Walkinshaw Performance Beef Up Mitsubishi Triton

Want a ute that's got a bit more muscle? Walkinshaw Performance have tweaked the turbodiesel Mitsubishi Triton to enhance power and handling, giving the well-to-do tradesman a little more performance in their weekday workhorse.

The Walkinshaw Performance edition Triton, which is being sold in Europe as the L200, features a variety of Ralliart upgrades to its 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine, resulting a power figure of 125kW/168hp - not bad for a small capacity diesel - while Koni dampers stiffen up the ride. On the outside, a set of 20-inch rims and a stainless steel fuel door, tailgate cover and door handles add some bling. Leather seats, a DVD navigation screen and a 420-Watt sound system pimp out the interior.

I must admit I'm a little bit baffled by the sport truck phenomenon. First it was the TRD Hilux, and now Mitsubishi are getting in on the game too. I know that these things will probably sell quite well among the tradie crowd, who see these kinds of work vehicles as a rolling endorsement of their success, however I can't help but feel that a "performance truck" is a fundamentally compromised design. Sure, they might be faster than most other trucks, but they would probably be beaten by any modern sedan in a sprint. As for their suitability as a work vehicle, those fancy suspension mods and big wheels will do nothing to help load-carrying capability, while it'll no doubt handle like a pig when time comes to head off-road thanks to those shallow-tread tyres.

Do you agree, or do you think I'm just whinging for no good reason? Let us know whether you'd buy something like the Walkinshaw Performance edition L200/Triton in the comments below.