Ever since the Mitsubishi Triton hit South African shores back in 2007, the range has been missing one vital staff member - a proper workhorse. Not a good move considering that single cabs make up about 30 percent of the bakkie market.
It might have taken five years - and a switch from Daimler to Imperial representation - but the single cab workhorse model is finally here to do the dirty work while the double and club cab models continue with their leisure pursuits.
But unlike its Colt predecessor, the Triton single cab hasn't been saddled with a smaller powerplant - instead buyers get to choose between two of the existing engines.
For the budget conscious, there's a 2.4-litre petrol engine with 97kW on tap at 5250rpm and 202Nm at 4000rpm and Mitsubishi's 2.5-litre turbodiesel is also on offer for those seeking better cruising and load-lugging ability. The oil burner is good for 100kW at 4000rpm and 314Nm at 2000rpm. Both engines are mated to a five speed manual gearbox.
SO HOW'S THE WORKOAD?
According to Mitsubishi, all three models have a payload of exactly 1-tonne and a towing capacity of 1200kg. If we're to get really technical here, the loadbox measures 2.22 metres in length, 1.47m in width and 405mm in height.
If you're going the petrol route, there are two specification levels to choose between, GL and GLX, while diesel buyers can only opt for the latter.
Unlike most rivals, Mitsubishi actually has the decency to offer ABS brakes as standard in the base model - and this really is a critical safety feature in a rear-wheel drive, leaf-sprung bakkie. Another pleasant surprise is that dual airbags are also part of the standard fare.
While a height-adjustable power-assisted steering system is fitted across the board, GL customers will have to live without things like air conditioning, electric windows and central locking, but you can get all of this in the GLX for just R10 000 more. The diesel GLX also has a diff lock.
BENCH & VINYL
None of the derivatives are fitted with a radio, but they do have two speakers fitted in preparation for your aftermarket unit, and the cabin trim is very workmanlike - you get a 60:40-split three-person bench seat covered in vinyl and there's no carpeting to speak of because… well, that's for sissies.
Although there are 49 Mitsubishi dealers around the country, the aftermarket deal doesn't seem quite as competitive as that of its rivals. The warranty is valid for just three years or 100 000km and the service plan, though for five years, covers just 75 000km in the case of the petrol and 70 000 for the diesel. The latter has 10 000km service intervals and the former 15 000km.
Pricing is rather competitive though.
INVOICE:
2.4 GL - R179 900
2.4 GLX - R189 900
2.5 DI-D GLX - R239 900