Mitsubishi has turned to Premcar – the company behind the Nissan Navara and Patrol Warriors – to develop Australia's next locally-modified ute model, with the Triton Raider due next month.
Mitsubishi has turned to the firm behind the Nissan Navara Warrior and Patrol Warrior models to develop Australia's next second-stage modified ute.
The 2026 Mitsubishi Triton Raider is due to arrive in Australia in late May as a new flagship grade, with enhancements completed in Melbourne by Premcar, the company that teamed up with Nissan Australia for its Warrior models, and formerly behind Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV).
Based on the Model Year 2026 (MY26) Triton GSR four-wheel-drive dual-cab pick-up, the Raider focuses on enhancements "where it matters most," Mitsubishi Australia told media.
Australian pricing has yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to be several thousand dollars dearer than the GSR, which is listed at $65,590 before on-road costs following a recent $1000 price increase.
Suspension changes are the most significant revisions to the Triton Raider compared with the GSR, including a new front and rear damper package claimed to improve ride comfort and vehicle control.
Differences include an internal rebound spring within the front dampers to maximise suspension control, a unique front spring and jounce bumper (bump stop), and "improved wheel control on a wide variety of surfaces".
Around 7000km of outback testing has been carried out since the Triton Raider project commenced around 18 months ago, Mitsubishi Australia said.
Premcar was also involved in engineering a localised suspension setup for the Triton's near-identical 2026 Nissan Navara twin, including the addition of an internal rebound spring within the front dampers, fitted across the Navara range.
The company says the Mitsubishi Triton Raider and Nissan Navara programs were completely distinct, with a Mitsubishi-specific internal rebound spring and a unique valve code for the Raider.
"[It was a] completely separate project," Premcar CEO and Engineering Director Bernie Quinn said.
However, Mitsubishi Australia product strategy manager Bruce Hampel said Premcar's existing work with Nissan made it an ideal partner, as there is a similar culture and quality expectations, and they form two of the car brands in the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.
"The fact that Premcar had already convinced Nissan that they meet the requirements, it was easy for us to go in as Mitsubishi and convince ourselves that they have the appropriate levels of quality and engagement," Hampel said.
"These programs are done by Mitsubishi [Australia] and Nissan Australia independently. There's no discussion, no collaboration at all.
"In a way, it's coincidental that we've both ended up at the same supplier, but they're good reasons why it made sense as well."
Bridgestone Dueler A/T 002 tyres were chosen for the Raider after assessment of four tyre brands across 20 attributes, along with Australian-designed ROH Assault 18-inch alloy wheels with a bespoke brushed bronze finish and 'Raider' hub caps.
A 25-millimetre front (15mm from tyre and 10mm from spring) and 15-millimetre rear height increase applies to the Raider, plus a 20-millimetre track width increase.
Design changes include side decals in brushed bronze and Raider badging on the tailgate, front headrests and centre console, along with a black front grille – rather than the GSR's body-coloured grille – and a unique front bumper design new to the Australian market.
Hampel said Mitsubishi Australia made the Raider's decal package "deliberately understated" as its "research showed that Australian customers didn't like big, glary decals on the vehicle".
Mitsubishi Australia has also modified some of its genuine accessory designs for the Raider, with unique side protection bars, a sports bar and underbody protection fitted as standard, as well as a chrome grille emblem.
As it is based on the GSR, the Raider also inherits the 2026 model's Yamaha Performance Dampers fitted at the front and rear of the chassis to improve body control over bumps and steering response, and reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
The 2026 Triton GSR and Raider also gain the Mitsubishi Connect telematics service, adding a factory-fitted Telstra 4G mobile data connection for emergency SOS calls, stolen vehicle tracking, and curfew, geofence and overspeed alerts.
Mitsubishi's five-year/100,000km warranty, which extends to 10 years/200,000km when the car is serviced through the brand's dealer network, has been maintained for the Triton Raider, along with 10 years of capped-price servicing and 10 years of roadside assistance.
It will be offered in White Diamond, Black Mica, Blade Silver and Graphite Grey, with Yamabuki Orange remaining exclusive to the GSR.
The 2026 Mitsubishi Triton Raider is expected to arrive in Australian showrooms in late May, with expressions of interest now open ahead of a pricing announcement due in the coming weeks.
2026 Mitsubishi Triton Raider adds (over GSR dual-cab pick-up):
Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
