Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has confirmed Team Mitsubishi Ralliart readiness after seven days of intensive performance and durability testing for the Mitsubishi Triton Rally Car 2026 on off-road routes around Khao Yai in mid-May.
The team plans to enter three Triton Rally Cars in Asia Cross Country Rally 2026 in Thailand this August, aiming to defend its crown and secure a second consecutive overall victory.
Mitsubishi Triton Rally Car 2026 technical setup
The race cars are prepared in two main configurations to suit different driver styles. The cars for Chayaphon Yotha and Katsuhiko Taguchi use a body measuring 5,070 mm long, 1,995 mm wide, with a 3,130 mm wheelbase and 1,730 mm front and rear track width. Lightweight carbon-fiber panels are used on the hood, front fenders, door panels and cargo bed.
These cars use a six-speed sequential transmission with Moty's racing transmission oil and CUSCO LSDs at both front and rear. Kazuto Koide car is narrower at 1,865 mm with 1,570 mm track width, using a six-speed automatic transmission with Super Select 4WD-II and CUSCO LSDs.
Power comes from the 4N16 2.4-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with a variable-geometry turbocharger from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine & Turbocharger. A dedicated HKS AXCR exhaust helps output exceed 218 hp, or 160 kW, and more than 500 Nm of torque, with stronger low-to-mid-range response for mud and rough stages.
The front suspension uses independent double wishbones with coil springs, while the rear uses a rigid four-link coil-spring layout. Adjustable dual dampers from CUSCO and hydraulic bump stops are designed to handle impacts far beyond normal road use. Braking hardware comes from ENDLESS, with FORTEC racing brake fluid, 17-inch WORK wheels and YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR M/T G003 tires.
Driver and co-driver lineup for 2026
- Chayaphon Yotha and Peerapong Sombutwong from Thailand. Chayaphon is an AXCR overall champion from 2022 and 2025, known for precise line control and high-speed mechanical sympathy.
- Katsuhiko Taguchi and Takahiro Yasui from Japan. Taguchi brings international rally credentials, including two FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship titles.
- Kazuto Koide and Eiji Chiba from Japan. Koide is a Mitsubishi Motors test-team leader with deep experience in Evolution and Pajero development.
AXCR 2026 route and schedule
Asia Cross Country Rally 2026 is scheduled for August 9-15, 2026. The ceremonial start will take place in Pattaya, Chonburi, before the route heads north through Prachin Buri, Nakhon Sawan and Kamphaeng Phet, finishing in Phitsanulok after more than 2,000 km of demanding terrain.
The program is supported by several technical and competition partners, including CUSCO, ENDLESS, ENEOS, HKS, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine & Turbocharger, Work and Yokohama Rubber.
Bangkok Motorhaus Perspective
The Khao Yai test of the Mitsubishi Triton Rally Car 2026 is both a technical exercise and a powerful marketing move. At a time when many brands compete mostly on technology numbers, Mitsubishi is still using off-road motorsport as a moving laboratory to prove chassis strength, 4N16 engine durability and four-wheel-drive capability connected to the All-New Triton sold in showrooms.
The carbon-fiber weight reduction and vehicle-balance strategy are especially interesting. A lighter body and better mass distribution can reduce inertia when the car lands from jumps, while CUSCO suspension can work more consistently over high-speed rough terrain. Stronger low-to-mid-range response is also a practical answer for Thai rainy-season stages with mud, ruts and fast-changing surfaces.
If Mitsubishi successfully defends the AXCR title in 2026, the trophy will become a powerful proof point for both Triton and the Ralliart brand image. Winning in a stage environment far harsher than normal use can build confidence more effectively than ordinary advertising. This is Mitsubishi chance to turn motorsport heritage into real momentum for the off-road vehicle market in 2026.
