Mitsubishi Galant Generation History

Mitsubishi Galant — in the past passenger compact car (C-segment) 1969 to 1987 and midsize car (D-segment) from 1983 to 2012. Produced by a Japanese automaker «Mitsubishi Motors Corporation» from 1969 to 2012. «Galant» translated from French means «knightly». It was mainly a sedan, but there was also a station wagon, hatchback, coupe and hardtop. The engine on all generations was located transversely in front. Until 1987, the engine was located longitudinally in front, the drive was on the rear wheels. Since 1983, the engine began to be located transversely in front, the drive was mainly on the front wheels, but there were also models with all-wheel drive. The car came to replace an obsolete «Mitsubishi Colt 1500». Production was carried out in Japan, but in the 90s the car was also assembled in the USA. In total, about five million cars were produced.

The main competitors and classmates of the Japanese car «Mitsubishi Galant» are currently BMW 3 series, Audi A4, Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Opel Insignia, Mazda 6, Peugeot 308, Nissan Teana/Altima, Renault Laguna, Skoda Octavia, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat.

First generation (1969-1973)

In December 1969, sales of the first generation sedan began under the name «Colt Galant». At first it was a four-door sedan, and in 1970 a five-door station wagon and a two-door hardtop were added. This car was created to compete with other Japanese of that time - Toyota Corona, Nissan Bluebird, Honda Accord and Mazda Capella and became the first car of the company to be sold in the United States. Corporation «Chrysler» started importing it in 1971 under the name «Dodge Colt». Company «Chrysler Australia» produced a car under the name «Chrysler Valiant Galant». The length of the body was 4080 mm, width 1560 mm and height 1370 mm.

The engine was located longitudinally in front, the drive was only on the rear wheels. Engines were installed only four-cylinder gasoline of the following modifications and volumes - 1.3 liters (1289 cm³, 4G30, A51, 87 hp), 1.4 liters (1439 cm³, 4G33, A54, 92 hp), 1.5 liters (1499 cm³, 4G31, A52, 82 hp), 1.6 liters (1597 cm³, 4G32, A53, 100 hp) and 1.7 liters (1686 cm³, 4G35, A55, 115 hp). Gearbox three- or four-speed manual.

In 1971, a compact coupe appeared «Galant FTO» with engine «4G41» 1.4 liters (1378 cm³) 86 hp

Second generation (1973-1977)

The second generation was shown in May 1973 and went on sale in June in Japan. In other markets, the car was called «Colt Galant», «Dodge Colt», «Plymouth Colt», «Plymouth Cricket» And «Chrysler Valiant Galant». The engine is located in the front, the drive is rear. 4-door sedan, 5-door station wagon and 2-door hardtop. The length of the car was 4200-4215 mm, width 1600-1615 mm, height 1360-1395 mm and curb weight 925-970 mm. The design was developed taking into account the trend that was popular at the time «Coca bottle style».

The engine was located in front longitudinally with rear-wheel drive. Three four-cylinder gasoline models were installed with the following volumes and characteristics - 1.6 liters (1597 cm³, 4G32, A112, 97 hp), 1.9 liters (1855 cm³, 4G51, A114, 116 hp) and 2.0 liters (1995 cm³, 4G52, A115, 125 hp). The gearbox is a four- or five-speed manual, and for the first time they began to install a three-speed automatic.

Third generation (1976-1980)

Third generation named «Galant Sigma» (Σ) appeared in 1976. In different countries, the car had names «Chrysler Sigma», «Mitsubishi Sigma», «Colt Galant», «Colt Sigma» And «Dodge Colt». The body at first was only a four-door sedan. In 1977, a five-door station wagon and a two-door coupe appeared with the name «Galant Lambda» (Λ). The coupe was sold in the United States under the names «Dodge Challenger» And «Plymouth Sapporo», in Australia as «Chrysler Sigma Scorpion» or «Mitsubishi Scorpion». The length of the car was 4330 mm, width 1655 mm and height 1355 mm. The engine was also located longitudinally in front, rear-wheel drive.

Company «Mitsubishi» introduced a new engine «MCA-Jet» with emission control. The engine range consisted of four models of 1.6-liter gasoline four-cylinder in-line engines (1597 cm³, 4G32/G32B, A121/A131, 75 hp), 1.9 liters (1850 cm³, 4G51, A122, 86 hp), 2.0 liters (1995 cm³, 4G52/G52B, A123/A133, 105 hp) and 2.6 liters (2555 cm³, 4G54, A125, 114 hp). The transmission was a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic.

