The Australian-developed chassis package for the 2026 Mitsubishi Triton Raider, unveiled earlier this month, could find its way beneath other models from the Japanese brand – most notably the upcoming Mitsubishi Pajero.
Earlier this year, Mitsubishi teased a new SUV based on the same ladder-frame underpinnings as the latest-generation Triton ute, which is also shared with the latest Nissan Navara, and it’s expected to be fitted with the Triton’s 150kW/470Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and six-speed automatic transmission.
Mitsubishi has since confirmed the SUV will bring with it the return of the Pajero badge for the first time since the previous version was axed in 2021, with the new flagship model to be unveiled by the end of 2026.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
With the arrival of the Triton Raider, which was developed in partnership with Melbourne-based engineering company Premcar, Mitsubishi Australia general manager of product strategy Bruce Hampel told CarExpert the chassis package could find its way under other vehicles, and that may include a tougher version of the born-again Pajero.
“We think there’s opportunity, and I guess this is testing the water here now and seeing if there is customer demand for these types of products,” Mr Hampel said.
“If there is, we can go further, right – there are other… Across the range, we can deploy the Raider concept on other nameplates, potentially.”
Mitsubishi’s local product strategy boss pointed to the Nissan Navara Warrior and Ford Ranger Tremor as key rivals for the new Triton Raider. Both have SUV stablemates in the form of the Patrol Warrior and the Ranger-based Everest Tremor.
The Premcar-developed Triton Raider features a unique suspension and steering setup including Monroe dampers and longer front springs, along with 18-inch ROH ‘Assault’ wheels with Bridgestone Dueler A/T 002 all-terrain tyres, increasing track width by 20mm and ride height by 25mm at the front and 15mm at the rear.
In targeting a new, more enthusiast-type customer for the brand, the Raider – a name that’s a nod to the ute’s success in rally raid off-road racing – could be the first in a broader range of more rugged model variants for both the Triton and beyond – including a potential rival for the Ford Ranger Raptor.
“We can also look to further enhance the Triton to a higher level again,” Mr Hampel said.
“This is where MMC [Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Japan] is watching us closely in terms of how successful this is – how does it resonate with the customer? That’s potentially something they can do in the future.”