2023 Mitsubishi Triton spied testing

The next-generation 2023 Mitsubishi Triton has been spied with a production-ready body.

Our spy photography partners snapped these images during hot-weather testing in southern Europe.

The production-ready version seen here follows a previous, less-advanced sighting in January, with Mitsubishi placing the body of the current Triton over the top of a test vehicle wearing headlights from an older Mirage hatch.

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While the current Triton, facelifted in 2018, has combined the brand’s Dynamic Shield design language with the pre-facelift ute’s rounder shape, the new-generation version will feature a boxier design across the board.

At the front, the Triton will adopt a larger front grille, split-level headlights inspired by the latest Outlander, and a clamshell-style bonnet.

Rectangular wheel arches will carry over from the MR Triton, with the addition of a more-prominent shoulder line above.

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This shoulder line looks to end at the doors – at least in this test vehicle – suggesting a shared cabin design could be used with the next Navara.

The rear of the Triton will feature redesigned tail lights and a bulkier tailgate with an integrated brake lamp, as seen on the current model.

Little else is known about the specifications of the all-new ute, but it is expected to have a longer wheelbase and wider track than the current Triton, which is 5.21m long and 1.82m wide.

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However, we know it will share its underpinnings with the next-generation Nissan Navara, thanks to the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

Mitsubishi is believed to be the lead developer for the Alliance’s latest global mid-sized pickup trucks, although the pair’s interior and exterior styling are likely to differ.

Whether this differentiation will be as strong as the Mitsubishi Outlander and its twin-under-the-skin, the Nissan X-Trail, or just a light restyling remains to be seen.

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For instance, the Isuzu D-Max and Mazda BT-50 share most parts, while the upcoming Volkswagen Amarok shares its body with the latest Ford Ranger.

While the current Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara are unrelated, both vehicles date back to 2015, one year before Nissan upped its stake in the three-diamond brand to 34 per cent – allowing for greater control of the marque under Japanese law.

The 2023 Mitsubishi Triton is expected to be unveiled later this year or early 2023, ahead of a potential local launch in the second half of next year.

Below: The current 2022 Mitsubishi Triton

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