Fourth generation (1980-1987)

Fourth generation named «Galant Σ» / «Eterna Σ» was released in May 1980. The body was a four-door sedan, five-door station wagon and two-door coupe (Lambda). The dimensions of the car have increased, the length was 4570 mm, width 1680 mm, height 1380 mm and curb weight 1190 kg. Because of this, the interior space of the cab and trunk has been increased. Particular attention was paid to aerodynamics, ergonomics and safety. Thanks to the use of damping, additional carpeting and the use of a double thickness front bulkhead, the cabin is significantly quieter when driving. In 1981, Galant was selected as «Car of the Year» in New Zealand.

Gasoline engines were two models of 1.6 liters (1597 cm³, I4, 75 hp) and 2.0 liters (1995 cm³, 4G63 Sirius, I4), atmospheric power 102 hp and turbocharged with 156 hp. diesel engine «Astron», the first turbodiesel engine in Japanese passenger cars, 2.3 liters (2346 cm³, 4G55 I4) 84 hp. The diesel had some reliability issues, but they were fixed in 1982. Transmission: 3-speed automatic or 5-speed manual.

Fifth generation (1983-1989)

In August 1983, the fifth generation appeared with the chassis code from «E11A» before «E19A». The most important innovation is the use of front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive, the engine was installed transversely in front. The design has also become more modern. We worked on the aerodynamic drag, which amounted to 0.36. The body was only a four-door sedan or hardtop with a length of 4580 mm, a width of 1695 mm, a height of 1385 mm and a curb weight of 1160 kg. The increase in size pulled the car from a compact (C-segment) to medium size (D-segment). The station wagon version has been successfully replaced «Mitsubishi Chariot». For the Japanese market, the fourth generation was released in parallel «Galant Σ» until 1987. For the first time on this model began to use the anti-lock braking system ABS company «Bosch» on all four wheels.

The range of gasoline four-cylinder engines is huge and some 1.6-liter models (1597 cm³, 4G32, E11A, 75 hp), 1.8 liters (1755 cm³, 4G37, E12A, 86 hp), 1.8 liters (1795 cm³, 4G62, E13A, 100 hp), 1.8 liters (1834 cm³, 4G93, LPG, E19A, 109 hp), 2.0 liters (1997 cm³, G63B/4G63, E15A, 102 hp), 2.0 liters (1997 cm³, 4G63T, turbo, E15A, 150 hp) and 2.4 liters (2351 cm³, 4G64, E16A, 124-129 hp). There were also two models of 2.0-liter V-shaped six-cylinder engines (1998 cm³, 6G71, E17A, 105 hp) and 3.0 liters (2972 cm³, 6G72, E18A, 150 hp). Diesel engines are represented by one 1.8-liter turbocharged model (1795 cm³, 4D65 TD, E14A) 82 hp

The transmission was a three- or four-speed automatic, as well as a four-speed manual «Super Shift» with an additional downshift lever, that is, in fact, the transmission had eight steps. After the advent of the five-speed manual transmission «Super Shift» stopped applying.

Sixth generation (1987-1993)

In 1987, the sixth generation appeared with chassis codes from «E31» before «E39». Nagnia in some markets were «Mitsubishi Eterna», «Dodge 2000GTX», «Eagle 2000GTX», «Mitsubishi ZX/MF/MS/MX» And «Gallant lizard». Mitsubishi has developed an air suspension «Dynamic ECS» - an electronically controlled semi-active suspension for cars, which since 1987 has been used on the Galant. The body was a four-door sedan and a convertible roof sedan, as well as a five-door hatchback 4560 mm long, 1695 mm wide and 1360 mm high. The engine was located transversely in front, front-wheel drive. Also for the first time there was an all-wheel drive model, plus all-wheel drive (steering rear wheels). Won an award in 1987 «Car of the Year» in Japan, and in 1989 the American magazine «Motor Trend» gave the title «Import Car of the Year».

Gasoline engines were 1.6-liter four-cylinder in-line (1597 cm³, 4G32, E31, 79 hp), 1.8 liters (1755 cm³, 4G37, E32, 85 hp), 1.8 liters (1836 cm³, 4G67, DOHC, E35, 135 hp), 2.0 liters (1997 cm³, 4G63, DOHC, E33/E39, 145 hp) and turbocharged 2.0 liters (1997 cm³, 4G63T, DOHC, E3, 210 hp). The diesel engine was a single four-cylinder turbocharged 1.8-liter (1795 cm³, 4D65T, TD, E34, 75 hp). Gearbox four-speed automatic or five-speed manual.

