New Mitsubishi Triton MIVEC to see Borneo Safari 4X4 action

By CARSIFU | 25 October 2016


SHAH ALAM: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) is back in the Borneo Safari for the second consecutive year, but this time with the new Triton with Mivec turbodiesel engine, the first pick-up truck in Malaysia to offer an aluminium diesel engine.

The Borneo Safari needs no introduction to the world of adventure, having established a reputation over the past 26 years as one of the world’s toughest 4X4 expeditions.

This year’s edition flags off on Oct 30 at Sabah Tourism Board building at Jalan Gaya, Kota Kinabalu.

The eight-day hard-core adventure over 1,000km will test the capabilities and endurance of 4X4 vehicles in some of the most challenging and varied off-road terrains in the world.

MMM participated in last year’s event with a Triton VGT manual transmission which successfully complete the course.

Chin will be taking part in the offroad adventure.
Chin will be taking part in the offroad adventure.


This year, the company has entered four vehicles - two new Triton with Mivec turbodiesel VGT automatic transmission and two Triton VGT manual transmission.

MMM chief executive officer Tomoyuki Shinnishi said: “By using lightweight aluminium instead of a traditional cast iron material, the new engine is about 30kg lighter than before, while at the same time retaining the same level of reliability and robustness that all Mitsubishi 4X4s are known for.”

The new Triton will participate as a corporate vehicle and driven by Malaysian motorsport celebrity Leona Chin.

The other Triton units will also be driven by six members of the media who will be accompanied by experience 4X4 instructors.

There will also be an additional five Triton owners joining the convoy, bringing the total of Mitsubishi Triton vehicles participating in the Borneo Safari to nine!

“As a Triton owner, I am excited to take on the Borneo Safari in the new Triton. I have been working with Mitsubishi on several events, and the Triton has proved itself through many tough situations with the new and powerful Mivec turbodiesel engine," said Chin.

“Being a first timer into the Borneo Safari, I am really looking forward to this gruelling event and I am confident that the Triton will be able to conquer the Borneo Safari once again this year!” she added.

The engine performance of the aluminium engine has also been improved to 181PS and 430Nm of torque. With reduced kerb weight and increased power output, overall acceleration and driving performance of the new Triton has also been improved.

The Borneo Safari is an extremely tough event, taking the participants through various terrain challenges over eight days and seven nights. It is a challenge for the vehicles as well as the human participants.

The participating Triton is being outfitted with the compulsory equipment such as winch, protection bars, recovery points, extreme tyres, suspension and snorkel. The tyres for the Triton are sponsored by tyre company, Giti Tire, Singaporean company with global operations.

Last year, the Triton completed the endurance test in one piece. The Triton was sent into the Borneo Safari almost as standard as how it left the showroom floor.
When the “as-stock-as-possible” Triton drove into the parking lot at Kota Kinabalu’s Hakka Hall for the closing dinner, all doubt was removed, as it has done its job.

After the Borneo Safari event last year, the purpose-built Triton has also completed several adventure drives in East Malaysia including the New Year 4X4 Jamboree event in Kuching and Bario, Sarawak as well as Kundasang, and the Tip of Borneo in Sabah with local 4X4 enthusiasts respectively.

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