Key highlights
- The Triton is confirmed to receive the second-generation 2.4-litre diesel used in the new Pajero.
- Output rises from 150kW/470Nm to 150kW/480Nm, with a new single-turbo setup.
- Australia is expected to receive the updated engine by July 2028 when stricter emissions rules apply.
The Mitsubishi Triton is set to receive a more efficient version of its 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine, with the updated unit already introduced in the new Pajero. Mitsubishi has confirmed the next-generation diesel is planned for the Triton, although the timing will depend on individual markets. For Australia, the change is expected to happen by July 2028, when tougher emissions requirements become mandatory for all new vehicles.
The current Triton uses the first-generation 4N16 2.4-litre diesel with a twin-turbocharger system. It produces 150kW and 470Nm. The new version switches to a single turbocharger while increasing torque to 480Nm. Maximum power remains 150kW, developed at 3500rpm. The revised engine is already used in the new-generation Mitsubishi Pajero, which was revealed in September 2026.
Read more: Mitsubishi Delica trademark filed in Australia
More torque from a simpler turbo setup
Despite moving from two turbochargers to one, Mitsubishi has increased the engine’s peak torque by 10Nm. The new diesel uses what Mitsubishi describes as a “wide-range single turbo”, designed to provide useful performance across a broader operating range than a conventional single-turbo system. Peak torque is available from 1750rpm to 2500rpm, compared with the current Triton’s wider 1500rpm to 2750rpm band.
That means the new engine does not simply add torque across the entire rev range. Instead, Mitsubishi has changed where the engine delivers its strongest pulling power while aiming for better efficiency. The Pajero’s version also complies with Euro 6d emissions requirements. The current Triton is certified to the less stringent Euro 6b standard. For Australian buyers, this distinction is important because the country’s emissions requirements are tightening. From July 2028, all new vehicles sold in Australia will need to meet the tougher standard.
What does it mean for the Australian Triton
Mitsubishi has not confirmed exactly when the updated engine will arrive in Australia, but the emissions deadline gives the Triton a clear timeframe. The current-generation Triton was introduced globally in 2023, meaning a mid-life update would also be due around this period based on the previous generation’s product cycle. A facelifted Triton could therefore arrive around 2028, potentially bringing the new diesel with it. This timing remains speculation rather than a confirmed Australian launch date.
There is also uncertainty around the transmission. The new Pajero pairs its diesel engine with an eight-speed automatic, while the current Triton uses a six-speed automatic. Mitsubishi has not confirmed whether the Triton will adopt the Pajero’s eight-speed gearbox. The previous Pajero Sport also used an eight-speed automatic that was not carried across to its Triton sibling.
Hybrid Triton also being considered
The updated diesel may not be the only major change planned for the Triton. Mitsubishi has previously indicated it is accelerating development of hybrid vehicles, including a “plug-less” hybrid system that could eventually be applied to the ute. The company has not provided a confirmed launch date or Australian specification for a hybrid Triton, so its arrival alongside the facelifted model remains uncertain.
For now, the confirmed direction is clearer on the diesel front. The Triton is set to move to the second-generation 4N16 engine, bringing 480Nm of torque and an updated emissions package as Mitsubishi prepares its ute for Australia’s stricter rules from July 2028.
Comments
New Comment