The new Triton hit the Japan market in February 2024. We trained it on the world’s most grueling roads to deliver precise handling both on-road and off-road. In addition to handling and drivability, this Triton was also designed for ride comfort. The engineers at Mitsubishi Motors want everyone to be able to enjoy a comfortable ride with safety and peace of mind.Mitsubishi Motors poured its accumulated expertise into making a car that inspires a sense of adventure in everyday driving.
Kei Takeoka, a motor journalist, is eager to challenge rallying in this new Triton and convey the appeal of motorsports, the ultimate form of car fun.
Kei Takeoka was hooked on the joy of steering vehicles the moment she climbed into a go-kart at an amusement park. Since then, she became passionate about the automotive world and has been working actively as a motor journalist. She aspires to bring about an age in which cars are for fun as opposed to just a mode of transportation.
“Japan boasts some of the world’s leading car manufacturers, but it feels like there are unexpectedly few motorsports enthusiasts here. However, I see motor sports as the ‘ultimate from car’”
Takeoka was in her 20s when she became interested in motorsports. Unable to forget the thrill of off-road driving, she found enjoyment driving in dirt trials and things of that nature.Unsatisfied, she then participated in the Rally Mongolia in 2009.Takeoka laughs as she explains that his desire to "challenge rallying in earnest" grew stronger and stronger. “Competing in a full-fledged rally is no easy task. However, as I got older, I started to think ‘My life might end without ever having competed in a full-fledged really if I don’t do anything.’“ That was when I launched the Kei Rally Project in 2016 with the help of various supporters.”
Takeoka started training in the second half of 2016, then in 2017 participated on a spot basis in the pinnacle of Japanese racing, the All Japan Rally Championship (JRC). She continued competing in the rally for five consecutive years, then in 2021 entered the Central Rally held as a pre-event leading up to the World Rally Championship (WRC), which she successfully completed. At the end, she couldn’t hold back the tears or the elation.
As the culmination of the Kei Rally Project, Takeoka will be taking on a rally race in the new Triton.
“Mitsubishi Motors is a symbolic presence for rally fans. Many of them dream of full-fledged in Mitsubishi Motors cars, which have captured glory in the Dakar Rally and WRC. I had also always yearned to drive a Mitsubishi Motors car in a full-fledged rally if I ever had the chance.”
Then, she did a news story on the world premiere of the new Triton. She grins as she remembers thinking, “Finally, a Mitsubishi Motors car worthy of full-fledged rally racing is being released in Japan! With spirit and resolve as the culmination of the Kei Rally Project, I told the folks at Mitsubishi Motors about my enthusiasm to join a rally competition in the new Triton.
Even though Takeoka had test-driven her soon-to-be partner the Triton many times before, she was still amazed by its excellent handling. She continues, “Its stylish look and intrepid aura are really captivating. And it handles unbelievably well for its large size. Its easy turns and intuitive drivability are striking. The control is precise. To compete in a rally race, I think it’s the ideal partner for someone like myself who has never been a professional driver.” In addition to the special stages where drivers race full-throttle, rallies also include liaison sections that require driving long distances on ordinary roads to the next special stage. For that reason in particular, expectations for the Triton and its superior ride comfort are growing.
Takeoka also feels a strong connection to Mitsubishi Motors which has been a trailblazer in Japan’s rally racing world. “When I was younger, I was able to drive with precise handling off-road or on snow when I was behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Motors, so I ended up with the mentality that four-wheel drive is synonymous with Mitsubishi Motors. I believe that Mitsubishi Motors has built up a wealth of rally-related expertise that other companies don’t have. From engines that are easy to drive with powerful torque, to driving force that gets fully transmitted to the road surface for powering through, to turning that executes exactly as the driver envisions with just enough tilt of the steering wheel. Being sturdy and hard to break, plus being easy to fix even when it does break. These should definitely be leveraged in vehicle development,” says Takeoka.
Rally is the ultimate form of car fun for Takeoka who truly enjoys driving cars. “Lots of people get involved, new value is created, and it catches on even more in the world. I want to create that positive cycle in Japan,” she continues enthusiastically. Those thoughts are also shared by Mitsubishi Motors, which continues to develop cars with the passion to bring adventure to the people who ride them.
Kei Rally Project’s motto is “Just have fun! Be happy! Get recorded in memories rather than record books!” “To have participants also experience the joy of rally racing, we want to start by aiming to complete Rally Kamuy. There, we will capture solid data for Rally Hokkaido,” Takeoka says with a smile. With a feel for the potential of this new partner, She had high hopes for the rally. “The Triton is nearly 5.4 meters in length, but it’s all put together so well and handles so easily that even I can maneuver aggressively through narrow forest roads. I want to bring new inspiration to Japan’s car culture, and the styling also looks fantastic. I hope that local residents will take notice of the Triton rally car on their everyday roads!”
Mitsubishi Motors aims to support those who possess the spirit of adventure. Takeoka is one of them. Fueled by dreams, she will be giving it her all in rally races, and We will be supporting her.
※1Kei Rally Project:Kei Rally Project official website
The rally racing team which Takeoka both owns and drives for.Launched in 2016. This project to compete in rally races was born out of many years of aspirations, competing under the slogan of “Together, let’s dream so big that we can’t even sleep!” Their motto is “Do it your own way.”
※2Kei Takeoka:
Motor journalist and entertainer who is active in a broad array of activities as a supportive presence for car owners, from talk shows at events to various types of safe driving instruction, and more. In addition to frequently appearing on TV and radio programs and writing articles for magazines and websites, she also provides information about various cars on her own YouTube channel Kei Tube.