In 1991, they carried out a minor update of the model with a new grille and other minor changes. American agency «National Highway Traffic Safety Administration» (NHTSA) conducted safety tests on a 1991 car, the results were as follows:

• frontal strike (driver) — 2 out of 5 stars
• frontal impact (passenger) — 4 out of 5 stars
• Side kick (driver) — 3 out of 5 stars
• Side kick (rear passenger) — 3 out of 5 stars

Seventh generation (1992-1998)

The seventh generation was shown to the public at the Tokyo Motor Show in September 1992. The body at first was only a four-door sedan. In February 1993, a five-door liftback was introduced at the International Motor Show in Amsterdam (AutoRAI). In the domestic Japanese market, there was a hardtop sedan named «Emeraude» (emerald, translated from french). The length of the car was 4625-4640 mm, width 1730 mm, height 1395-1400 mm and curb weight 1250 kg. The front suspension became multi-link with two lower and one upper arm instead of struts, the rear suspension also became multi-link instead of a beam, which increased ride comfort. It was the world's first multi-link suspension on all four wheels in a front wheel drive car. The engine was located transversely in front, front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive models also remained in stock.

Petrol four-cylinder engines were of three modifications - 1.8 liters (1834 cm³, 4G93, 116 hp), 2.0 liters (1997 cm³, 4G63, 137 hp) and 2.4 liters (2351 cm³, 4G64, 152 hp). There were four models of six-cylinder V-engines - 1.8 liters (1829 cm³, 6A11, 133 hp), 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, 6A12, 148 hp), 2.5 liters (2497 cm³, 6G73, 167 hp) and turbocharged 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, 6A12TT, twin turbo, 237 hp). The diesel engine was one 2.0 liter (1998 cm³, 4D68, I4, 90 hp). The gearbox was a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.

American agency safety ratings «National Highway Traffic Safety Administration» (NHTSA), conducted in 1997 and 1998, the results were as follows:

• frontal impact (driver) — 4 out of 5 stars
• frontal impact (passenger) — 4 out of 5 stars
• Side kick (driver) — 3 out of 5 stars
• Side kick (rear passenger) — 3 out of 5 stars

Eighth generation (1996-2006)

The eighth generation appeared in August 1996 with a design that retained the main features of the seventh generation. In other markets, Galant also had names «Legnum», «Aspire», «MX/MF», «VRG» And «VRM». The body was a four-door sedan, and the liftback was replaced by a five-door station wagon. The length of the car was 4660 mm, width 1740 mm, height 1410-1420 mm and curb weight 1336 kg. As you can see from these numbers, the dimensions and weight of the car have increased compared to the previous generation. Multi-link front suspension replaced with «McPherson». In 1996, the car received the award for the second time «Car of the Year» in Japan. Besides Japan, «Galant» produced in Venezuela, at a single plant «Mitsubishi» in Latin America.

There were four 1.8-liter petrol four-cylinder engines (1834 cm³, 4G93 GDI, 121 hp), 2.0 liters (1997 cm³, 4G63, 136 hp), 2.0 liters (1999 cm³, 4G94, 143 hp) and 2.4 liters (2351 cm³, 4G64, 150 hp). There were also four models of six-cylinder V-shaped engines - 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, 6A12, 143 hp), 2.5 liters (2498 cm³, 6A13, 163 hp), 3.0 liters (2972 cm³, 6G72, 195 hp), as well as a high-performance 2.5-liter twin-turbo (2498 cm³, 6A13TT, twin turbo, 276 hp). One 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine was also installed (1998 cm³, 4D68, 90 hp). Transmission 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic and 5-speed semi-automatic «INVECS-II».

2001 car crash test rating from US agency «National Highway Traffic Safety Administration» (NHTSA) looks like that:

• frontal impact (driver) — 4 out of 5 stars
• frontal strike (passenger) — 4 out of 5 stars
• Side kick (driver) — 3 out of 5 stars
• Side kick (rear passenger) — 4 out of 5 stars

Also tested with side airbags - all ratings are the same, except for side impact (driver), here the rating has risen to 5 out of 5 stars.

Ninth generation (2004-2012)

The ninth generation was shown in April 2003 at the New York International Auto Show. In October of the same year, official sales began in the United States. The body was only a four-door sedan with front-wheel drive. The length of the car was 4840-4850 mm, width 1840 mm, height 1470-1480 mm and curb weight 1540 kg. The increase in size has resulted in slightly more cabin space.

The engine was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder petrol (2378 cm³, 4G69, 160 hp), as well as a six-cylinder V-shaped 3.8-liter (3828 cm³, 6G75, 235 hp). Also since 2007, a high-performance modification has been produced «Ralliart» with a 3.8 liter engine with 258 hp. The transmission is a four-speed automatic, or a four- or five-speed manual.

In 2006, they carried out cosmetic updates to the exterior and interior. There were also minor updates in 2007 and 2009. In August 2012, the production of Galant was stopped, focusing on the release of popular «Lancer» And «Outlander».

Galant 9, back view, 2006 year

Galant 9, restyling, 2009 year

Galant 9, interior, 2009 year