Mitsubishi appears to be working on a pumped-up version of the Triton which could turn it into a Ford Ranger Raptor rival.

The Triton, also sold as the L200 in some markets, isn’t sold in the United States, but earlier this year, the Japanese car manufacturer unveiled an aggressive off-road version in concept guise dubbed the Triton Absolute. Patent images uncovered by Australian publication Car Advice indicate that this vehicle could reach the production line with limited alterations.

A plethora of parts differentiated the Triton Absolute Concept from the current road-going model. There are new off-road wheels and tires, revised suspension, LED light bars, a roof rack, front and rear skid plates, flared wheel arches and a carbon fiber tailgate. These modifications made for a very aggressive piece of kit, possibly one with the right looks to tempt buyers away from the Ranger Raptor and Toyota HiLux Rugged X models.

While it appears as though the production version will feature largely identical exterior parts to the concept, it remains unclear how comprehensive the modifications will be under the skin. Powertrain modifications are unlikely and instead, mechanical upgrades will probably be limited to different suspension components to improve the vehicle’s off-road abilities.

As always, it’s worth pointing out that design patents aren’t always an indication that a new vehicle is in the works and are often filed just to ensure a company’s intellectual property is protected. However, Car Advice reports that the Triton Absolute Concept has been touring dealerships across Australia so it is looking likely to hit the market at some stage.