Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, which receives technical support from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and represents the brand in competition, is ready for the 2026 Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) where it aims to collect a second consecutive overall win.
The event, to be held in Thailand in August, will cover around 2,000 kms over 6 days in the hot, humid climate and demanding terrain typical of Southeast Asia. Competitors will have to face steep mountainous terrain, narrow and rugged jungle trails, low to medium-speed rough roads with muddy tracks and river crossings caused by sudden downpours, as well as relatively flat, high-speed unpaved sections such as grasslands and farm tracks.
3-Triton team
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart will enter 3 Triton pick-up trucks and has successfully completed testing in May near the Khao Yai National Park in northeastern Thailand. Under conditions simulating the rally, the testing confirmed the intended performance of the improvements made to the Triton.
Drawing on its extensive experience in rallies and long-distance events like the Dakar Rally, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart has further unlocked the Triton’s potential and improved its dynamic performance so that drivers can tackle AXCR’s highly varied and severe conditions with greater control.
With adjustments to the vehicle layout, including the powertrain position, the engineers improved front-to-rear weight distribution. The suspension was also fine-tuned to increase tyre contact at all four wheels, improving steering stability and cornering performance. In addition, engine response in the low to mid-speed range has been refined to improve drivability and off-road capability.
Very tough on vehicles
“The AXCR, where vehicles must run at high speed over a diverse and gruelling course, the load imposed on the vehicle body by road impact is said to be, in some cases, more than 30 times greater than in normal customer driving!” said Hiroshi Masuoka, team director of Team Mitsubishi Ralliart.
“The technical information gained through our participation in the AXCR over the past 4 years has not only improved the competitiveness of our rallycars, but has also provided valuable insight for strengthening the appeal of our production vehicles,” he said.
Mr. Masuoka said that the learnings have been applied not only to the Triton but also to the all-new Pajero which will make its world premiere later this year. “Through vehicle development honed through rally activities, Mitsubishi Motors will continue to deliver distinctive and compelling products that reflect Mitsubishi Motors’ identity,” he said.
Find out more about the rally-winning Triton
AXCR victory celebrated with Championship Editions of Mitsubishi Triton
