Mitsubishi Gears Up for AXCR 2025 with Three Rally Beasts

Mitsubishi Ralliart to Field Three Tritons in AXCR 2025 Thailand Rally

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has confirmed its return to the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) with three heavily modified Triton pickup trucks, aiming to reclaim the championship title in the 30th edition of the event set for August 8 to 16, 2025, in Thailand.

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, backed technically by Mitsubishi Motors and operated by Tant Sport (Thailand), is pushing for its first overall win since 2022. The team is led by Hiroshi Masuoka, with support from Mitsubishi engineers who are enhancing the Triton’s durability, torque, and off-road performance for the tougher rally route this year, which now stretches to approximately 2,500 km over eight days.

Drivers Chayapon Yotha and Katsuhiko Taguchi will lead the title charge, while Mitsubishi test driver Kazuto Koide returns with an auto transmission-equipped Triton to validate future tech and support teammates. All three entries have undergone high-load testing in June near Khao Yai National Park, fine-tuning components such as suspension, engine cooling, and body integrity for extreme terrain.

Masuoka noted the new Triton has proven capable in all terrains, saying, “We’ve improved everything from engine torque to the chassis setup. We’re ready to win.”

The driver line-up includes:

• Chayapon Yotha (Thailand) with co-driver Peerapong Sombutwong – 2022 AXCR champion.
• Katsuhiko Taguchi (Japan) with Takahiro Yasui – Fifth place in 2024.
• Kazuto Koide (Japan) with Eiji Chiba – Mitsubishi test driver, made his AXCR debut last year.

The rally-ready Tritons feature 2.4L turbo diesel engines producing over 160kW and 500Nm, reinforced suspension by CUSCO, sequential and automatic transmissions, and carbon fiber body parts. Tires are Yokohama’s GEOLANDAR M/T G003, suited for deep mud and rocky terrain.

Key technical partners include HKS, CUSCO, ENDLESS, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

AXCR 2025 will run entirely within Thailand after organizers cancelled the Cambodia leg. The race starts and ends in Pattaya, crossing mountains, jungles, and rivers, testing both machine and man.