Although the new generation 2024 Mitsubishi Triton made its global debut in Thailand earlier this year, Mitsubishi Motors has yet to put its highest specification Triton Athlete variant on sale. This is also why Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has yet to launch the 2024 Mitsubishi Triton here. Launching the company’s most important model without its most important, image-building Athlete variant would have been silly.

At the going Thailand International Motor Expo, Thai dealers have indicated that the range-topping 2024 Mitsubishi Triton Athlete 4WD variant will go on sale next year with an estimated price of around THB 1,300,000. That’s around 8 percent more expensive than before, setting a not-so-good tone for what’s to come in Malaysia.

Standard features include a 10-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, 7 airbags, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, a blind spot monitor with lane change assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree parking camera.

Mechanically, traction is aided by a brake-based active limited slip differential and the rally-bred Active Yaw Control. Both modulate the brakes on individual wheels for better acceleration in corners, across a variety of road conditions.

Power comes from a new 4N16 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine, which in the Athlete variant, makes 204 PS / 470 Nm, paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The Triton Athlete’s signature Super Select 4WD II comes with 7 selectable driving modes: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, or Rock. Where most trucks are part-time 4WD, the Triton Athlete’s drivetrain is closer to a full-time 4WD. Even with the 4x4 transmission set to 4H, it is still possible to drive the truck on wet tarmac as the centre differential is still left open (2H is still recommended for dry tarmac). This is not possible on regular part-time 4WD trucks. Meanwhile, the 4HLc mode works like any of the Triton’s competitor part-time 4WD trucks, with the centre differential locked at a 50:50 front:rear.

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia currently sells the outgoing generation Triton 4x4 from RM 109,000 for the base M/T variant, to RM 154,900 for the range-topping Athlete variant. There’s a low-rider 4x2 variant at RM 86,390.

If we were to apply the same approximate 9 percent increase to Malaysia, that would push the Malaysian market 2024 Mitsubishi Triton Athlete to around RM 167k. Clearly this is rather unrealistic as it would price the 2024 Triton Athlete out of competition. The Toyota Hilux Rogue 2.8 (204 PS / 500 Nm) is priced at RM 158,880, and the No.1 selling Hilux’s price serves as a ceiling for all rivals. So, we shall wait and see what Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s final price will be.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi dealers are now offering some pretty good deals for the outgoing generation Triton. Buyers can choose between 3 promotional packages, all with 2-year free service: cash rebates of up to RM 5,000, wheels upgrade for RM 900 plus another RM 1,000 cash rebate, or low 0.88% financing.