Triton Ralliart bakkie signals a historic return to racing for Mitsubishi
It has been a while since the Ralliart moniker has featured on a bespoke, off-roading Mitsubishi but the Triton Ralliart bakkie commences a new chapter. The post Triton Ralliart bakkie signals a historic return to racing for Mitsubishi appeared first on CAR Magazine.
It has been a while since the Ralliart moniker has featured on a bespoke, off-roading Mitsubishi but the Triton Ralliart bakkie starts a new chapter and makes us wish the Japanese automaker would bring their uprated rally spec models for the road to South Africa.
Image: Mitsubishi
Upon its first attempt on the rally stage, the latest Mitsubishi Triton Ralliart managed to clinch overall honours but don’t be fooled, the machine that challenged the 2022 Asian Cross Country Rally isn’t something available on showroom floors. 
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That is because it is classed as an FIA Group T1 rally car. This means it is not as extreme as the GR Hilux T1+ or Ranger T1+ that compete locally and at the Dakar in the case of Toyota but it also means that a fair bit of work has been completed to ensure it is capable of the unforgiving nature that is rallying.
Related: Triton Heritage Edition added to Mitsubishi lineup – pricing!
Under the surface, the 2,4-litre MIVEC diesel motor has been tuned somewhat, now delivering 133 kW and 430 N.m but that is all paired to lightweight body panels manufactured from carbon fibre. The more significant upgrades are centred around suspension and power delivery.
Image: Mitsubishi
Cusco adjustable front and rear dampers offer competition spec suspension while the model is equipped with a front and rear LSD from the same aftermarket manufacturer. Brakes have also been upgraded with 4-piston calipers and Endless ventilated disks all around. Cosily housing all of these are 17-inch Work aluminium alloys wrapped in knobbly Yokohama Geolander tyres.
To ensure driver safety, the Triton Ralliart also includes a roll cage while added bodywork underneath the body ensures the drivetrain is equally as protected.
More importantly, the Triton Ralliart signals a return for the historic rally division of Mitsubishi after great success in the World Rally Championship with its sedan in the 90s. The 27th Asia Cross Country Rally which traverses over 1 700 km between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Kingdom of Cambodia put the machine through many rigours including muddy swamps, beach sand, desert and tarmac.
The post Triton Ralliart bakkie signals a historic return to racing for Mitsubishi appeared first on CAR Magazine.
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