Next-Gen Mitsubishi Triton Vying For Rally Win Ahead Of Its Debut

This is the next generation Mitsubishi Triton Group T1 prototype that competes in the AXCR 2023 next month.

Set for a global debut in Thailand later this month, anticipation for the new generation Mitsubishi Triton pick-up truck is at an all-time high indeed. Ahead of said reveal, Mitsubishi will also prove the model’s prowess by entering several prototypes in this year’s Asia Cross Country Rally 2023 (AXCR 2023) event.

Spearheading this is the Team Mitsubishi Ralliart works effort – the same outfit that charted a victorious debut in last year’s AXCR event using the outgoing Triton. It will again be helmed by two-time consecutive Dakar Rally ace Hiroshi Masuoka, alongside Katsuhiko Taguchi, as well as returning drivers Chayapon Yotha of Thailand and Rifat Sungkar of Indonesia.

Having charted overall victory in AXCR 2022 with the outgoing Triton, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart seeks to chart another victory using at AXCR 2023 this year with the Mitsubishi Triton Group T1 prototype.

This year, the Ralliart team is pining for a second AXCR victory using the Mitsubishi Triton Group T1 prototype cross-country vehicles. These are all-new trucks with completely new and redesigned bodies, frame, chassis, and powertrain. Much of these will also reflect in the new production-bound version, which debuts in Thailand on July 26.

These vehicles already proved their reliability and durability via a gruelling endurance test prior, and adjustments were done in preparation for the actual competition. "Based on the original strength of the all-new Triton, the handling performance, stability on rough roads, and ride comfort are further improved as a rally competition car," says lead driver Masuoka.

Held at the peak of th Thai

Held during the peak of the Thai rainy season, muddy conditions borne out of which are expected to be more severe this year in AXCR 2023.

The 2023 edition of the AXCR challenge begins with a ceremonial start event on Aug 13 in Pattaya, Thailand. The rally officially kicks off the following day as vehicles race eastwards parallel with the Thai-Cambodia border to enter Laos on Aug 17 before concluding on Aug 19. The rally is divvied up into a total of six legs covering roughly 2,000 KM, and it includes over 1,000 KM in special stages too.

Notably, AXCR 2023 is being held in August, which is widely known to be the peak of the rainy season in Thailand. The muddy conditions stemming from which are expected to be even more severe than last year’s running, adding yet another challenge on top of the variety of terrains, thick and mountainous forests, and river crossings that await competitors.