Mitsubishi Galant
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| Mitsubishi Galant | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
| Production | 1969–present |
| Assembly | Okazaki, Aichi Normal, Illinois |
| Class | Compact (1969–98) Mid-size (1996–present) |
| Body style | Sedan Hatchback Wagon |
The Mitsubishi Galant is an automobile manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors since 1969. The name was derived from the French gallan, meaning "valiant".[1] There have been nine distinct generations, and cumulative sales now exceed five million.[2] It began as a compact sedan, but over the course of its life has evolved into a larger mid-size car. Initial production was based only in Japan, but since 1994 the American market has been served by vehicles assembled at the former Diamond-Star Motors (DSM) facility in Normal, Illinois.
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[edit] First generation
| First generation | |
|---|---|
| Also called | Colt Galant Dodge Colt |
| Production | 1969–73 |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 2-door hardtop sedan 4-door sedan |
| Engine | 4G30 1.3 L 4G31 1.5 L |
| Wheelbase | 2420 mm |
| Length | 4080 mm |
| Width | 1560 mm |
| Height | 1370 mm |
| Similar | Datsun Bluebird Toyota Corona |
The first generation of the car, initially known as the Colt Galant, was released in December 1969. Three models were available, powered by the new 'Saturn' engine in 1.3 (AI model) or 1.5 L (AII and AIII) configurations. The design was dubbed "Dynawedge" by Mitsubishi, referring to the influence of aerodynamics on the silhouette.[2] Initially only available as a four-door, a two-door hardtop variant was added in 1970, offering the unique stylistic feature of being the first Japanese production passenger car with full side windows and no side pillars. It became Mitsubishi's first car to be sold in the United States in 1971 when the Chrysler Corporation, the company's new partner and stakeholder, began importing the car as the Dodge Colt.
From 1970, a fastback coupé model was developed, the Galant GTO. Fashioned after contemporary American muscle cars, the hardtop GTO was available with a choice of three 4G32 'Saturn' engines, and was available until 1975. The nameplate was sufficiently highly regarded in Japan for it to be resurrected for the 1990 Mitsubishi GTO coupé.
A second coupé was introduced in 1971, the Galant FTO GI. Powered by the 4G41 1.4 L engine, it too would leave a legacy for the company to return to in the 1990s with the Mitsubishi FTO.
[edit] Second generation
| Second generation | |
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| Also called | Colt Galant Chrysler Valiant Galant Dodge/Plymouth Colt Plymouth Cricket |
| Production | 1973–1975 |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 2-door sedan 4-door sedan |
| Engine | Astron I4 |
| Similar | Datsun Bluebird Toyota Corona |
The second generation Galant was more widely exported as Mitsubishi's ambitions grew. It was again sold by Chrysler in many different guises; as the Dodge Colt in the United States, as the Plymouth Colt and Plymouth Cricket in Canada (from 1974),[3] as the Chrysler Valiant Galant in Australia, and in Europe as the Colt Galant.
This model was more curvaceous, influenced by contemporary "coke-bottle" styling, and featured a range of larger 'Astron' engines developing up to 125 PS to complement the 'Saturn' units. During the second generation, the first Astron 80 engines were introduced using Mitsubishi's newly developed "Silent Shaft" balance shaft technology for reduced vibration and noise.
[edit] Third generation
| Third generation | |
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| Also called | Mitsubishi Galant Sigma Dodge Colt Plymouth Champ Chrysler Sigma Mitsubishi Sigma |
| Production | 1976–1979 |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon |
| Engine | 2.6 L 4-cylinder |
| Related | Dodge Challenger Mitsubishi Scorpion Plymouth Sapporo |
| Similar | Datsun Bluebird Honda Accord Toyota Corona |
The third-generation of the car was introduced in 1976, and was known as Galant Σ (Sigma). For the first time, a wagon variant was available to complement the sedan. In many export markets the car was simply known as the Galant, while the Dodge Colt name continued in America. In Australia, where the car was built locally at Chrysler's Clovelly Park plant, it was known as the Chrysler Sigma.
Mitsubishi introduced the MCA-Jet engine with its latest Galant. This incorporated the "Jet Valve", a secondary intake valve which improved emissions without necessitating the need for a completely redesigned cylinder head.
A new coupé was introduced to replace the Galant GTO known in Japan as the Galant Λ (Lambda).
The third generation Galant was the recipient of the Car of the Year award in South Africa in 1977.[4]
[edit] Fourth generation
| Fourth generation | |
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| Also called | Mitsubishi Eterna Mitsubishi Sigma Lonsdale |
| Production | 1980–1983 |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Similar | Honda Accord Mazda 626 Toyota Corona |
Mitsubishi's fourth iteration of the Galant / Sigma debuted many new innovations for Mitsubishi. Their new 'Sirius' engine was offered in turbocharged form for performance enthusiasts, while for economy, an 'Astron' 4D55, the first diesel engine in a Japanese passenger car, was also available.
