Mitsubishi brought a radical new pickup concept to the Geneva Motor Show that previewed the next gen Triton.
Called as the GR-HEV (Grand Runner Hybrid Electric Vehicle), the concept will be the source of inspiration for the next generation one tonne Triton pickup and eventually to its SUV brother, the Pajero. The Triton competes with the likes of the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and the Isuzu D-Max, while the Pajero Sport is hunting down the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and the Isuzu MU-7 in many Asian markets.
The next generation Triton pickup is expected to surface sometime in 2014 and the Pajero SUV would follow a little later. The Japanese automaker says that the next gen Triton (and hence the new Pajero) would retain the ladder frame chassis but would feature significant improvements.
The current generation Mitsubishi Pajero scored 4 stars at the NCAP crash tests and this time the company aims at improving the SUV's safety credential by making it competent for the full 5 stars. In addition features like adaptive cruise control and anti collision would be included in the next gen Triton and Pajero. Works are on to improve the refinement and driving manners of the platform.
The GR-HEV is equipped with a 2.5-litre diesel engine coupled to a hybrid module which results in a CO2 output of just 149 g/km. However, Mitsubishi say that the hybrid drive won't be available at the time of launch and is only for 2018 or so when the new Triton is half way through its lifecycle, and is in need of a change.
Mitsubishi India has decided to focus completely on SUV's and it is the Pajero Sport which spearheads sales. That means the next gen Pajero could make its Indian entry without any ado following the international debut expected to unfold in 2015.
[Source: Caradvice.com]
