Mitsubishi will bring forward the launch of the medium SUV Challenger and has “pre-launched” its 2010 update of the Triton utility as a result of the government tax incentives that have driven the sales of vehicle, especially those with a commercial application, well ahead of expectations.

The Japanese importer’s CEO, Rob McEniry, today said that the Triton range had sold so strongly as a result of the Federal Government’s tax incentive program that the company was now out of a stock with the MY09 range.

He said that as a result the company had decided to “pre launch” the MY10 update of the Triton, which brings range of changes to the popular two- and four-wheel-drive utilities.

At the same time he revealed that Mitsubishi had decided to bring forward the launch of the Challenger medium SUV, which is based on the Triton underpinnings and drive-train, to the latter part of this year.

Mitsubishi had originally planned to launch the new Challenger, which was previously sold in Australia until 2006, in early 2010.

“We believe the challenger will benefit from the chance to take advantage of the Government’s 50 percent tax deduction scheme so we’ve decided to bring it forward,” Mr McEniry said.

He said the vehicle, which would offer customers a full 4WD capability in a medium sized SUV, would be in dealers by early November to allow customers the opportunity of ordering it before the tax scheme ran out at the end of December.

Mr McEniry said the new Challenger would be built in Thailand.

Before that Mitsubishi will launch its MY10 revisions of the Triton utility range with the aim of overcoming supply shortages that developed as a result of the government’s tax incentive scheme.

“Triton is one of the mainstays of the Mitsubishi range and has always proved popular as a practical and rugged work vehicle that can take all the hard knocks thrown at it,” McEniry said.

“And, more recently, its recognised four-wheel drive capabilities and car-like comforts have seen it used for recreational activities as well.

“The result is that this car is in great demand – so much so that June sales were the highest monthly sales ever recorded for Triton in this country, and now our stocks are running low.

“In light of this, we have decided to release details of the new 2010 Triton early, to let prospective buyers know just what a great vehicle we have in store for them.”

The big news for the 2010 Triton range is the availability of a new, high-powered (HP) turbocharged diesel engine on four-wheel drive variants, which delivers the highest output and performance in this segment.

This 2.5-litre powerplant generates 131kW of power at 4000rpm and 400Nm of torque at 2000rpm, up 11 per cent and 17 per cent respectively over the previous 3.2-litre engine.

It also delivers combined fuel economy figures of 8.3 litres per 100 kilometres, a nine per cent improvement, when mated to a manual transmission.

Automatic variants generate a similar amount of power, 350Nm of torque, and achieve a combined fuel economy figure of 9.3L/100km.

The two-wheel drive 2010 Triton range retains the popular 2.4-litre petrol engine and 2.5-litre diesel engine from the current line-up.

Two automatic transmissions are available on HP diesel variants, the four-speed transmission carried over from the previous model sees smooth shifting as an option on all but the top-of-the-range Triton.

The GLX-R model receives an electronically controlled five-speed automatic with sports-mode, which provides operational improvement, performance improvement, and CO2 emission reduction.

Mitsubishi says many of its Triton vehicles also do duty as the primary family transport and for that reason there has been a safety increase for the MY10 version.

All 2010 Tritons have standard driver and front passenger SRS airbags, front and rear door impact bars, ABS brakes with electronic Brakeforce distribution, front seatbelt pretensioners and child restraint points.

Additional safety features available with the 2010 Mitsubishi Triton line-up confirm its position as the class-leader in this segment.

Active stability and traction control is available on all HP diesel models and passenger side and curtain airbags are available on all HP diesel dual-cab models, and standard on GLX-R variants, cementing the Triton’s four-star ANCAP safety rating.

In response to consumer feedback, Mitsubishi has developed a new, long-bed tray for dual-cab Tritons that offers a total tray length of 1505mm, and total tray height of 460mm, an improvement in both directions of 14 per cent.

Triton, exterior features have been upgraded with new front bumpers, grille and side-turning lamps.

Inside, new seat fabric and seat pads, sports seats, a new instrument cluster, floor console treatments, and a new sound system have all been added.

Pricing for the new 2010 Triton range is yet to be revealed; however, Mitsubishi has indicated that there will be no shocks in store f