Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Conducts Endurance Tests of the Triton Rally Car

Tokyo, July, 2022 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Motors) announced that Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, which will compete in the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) 2022 with Mitsubishi Motors' technical support, has conducted endurance tests of the Triton rally car on an off-road course in Thailand on June 27th and 28th, confirming that preparations for the rally are proceeding smoothly. 

Video of the testing: https://youtu.be/lIgH6KQDF_c

The endurance tests subjected the car to high loads comparable to those expected in the rally and focused mainly on the reliability and durability of the chassis and engine. To test the performance of the rally car in an environment similar to that of the actual course, the Team used a 10-kilometer course that combines a high-speed range, rough gravel road and a narrow, winding forest course.

"Since the Triton has a robust chassis frame and an excellent handling performance, we decided to reduce the vehicle weight at a minimum for the rally modification while leveraging its original strength as much as possible," said Hiroshi Masuoka, team director of Team Mitsubishi Ralliart. "Having covered more than 800 kilometers in two days, the rally car showed its great performance throughout the tough endurance tests as we expected, and now we are confident that our preparation is on the right track."

AXCR is a gruelling, week-long, 2,000-kilometer cross-country rally that races through the unique natural terrain of Southeast Asia. Normally held in August of each year, the rally was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the dates for the rally were pushed back to November 21st to 26th, and the course will be about 1,700 kilometres long, beginning in Buriram in the northeast of Thailand before crossing into Cambodia and ending at the World Heritage site of Angkor Wat.

Triton rally car overview

The Triton rally car is classified as a Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Group T1 rally car (prototype cross-country vehicle). Based on the Thailand-specification double-cab model, the car’s hood, front and rear doors, interior and other parts have been lightened, while the body has been strengthened with a roll cage and under guards. The dedicated rally car suspension provides superb handling characteristics, while the front and rear limited-slip differential (LSD), large-diameter off-road tires and lightweight alloy wheels dramatically improve handling on rough road surfaces. Tuning of the 2.4 L diesel turbo engine has focused on reducing friction loss and weight, and improving responsiveness in the mid-speed ranges frequently used in rallies. Some AXCR stages include river crossings, so water-proofing modifications have also been added, such as stronger sealing and an air-intake snorkel.

“The Triton rally car is ruggedly styled and able to perform in an extreme rally endurance environment. The car’s reliability and durability complement our brands long and successful motorsport history and goes hand in hand with our adventurous lifestyle focus,” explains Jeffrey Allison, General Manager: Marketing at Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA). 

 

Overall length	5,300 mm
Overall width	1,815 mm
Wheelbase	3,000 mm
Tread (front/rear)	1,520 mm / 1,515 mm
Engine	4N15 type 4-cylinder MIVEC turbo diesel
Fuel injector	High-pressure common-rail injection
Displacement	2,442 cc
Power (maximum)	133 kW
Torque (maximum)	430 Nm
Transmission	6-speed manual
4WD system	Super Select 4WD-II
Differential	CUSCO front and rear LSD
Front suspension	Independent double-wishbone with coil springs
Rear suspension	Rigid leaf springs
Shock absorbers	CUSCO adjustable front and rear dampers
Steering	Rack and pinion with power assist
Brakes	ENDLESS front and rear ventilated discs with 4-piston calipers
Wheels	WORK aluminium alloy wheels (17-inch x 8J)
Tires	Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 (265/70R17)
Others	Carbon fibre hood Carbon fibre front and rear door panels

 

Partner companies

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart participates in the AXCR 2022 with the support of the following eight partner companies (in alphabetical order)

 

Company	Support
CARROSSER Co., Ltd.	Supply of CUSCO front and rear suspension, and front and rear LSD
ENDLESS PROJECT Co., Ltd.	Supply of ENDLESS brake calipers, rotors and pads
ENEOS Corporation	Supply of diesel fuel, motor oil and other oils
Fortec Motorsport Ltd	Supply of racing coolant
HANKYU HANSHIN EXPRESS Co., Ltd.	Support for transportation of special rally parts to Thailand
HKS Co., Ltd.	Support for development of rally specification engine
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.	Supply of GEOLANDAR M/T G003 (mud terrain tires for pickup trucks)
Work Co., Ltd.	Supply of competition wheels

 

Rally overview

The 27th AXCR 2022 will begin on November 21st with a ceremonial start held in Buriram, in the northeast of Thailand near the Cambodian border. The competition begins the next day on the 22nd, with the first half of the rally centred on Buriram. The course then crosses the border into Cambodia on the 25th and finishes on the 26th at Siem Reap, home of the Angkor Wat World Heritage site. Covering approximately 1,700 kilometers, the course this year is expected to be as gruelling as ever, with a wide range of terrain such as mountains, jungle, muddy roads, river crossings, sand dunes and circuits that will demand vehicle handling and durability at a high level. The skills of drivers and teams alike will be put to the test by the complex terrain and unpredictable weather conditions that the wild nature of the route will present.