For the second generation in a row Mitsubishi could claim to be building an award-winning car, as this was chosen as Car of the Year in New Zealand in 1981.
From 1982 to 1983, some of the Australian Sigmas were exported to the United Kingdom with the Lonsdale badge, circumventing the voluntary import quota restrictions adopted by Japanese manufacturers. However the car was unsuccessful, and for 1983 and 1984 it carried Mitsubishi Sigma badges in the UK before imports were discontinued.
The wagon version was facelifted, although from firewall back the vehicle remained the same. Production continued in Australia until 1987 when it was replaced by the new Magna.
[edit] Fifth generation
| Fifth generation | |
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| Also called | Mitsubishi Eterna Mitsubishi Sigma |
| Production | 1984–1990 |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Engine | 1.6 L Saturn I4 1.8 L I4 TD 2.0 L Astron I4 2.0 L Astron I4 turbo 6G72 3.0 L V6 |
| Similar | Honda Accord Nissan Stanza Toyota Camry |
A long-lived fifth-generation model shifted to front-wheel drive for the 1984 model year as a four-door sedan and hardtop (with different styling). This formed the basis of the widened Mitsubishi Magna in Australia for 1985, the same year in which Mitsubishi won Bild am Sonntag's Das Goldene Lenkrad (Golden Steering Wheel) award in Germany for the Galant and Wheels’ Car of the Year for the Magna.[5] This generation was also sold in the United States and New Zealand as the Mitsubishi Sigma until 1990.
This version had "edge" styling which was rare for cars in the 1980's: the Renault 21 and Vauxhall Senator were some of the few cars that had this styling.
Trim levels were engine-specific: GL models had 1.6-litre engines (badged 1600 GL), GLS models had 2.0-litre engines (badged 2000 GLS) and Diesel versions had a 1.8-litre turbodiesel engine. The diesel model did not have a trim level, it was simply 1800 TD.
[edit] Sixth generation
| Sixth generation | |
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| Also called | Mitsubishi Eterna Dodge 2000GTX Eagle 2000GTX |
| Production | 1987–1993 |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback |
| Engine | 1.6L 1.8L DOHC 2.0 L 102 hp I4 2.0 L 135 hp I4 2.0 L 197 hp turbocharged I4 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 2600 mm (102.4 in) |
| Length | 4670 mm (183.9 in) |
| Width | 1695 mm (66.7 in) |
| Height | 1360 mm (53.5 in) |
| Related | Eagle Talon Mitsubishi Eclipse Plymouth Laser |
| Similar | Honda Accord Mazda 626 Nissan Stanza |
In 1987 the same platform was used for a sixth-generation model which adopted taller, rounded styling. This generation won the Car of the Year Japan award in 1987 and the GS model became Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year in 1989.[6]
The Sigma designation disappeared but a new hardtop liftback model was added in 1988, called the Mitsubishi Eterna.
This generation was also sold in Canada as the Dodge 2000GTX and Eagle 2000GTX.
A limited edition based on the GTi-16v model was introduced in 1989, modified by German tuning company AMG (now owned by Mercedes-Benz),with mildly uprated engine (172PS) and unique bodykit, alloy wheels & leather interior.
The sixth generation was also the first to see the introduction of the VR-4 variant, which was the basis for Mitsubishi's participation in the 1988–1992 World Rally Championships. The Galant's 4G63 two litre DOHC turbocharged engine and 4WD transmission was later adopted for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with little modification, and would remain in production for fifteen years.
[edit] Seventh generation
| Seventh generation | |
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| Also called | Mitsubishi Emeraude Mitsubishi Eterna |
| Production | 1992–1998 |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback |
| Engine | 2.4L I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2635 mm (103.7 in) |
| Length | 4625 mm (U.S. = 187.0 in) |
| Width | 1730 mm (68.1 in) |
| Height | 1400 mm (U.S. = 53.1 in) |
| Similar | Honda Accord Toyota Camry Nissan Maxima |
A new Galant debuted in 1992 (model year 1994 in America), available as a four-door sedan and five-door liftback. A Japan-only hardtop derivative called the Mitsubishi Emeraude was also launched in 1992.
Because the Lancer Evo was now Mitsubishi's homologated rally car, the seventh generation VR-4 became a less overtly sporting vehicle, eschewing the old four-cylinder engine in favour of a smoother two litre V6 twin turbo. The four wheel drive transmission was retained. An intermediate spec VX-R was offered in 1993 with the MIVEC-MD engine similar to that found in the Mitsubishi FTO.
