CHAMPION ATHLETE

All the cool bits come free

Mitsubishi’s eye-catching Triton 2.4DI-D double cab Athlete 4x4 auto arrives in this competition with more than just a little spring in its step – Best Bakkie 2018 is back for 2019 all dressed up in this über-cool Athlete kit that not only turned heads, but that’s usually followed by nods of approval.

Perhaps most important about all of this is that all that cool and sporty Athlete body styling kit, matching interior and specification levels comes all-in at the same price as the standard Triton Double-Cab 4x4 automatic derivative. Which means it if free – mahala, verniet, thank you very much. Not bad in a market where others are charging a couple of hundred grand for a badge…

Packing all that 7-airbag safety and a new 2.7 ton towing capacity to now bring Triton squarely in line on the only aspect it lacked before – and the good news is that applies across the range and not just to Athlete.

Other distinguishing features and safety over-and-above the standard Triton 4x4 are Dual Front Airbags, Side Airbags, Driver's Knee Airbag and Curtain Airbag, Isofix child seat anchors and black powder-coated diamond-cut 17” alloy wheel and in this particular car, that oh do cool orange and black look to finish the black mouldings on the front grille, bumpers and wheel arches.

Add orange and black interior trim and an armadillo load box cover to complete that super cool Athlete look.

Best of all is that under that lavish skin lurks the same Triton base that stole the Best Bakkie show last year – it’s still the quickest accelerating diesel double cab we have ever tested and also retains top economy and emissions.

Only this time it’s all dressed up with everywhere to go without any need for the sort of overkill so many ghastly aftermarket bakkie kits seem to be dragging onto road and trail – a fresh approach indeed…

BEST BAKKIE 2019 FINALIST: Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D DC Athlete 4x4 auto

Engine: 133kW 430Nm 2442cc turbo diesel I4

Drive: 5-speed automatic 4x4

Payload 3100kg

Braked Towing 1030kg

TESTED:

0-100km/h: 9.51 sec

400m: 16.7 sec @ 134km/h

80-120km/h: 6.69 sec

Fuel: 7.7 l/100km

CO2: 207g/km

Warranty/Service: 3y 100K/5y 90Kkm