Springboks Bongi Mbonambi (left) and Ox Nche
2023 Rugby World Cup winners Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nché took delivery of new Mitsubishi vehicles mere weeks after their success on rugby’s biggest stage.
Nché was awarded with the Mitsubishi Triton Xtreme from the Japanese automaker’s dealership in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, while Mbonambi received the keys to a Pajero Sport.
The two rugby giants will be driven by their respective Mitsubishi vehicles, forging partnerships that have the potential to last for a very long time.
The Triton Xtreme
The Triton Xtreme is a special version of the Triton bakkie that came to market in 2020. Though it still uses the same 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine (133kW/430Nm) married to a six-speed automatic transmission as the rest of the range, it benefits from a host of visual and striking updates.
However, the enhancements are not just for visual purposes. It serves the bakkie in the off-road stakes, making it more capable than it already is.
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Among the additions are ‘Xtreme’ branding, 4×4 stickers, door handle cups to protect the paint against nail scratches, roof rack supports for adventure lifestyle gear such as surfboards, window visors, and taillight covers.
When the bakkie was launched, the host of upgrades was valued at R100 000, but could be had at a R40 000 premium over the Triton 4×4 Double Cab Auto on which it was based.
Nic Campbell, General Manager of Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA), said of the Triton Xtreme: “The new Xtreme has all the features of the Triton 4×4 Double Cab Auto, including all the safety features that form the backbone of Mitsubishi products, and gets a long list of additional visual features unique to the Xtreme.”
The Mitsubishi Triton Xtreme sells for R808 990.
The Pajero Sport
It is not clear which model in the Pajero Sport range Mbonambi took delivery of, but the safe money would be on the top-of-the-line 4WD Exceed.
Like the Triton, it is also powered by the 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine, as well as the automaker’s brilliant Super Select II 4×4 system. This system can be paired with four selectable off-road modes: Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand, or Rock.
Whereas the Triton is equipped with a six-speed auto’ box, the Pajero Sport is fitted with a self-cogging eight-speed unit.
Moreover, the Pajero Sport is geared towards a more lifestyle orientation, with the cabin offering seating for seven passengers and a raft of active and passive safety features that include seven airbags and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
All the models in the Pajero Sport range have additional USB and accessory sockets (dual USB for the rear passengers) and a 220V AC 150-Watt power plug.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4 4WD Exceed sells for R874 990.
