Mitsubishi Triton

Mitsubishi Triton

Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Motors Mercedes-Benz (South Africa)
Also called	Mitsubishi Forte Mitsubishi Mighty Max Mitsubishi Strada Dodge Ram 50 Plymouth Arrow Truck
Production	1978–present
Class	Compact pickup truck
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive

The Mitsubishi Triton is a compact pickup truck produced by Mitsubishi Motors. It was originally known as the Mitsubishi Forte in Japan from 1978 to 1986, when the name was discontinued as the pickup was not sold in its home market for a while. It returned to Japan in 1991 as the Strada. In the United States two captive imports of the Forte were sold by the Chrysler Corporation from 1979, as the Dodge Ram 50 and Plymouth Arrow Truck. Mitsubishi itself imported it as the Mighty Max when it began selling directly in the U.S. from 1982 to 1996, at which point the Plymouth ceased to be available. In North America, after the Mighty Max was no longer offered, the Mitsubishi Raider was offered, sharing a platform with the Dodge Dakota. In Japan, it was sold at a specific retail chain called Car Plaza.

For most export markets the name L200 is used, though it also been known as the Rodeo, Colt, Storm, Magnum, L200 Strakar (badge used in Portugal since 1999, Strakar is a portmanteau of Strada and Dakar), and others.

Cumulative sales of the first three generations exceeded 2.8 million units around the world.

First generation (1978–1986)

First generation

Also called	Mitsubishi Forte Mitsubishi L200 Mitsubishi Mighty Max (1982–1986) Dodge D50 (1979–1980) Dodge Ram 50 (1981–1986) Plymouth Arrow Truck (1979–1982)
Production	1978–1986
Assembly	Japan: Okazaki, Aichi
Body style(s)	2-door pickup
Engine(s)	1.6 L G32B I4 2.0 L 4G52 I4 2.0 L G63B I4 2.6 L 4G54 I4 2.3 L 4D55 D/TD I4
Transmission(s)	4-speed manual 5-speed KM132/KM145 manual
Wheelbase	2,780 mm (109.4 in) 2,790 mm (110 in) (4WD)
Length	4,690 mm (184.6 in)
Width	1,650 mm (65.0 in)
Height	1,560–1,645 mm (61–65 in)

The first generation model of Mitsubishi's compact pickup truck was first sold in Japan as the Mitsubishi Forte in 1978 and continued until late 1986, when the line was cancelled in the Japanese domestic market for five years. In Japan the Forte was sold with a 86 PS (63 kW) 1.6 litre G32B engine and two-wheel drive (LO25) or with four-wheel drive coupled to the 2 liter Sirius G63B with 110 PS (81 kW) (LO26). Offered in basic Deluxe trim, the larger-engined version was also available in leisure-oriented Custom trim. The Custom also has a smoother and less utilitarian bed, without provisions for fitting a canvas top and with fewer hardpoints for strapping down loads.

In export versions, the 2 liter gasoline version has 93 hp (69 kW) (88 PS DIN), while a larger 2.6 liter unit offered 105 hp (78 kW). Also popular in many markets, and frugal, was a 67 PS (49 kW) 2.3 liter diesel engine. The 73 PS (54 kW) 1.6 litre Saturn engine rounded out the lineup downwards in many countries. A naked cab and chassis version was also available in some markets.

The Dodge Ram 50 (called the D50 for 1979 and 1980) was a badge-engineered version sold by the Chrysler Corporation from 1979 on. The label lasted until 1993, through two generations of the truck. Plymouth also received a version of the truck known as the Arrow Truck, sold from 1979 to 1982. This was Chrysler's belated answer to the Ford Courier from Mazda and the Chevrolet LUV by Isuzu. Mitsubishi itself imported it as the Mitsubishi Mighty Max when it began selling directly in the U.S. from 1982, at which point the Plymouth ceased to be available. The Dodge version has twin rectangular headlights, while Mitsubishis had single units in North America. In the rest of the world, importers could choose between single or double rectangular units, as well as twin round headlights.

Four wheel drive was added for 1982. This created the Power Ram 50 in the US, as in Dodge's nomenclature the "Power Ram" name was used for four wheel drive models. A turbodiesel engine was available in US models between 1983 and 1985. The 1983 turbodiesel was fitted with a TC05 non-wastegated turbo and produced 80 hp (60 kW) and 125 lb·ft (169 N·m) torque. The 1984–85 turbodiesels were fitted with a TD04 wastegated turbo which resulted in 86 hp (64 kW) and 134 lb·ft (182 N·m) torque.

1983 Dodge Ram 50

Second generation (1987–1996)

