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Mitsubishi is ‘absolutely certain’ that a hybrid Triton will not appear in 2023.
Hybrid utes from the ‘big three’ manufacturers – Toyota, Ford and Mitsubishi – are still some way off, with 2025 looking like the year to roll as the implementation of the Clean Car Standard draws closer.
A recent story from the Newsroom claimed that Mitsubishi had advised the Police that a hybrid diesel Triton would not be available “until next year”. Considering Mitsubishi has yet to announce the next generation Triton, Things contacted the local arm for confirmation.
Reece Congdon, head of marketing and corporate affairs for Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand, said: “Honestly, I’m not sure where some of the comments featured in the Newsroom article came from. While we are working closely with our colleagues in Japan on the electrification of our range, I can say with absolute certainty that a PHEV Triton will not be available in 2023.”
Given
Rumor has it that the plug-in Triton could use a similar powertrain as the Outlander.
In fact, the next-generation Triton is still being kept under wraps until its debut, which is expected in 2023, possibly as early as 2024.
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Details are scarce, but comments from Mitsubishi Australia hint at the new ute eschewing a V6, unlike Ford’s latest Ranger and the upcoming Volkswagen Amarok, and including a plug-in hybrid powertrain that aped from the Outlander PHEV. It remains to be seen whether that will continue with the petrol engine or diesel.
Considering that the plug-in Triton is likely to be the range-topper (if, of course, those rumors are accurate), a local launch date around 2025 is a reasonable guess.
It also pays to mention the new Triton which will be the basis of the next Nissan Navara.
Meanwhile, Toyota CEO Neeraj Lala confirmed that Toyota wants to deliver fewer Hiluxes until a more sustainable alternative is available, which would also help ease supply issues.
Given
James Hardisty runs Stuff through the process of plugging a gas engine into an electric battery in a ute.
“We will deliver to customers or companies who really need a Hilux for a specific purpose. We have already been successful in converting large fleet owners to move their people from diesel utes towards hybrid SUVs.”
As of 2021, Lala said “we don’t have any plans for a battery electric Hilux in our line-up for the next 18 – 24 months,” which would put a fully electric ute from Toyota coming around 2024 at the earliest.
This week, Toyota announced a new CO2 reduction target of at least 46% compared to 2019 levels, based on the science behind the UN Paris Agreement’s 1.5C pathway. The reduction will also help the company achieve its goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050 and will be achieved “through a balanced portfolio of products.”
Richard Bosselman/Stuff
Ford won’t have an electrified Ranger in its line-up for several years.
Finally, Ford New Zealand said Things that there is “no news of an electrified Ranger for New Zealand”, which means it’s still a few years away.
Ford has been spotted testing what looks to be a plug-in hybrid Ranger for 2021, which will likely use a turbocharged 2.3-litre petrol four-cylinder with an electric motor to produce 270kW and 680Nm of torque. However, we haven’t seen anything on that front since then.
An all-electric model may also be in the works, which could ride on a scaled-down version of the F-150 Lightning platform. In any case, Ford has previously confirmed its global commercial range – which includes the Ranger – will be “zero-emissions capable” by 2024.
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