks involved, awards go out for the SUV and CUV of Texas.

I already touched on the topic in the preview piece, but awards are also given to the winner in each vehicle category and for various things like “best connectivity” and “best powertrain.”

This year’s competition was fierce. There were 84 vehicles present from 21 automakers entered into 17 different categories. Evaluating the field were 69 TAWA members comprised of journalists and social media influencers.

So let’s get down to the results. Keep reading for the full breakdown.

Continue reading for the results of the 2015 TAWA Truck Rodeo

Mitsubishi has been making its pickup truck since 1978, though it wasn’t called the Triton until the truck’s second generation came along in 1987. That first generation truck was even sold inside the U.S. as a badge-engineered Dodge called the Ram 50. It competed against the likes of the Ford Courier and Chevrolet LUV. Though the story of the U.S-sold trucks continues on, the Triton moved onward in the global market. The second generation lasted from 1987 through 1996 and was styled much like the Toyota Hilux. In the latter parts of 1996, the third generation Triton came out and lasted through 2004. Lastly, the forth-generation Triton debuted for the 2006 model year and was rather stylized by comparison to its predecessors.

Now for 2015, Mitsubishi is bringing out the fifth-generation of Triton trucks — one that boasts a more car-like interior and more truck-like capabilities. Two turbo-diesel options and a gasoline engine are available A new six-speed manual transmission is now offered, along with a five-speed automatic.

It’s new interior promises more creature comforts with things like a touchscreen infotainment system, a driver’s information screen in the gauge cluster, and much more sound deadening than before.

Though the Triton will never make it to the U.S., the Triton will makes its way into Australia, Thailand, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Latin American, and other countries in the ASEAN Oceania region.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Mitsubishi Triton.

I’ve already given the introduction to how much Texans love their trucks and how every year the Texas Auto Writers Association gathers to crown the winner; the coveted “Truck of Texas” award. Now let’s get down to some results.

Besides the main award, there were 17 other categories that each of the 75 vehicles fell into. These consisted of titles like “Midsized Crossover Utility Vehicles” and “Luxury Pickup Trucks.” Awards were also given for best connectivity, best powertrain, and best technology.

Each vehicle was subjected to a battery of tests that measured its ability to perform its intended function, whether that be towing, going off road, surrounding its occupants in luxury, or proving a great all-round family hauler. The vehicles were all competing within their respective category for the win.

So which truck, SUV, or crossover took home the Truck of Texas award? Continue reading to find out.

Not much goes together quite like Texas and trucks. It’s the U.S.’ largest truck market by a long shot and it’s plain to see as you peruse any given parking lot. Texans love their trucks. That’s why the Texas Auto Writers Association crowns a Truck of Texas winner every year after an extensive evaluation process.

As a member of TAWA, I spent the better part of a week in the dusty hills outside San Antonio testing 75 contenders vying for the prized top spot. Eighteen automakers from around the world were in attendance, the majority bringing more than a handful of vehicles.

Ground zero for testing was the famed Knibbe Ranch, with hundreds of acres of sprawling across the Lonestar state. Muddy creek crossings and rocky hill climbs, combined with twisty country roads and newly paved highways provided the test beds. Those trucks, SUVs and crossovers brave enough to tackle the off-road section were subjected to rock-strewn dirt roads that punished suspension parts and underbody skidplates. More road-biased crossovers were thrown around narrow roads and up steep hills. The new pavement along the Texas highway was still covered in loose asphalt with orange caution cones proving a tempting (yet highly illegal) slalom course. Thankfully no one attempted that obstacle.

The 60 journalists judging the event had a huge decision to make. What truck, SUV or crossover would be crowned the Truck of Texas? Well, you’ll just have to stay tuned to find out. We’ll announce the top winner and the winners of sub-categories on Wednesday.

Click past the jump for a full photo gallery

Mitsubishi Motors UK has joined forces with England rugby captain Phil Vickery, and Raging Bull Limited, to launch a special edition L200 pick-up. Badged the L200 Raging Bull to tie in with Vickery’s exclusive performance clothing company, the new model comes with £2,000 worth of extras for free.

As it did in 2006, Mitsubishi’s L200 has been judged ‘Best Pick-up’ in this year’s Van Fleet World Honours. The award was presented at a special ceremony held at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall on Thursday 17 th May.
The Van Fleet World Honours are presented annually to van manufacturers and service companies who have, in the opinion of the judges, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.
Fighting off opposition from other makes such as Nissan, Toyota, Ford, (...)

According to a statement from Hyundai, they are considering developing and producing a pickup designed for the U.S. market, following the trade deal with the United States. "We will conduct a feasibility study (on the pickup model) as a long-term project, depending on the elimination of tariffs," Hyundai said.
The United States and South Korea on Monday, April 2, agreed to the biggest U.S. trade pact for 15 years, including tax and tariff cuts on cars.
The United States agreed to (...)

The Mitsubishi Motors display at the 2006 SEMA Show also features the Baja Raider, a competition version of the Raider truck campaigned by DXR (Desert Xtreme Racing). The Baja Raider will compete in the SCORE Stock Mini category at the Baja 1000 (November 16th), which closely regulates the modifications that can be made to this relatively showroom-stock class of off-road race truck.

Mitsubishi’s dramatically styled Raider mid-size pickup truck was introduced for 2006 and earned the Best in Class Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) for compact pickups from the renowned AutoPacific, Inc. industry consulting group. The model line has been streamlined for 2007, now offering one extended-cab model and three Double Cab models at launch. A V-8 SE Double Cab model will have late availability. The emphasis on four-door Double Cab models reflects Raider’s appeal as a multi-capable SUV alternative.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced the Japanese market launch of its Thailand built Triton urban sports pickup, priced at 2,940,000 yen including consumption tax and available from affiliated dealers throughout Japan. MMC started taking advance reservations on August 7 for the first 300 Tritons, and has already well received firm orders for 180 units. With the launch, further 300 units have been made available.