Mitsubishi Motors has just confirmed that a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain is coming to the all-new 2024 Mitsubishi Triton, but will not use its diesel engine.

Instead, the Japanese automaker said it would use a gasoline motor, as a diesel version would be too costly to manufacture. This was confirmed by a senior Mitsubishi Motors engineer to the media outlet Carsales Australia.

“Mitsubishi Motors are researching and developing such a [PHEV] system, but at this moment, launching time is not decided yet,” said Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Chief Technology Engineer EV/Powertrain Engineering Development Division Kaoru Sawase at the sidelines of the 2023 Japan Mobility Show.

A new generation of PHEV technology

However, Mitsubishi says that the PHEV system will be different from what is available in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

This is because the new system must fit the longitudinal and rear-wheel-drive configuration of the pickup truck. It will likely have e-axle technology that has been seen in other all-wheel drive and off-road SUVs.

“The Triton is a longitudinal powertrain design, and also, when comparing the Outlander and the Triton, the expected off-road capability level is pretty different,” Sawase said. 

“So basically, in order to have an off-road capable vehicle with the current PHEV technology in a Triton-type powertrain, a completely different type is needed, different from Outlander," he added.

No other details have been released by the Japanese brand regarding the PHEV powertrain’s horsepower and torque figures. In the meantime, a hybrid version of the Triton will be released to test out the waters for the electrification of the pickup truck.

It will also be a good litmus test for the market to see if they will respond well to these vehicles. 

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