The new-gen Mitsubishi Triton isn’t out yet and already the company is talking about potential changes that could come with an update.
The company says that while it’s launching its new Triton with rear drum brakes, it wants to eventually offer rear discs. It has also flagged the potential introduction of a digital instrument cluster.
Speaking to Australian media, Mitsubishi’s chief product specialist Yoshiki Masuda said: “In order to be compatible with some more ADAS (advanced driver-assistance systems) and auto parking [technology], we want to have a rear [disc] brake, and there is always performance [factors] as well.”
He then went on to say that such an upgrade could occur during the new-gen Triton’s lifecycle.
“Maybe sometime [with a future] upgrade, a minor model change, we would like to consider discs,” he said.
The current-generation Triton has been around for nine years, meaning a mid-cycle update for the next-generation Triton could be as far as 4-5 years away.
The next-generation Triton will retain rear drums despite its body being between 5-10 per cent heavier than that of the outgoing model, and despite rear discs becoming widespread in the ute segment.
The Toyota HiLux, Nissan Navara, Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50 stick with rear drum brakes but other rivals like the GWM Ute and LDV T60 come standard with rear discs, while Ford and Volkswagen’s new-generation utes offer them on selected models.
The Triton could additionally follow rivals like the Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok in adopting a digital instrument cluster.
“For now, we have a [7.0-inch] LCD meter… you know, maybe at some point at an upgrade, we have a full LCD [digital instrument cluster],” said Masuda-san.
Mitsubishi uses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in its Outlander.
Triton 
Outlander
Masuda-san told Australian media the new Triton has been a Mitsubishi-only project and relied minimally on the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi alliance during development.
“It’s a Mitsubishi engine, a Mitsubishi frame, Mitsubishi development… the Alliance conversation, we had some information exchange,” he said.
It’s unclear when exactly the next-generation Nissan Navara will debut and if it will adopt rear disc brakes or keep its current drum brakes.
MORE: Everything Mitsubishi Triton
