Largely stock Mitsubishi Triton survives Borneo Safari

The Mitsubishi Triton is one of the more “lifestyle” pick-up trucks on sale, and is popular with urbanites thanks to the previous-gen model’s revolutionary styling that till then, was not seen in the market.

It’s probably not the first truck you’ll think off when it comes to hardcore off-roading, but Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) insists that their “pretty boy” is as capable off the beaten path as any truck, and has sent a new Triton into the jungle to prove itself. This is very important for the East Malaysian market, which expects trucks to be rugged and reliable.

No better proving ground than the Borneo Safari, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. MMM sent a standard Triton VGT with a 2.5 litre turbodiesel and five-speed manual gearbox for the hardcore 8D7N outing.

The stock truck was beefed up with minimum equipment mandated by the organisers such as a winch, snorkel and a set of GT Radial Komodo Extreme tyres (ordinary MT tyres not enough). Also in were a bull bar, rear metal bumper with recovery points and heavy-duty side steps cum sill protectors.

Piloting the truck were Paul Si from Kuching, a five-time veteran of the Borneo Safari, and Lionel Yew from Selangor, who has over a decade’s experience in 4WD adventures, including two Borneo Safaris.

“The all-new Triton can complete the tough trek in one piece with minor adjustments. Obviously, a car that is purpose built or modified for the task would perform better on the off-road track, but at the expense of on-road comfort and performance,” Si said, adding that there were multiple reports of overturned machines and more rollovers in this edition than in the past five years combined.

MMM’s Triton was not spared from the drama, enduring a cliffhanger moment that lasted over an hour as its two right-side wheels fell off the track. The truck teetered on the edge of a 50-metre ravine until teamwork and winches from three 4X4s pulled it back on track.

The team went in prepared for problems usually associated with modern vehicles with independent front suspension, carrying spare drive shafts and steering tie-rod ends but they were not needed. Even the rubber boots protecting the front drive shafts against mud and sand, usually shredded by the end of a Borneo Safari, remained in pristine condition, MMM says. Like a proud parent, the team welcomed the Triton home at Kota Kinabalu’s Hakka Hall for the closing dinner.

“We are very proud that the all-new Triton VGT MT has successfully completed the Borneo Safari. The event is known to be one of the world’s toughest 4X4 expeditions, hence we decided to rise up to the challenge and to conquer its trails,” said Yang Won-Chul, CEO of MMM.

GALLERY: Mitsubishi Triton VGT Adventure

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