Second generation

Also called	Dodge Ram 50 (1987–1993) Mitsubishi Colt (South Africa) Mitsubishi L200 Mitsubishi Mighty Max Mitsubishi Strada
Production	1987–1996
Assembly	Japan: Okazaki, Aichi Philippines: Cainta, Rizal
Body style(s)	2-door pickup
Engine(s)	2.0 L G63B I4 2.4 L 4G64 I4 2.6 L 4G54 I4 2.5 L 4D56 diesel I4 2.5 L 4D56 TD I4 3.0 L 6G72 V6 (4WD)
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	Short Bed: 2,680 mm (105.5 in) Long Bed/Ext. Cab: 2,950 mm (116.1 in)
Length	Short Bed: 177.2 in (4,501 mm) Long Bed/Ext. Cab: 193.7 in (4,920 mm) Ext. Cab: 188.2 in (4,780 mm)
Width	1,655 mm (65.2 in) Mighty Max 4WD: 65.9 in (1,674 mm) Mighty Max Sport Cab 4WD: 66.4 in (1,687 mm)
Height	Short Bed: 58.5 in (1,486 mm) Long Bed/Ext. Cab: 59.3 in (1,506 mm) 1991–93 Ext. Cab: 59.7 in (1,516 mm) 1987–1990 Ext. Cab: 59.6 in (1,514 mm) 1991–93 Long Bed/Ext. Cab 4WD: 64.4 in (1,636 mm) 1989–1990: 58.3 in (1,481 mm)
Curb weight	1,220–1,435 kg (2,690–3,164 lb)

1992 Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Crew Cab (Chile)

Mitsubishi L200 (Europe)

Dodge Ram 50 (US)

The second generation model was introduced in 1987 for most markets. In Japan the pickups were not sold for a few years, making their return as the Strada in Japan in June 1991. It continued to be produced until 1996. The car usually has a 68 hp (51 kW) 2.5 liter diesel or a 84 PS (62 kW) turbodiesel engine. The diesel-engined L200 was not a spirited performer, with a four-wheel drive diesel having a top speed of 126 km/h (78.1 mph). The second generation Mitsubishi truck was also produced in Thailand. In the US it was known as the Mitsubishi Mighty Max or the Dodge Ram 50. Gasoline engines include a carburetted 92 hp (69 kW) 2.0 liter inline-four or a 2.6-liter ditto with 109 hp (81 kW). Four-wheel drive was also available, as were different bed lengths and both extended and double cab options.

The Ram 50 was redesigned for 1987, which was the same year Chrysler introduced the Ram 50's successor, the Dodge Dakota. Despite this, sales of the Ram 50 continued for another seven years until 1993, possibly because the Ram 50 was a compact and the Dakota was a mid-size. The difference in size and cost left a niche for the Dodge 50, and its cancellation may have been due more to a desire to show independence from Mitsubishi than because of any product overlap. The Mighty Max ended production after the 1996 model year.

Third generation (1996–2005)

Third generation

Also called	Mitsubishi Colt (South Africa) Mitsubishi L200 Mitsubishi Storm Mitsubishi Strada Mitsubishi Warrior Mitsubishi Magnum
Production	1996–2005
Assembly	Thailand: Laem Chabang Philippines: Cainta, Rizal
Body style(s)	2-door pickup 4-door pickup
Engine(s)	2.0 L 4G63 I4 2.4 L 4G64 I4 2.5 L 4D56 diesel I4 2.5 L 4D56 TD I4 2.8 L 4M40 diesel I4 2.8 L 4M40 TD I4 3.0 L 6G72 V6
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,950 mm (116.1 in)
Length	4,995 mm (196.7 in)
Width	1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1,585–1,710 mm (62.4–67.3 in)
Curb weight	1,295–1,700 kg (2,855–3,748 lb)
Related	Mitsubishi Challenger

Mitsubishi Triton GLX crew cab (MK; Australia)

2005 Mitsubishi L200 HPE Crew Cab (Argentina)

In 1996 a new generation model was introduced with 2.5 litre turbodiesel engines developing 103 hp. Other engine options include two sixteen-valve fuel injected petrol engines and a naturally aspirated diesel. The previous 2.6 litre unit was replaced with a new, considerably more powerful 2.4 liter engine with 145 hp (108 kW). The car participated in the Dakar Rally in 2005. Production ended in 2006. These were only built in Laem Chabang, Thailand, and were also exported back to Japan between 1997 and 1999. In late 2001 the third generation pickup underwent a facelift with new headlights and other changes.

Fourth generation (2005–present)

Fourth generation

Also called	Mitsubishi L200 Mitsubishi Strada Mitsubishi Warrior Mitsubishi Sportero
Production	2005–present
Assembly	Thailand: Laem Chabang Brazil: Catalão Philippines: Cainta, Rizal South Africa: East London, Eastern Cape
Body style(s)	2-door pickup 4-door pickup
Engine(s)	4M41 3.2 litre turbodiesel 4D56 2.5 litre 78hp 4D56 2.5 litre turbodiesel 142hp 4G64 2.4 litre I4 petrol 145hp 6G74 3.5 litre V6 petrol 194hp
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	3,000 mm (118.1 in)
Length	5,040 mm (198.4 in) FBB: 4,835 mm (190.4 in) Crew Cab: 5,115 mm (201.4 in)
Width	1,750 mm (68.9 in) Crew Cab: 1,800 mm (70.9 in)
Height	1,655 mm (65.2 in) Crew Cab: 1,775 mm (69.9 in) 4x4: 1,780 mm (70.1 in)
Related	Mitsubishi Challenger

Triton GLS Fastback 4-door

The fourth generation Triton was unveiled in 2005. Designed by Akinori Nakanishi, it is built exclusively by Mitsubishi's subsidiary in Thailand and is exported to 140 global markets. It is mostly known as L200 except for Japan and its subsidiary countries' markets. The car has a 2.5 litre turbodiesel engine developing 134 hp or 180 hp.

External links

• Mitsubishi Triton official Japanese website (in Japanese)

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Mitsubishi Triton