Production in the United States began on May 24, 1993 when the first seventh generation Galant rolled off the assembly line.
[edit] Eighth generation
| Eighth generation | |
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| Also called | Mitsubishi Legnum Mitsubishi Aspire |
| Production | 1996–2006 |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Body style | 4-door sedan 5-door wagon |
| Engine | 1.8L 4G93 GDI 2.0 L I4 2.4 L 4G64 I4 2.5 L 6A13 V6 2.5 L 6A13TT V6 twin turbo 3.0 L 6G72 V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 5-speed semi-automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2635 mm (103.7 in) |
| Length | 4660 mm (U.S. = 187.8 in) |
| Width | 1740 mm (68.5 in) |
| Height | 1420 mm (U.S. = 55.7 in) |
| Similar | Honda Accord Mazda 626 Toyota Camry |
The eighth-generation 1996 model (July 7, 1998 in America) continued the 1992 design themes but a station wagon (known in Japan as the Mitsubishi Legnum) was added. The liftback was deleted. This model won the 1996–97 Car of the Year Japan award. Despite being superseded in the U.S. from 2003, it remained on sale in other countries until 2006.
The American market ES, LS and GTZ models was offered with a V6 engine for the first time, the 6G72 3.0 L, mated to a standard 4-speed conventional auto.
Mitsubishi opted to further develop the technology in its range-topping VR-4, which was now powered by an enlarged 2.5 L V6 twin turbo. The car could be had with either a conventional 5-speed manual or advanced, self-learning 5-speed tiptronic semi-automatic transmission known as "INVECS-II". Also, some models were fitted with the same advanced active yaw control (AYC) as the Evo, to give it far greater agility than would be expected of such a large vehicle. Finally, as with the rest of the range, the VR-4 could now be had either as a Galant sedan or as a Legnum station wagon.
In 1998 the company introduced the Mitsubishi Aspire. Externally identical to the regular Galant, the new model name denoted the newly-introduced gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines.
[edit] Ninth generation
| Ninth generation | |
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| Also called | Mitsubishi Galant Grunder |
| Production | 2003–present |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | Mitsubishi PS platform |
| Engine | 2.4 L I4 3.8 L V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in (2750 mm) |
| Length | 190.4 in (4835 mm) |
| Width | 72.4 in (1840 mm) |
| Height | 57.9 in (1470 mm) |
| Related | Mitsubishi Eclipse Mitsubishi Endeavor Mitsubishi 380 |
| Similar | Honda Accord Mazda6 Nissan Altima |
| Designer | Olivier Boulay |
The United States has had the sedan-only ninth-generation PS platform model since October 15, 2003. It was announced at the 2003 New York International Auto Show in April for the 2004 model year, following the exhibition of the SSS concept sedan at the North American International Auto Show three years before.[7] The ninth-generation United States-sourced model is available for sale only in a few regional markets, namely North America, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. Russia began sourcing its Galants from the United States from 2006. The UAE began sourcing its Galants from the United States from the 2007 model year. The facelifted Galant for 2007 is now simply a rebadged Mitsubishi 380 from Australia.
Mitsubishi also assembles and markets a modified version of the ninth-generation Galant in Taiwan. Taiwan was one of the first regions outside the Americas to market the vehicle, when the Galant Grunder (now known simply as Grunder) was launched in December 2004 with a unique front end. In addition, this model is also sold in the Philippines as the Galant 240M using the 2.4 liter MIVEC engine.[8]
A localised version called the 380 is manufactured in Australia for the Australia-New Zealand Market. It replaced the Magna line in 2005.
[edit] External links
- Mitsubishi Galant at MMC's official global site
- Mitsubishi Galant at MMNA's official US site
- Mitsubishi Galant technical specifications
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Fact & Figures 2005, p.33, Mitsubishi Motors website
- ^ a b History and profile of the Mitsubishi Galant, Mitsubishi Motors South Africa website
- ^ "The Hillman Avenger, Plymouth Cricket, and Chrysler Sunbeam", 'Wilf', Allpar.com
- ^ Mitsubishi Motors History, Mitsubishi Motors UK website
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors' History, 1981–1990", Mitsubishi Motors South Africa website
- ^ "Motor Trend Import Car of the Year Complete Winners List", MotorTrend.com
- ^ "Mitsubishi's SSS Concept Vehicle Defines New 'Enhanced Utility Sedan'", The Auto Channel, January 12, 2000
- ^ Mitsubishi Galant 240M, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines website
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