Mitsubishi Motors made three world debuts at the 2003 New York International Auto Show on Wednesday: the completely redesigned 2004 Galant, the remodelled Australian-built Diamante sedan and a new five-door Sportback version of the Lancer sedan.
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The new Galant now offers a 3.8-litre V6 engine that leads its class in displacement, a highly rigid new body structure and more than 100 cu. ft. of interior passenger room.The car is over 190 inches long, 72.4 inches wide on a longer 108.3 inch wheelbase.
Standard tyre size has been increased to to 16-inches and the base 2.4-litre Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and Electronic Control (MIVEC) engine has been boosted to 160 horsepower while the optional 3.8-litre V6 makes 230 horsepower and 250lb-ft. of torque.
Inside, dimensions have been expanded in every direction to provide over 57 inches of shoulder room and 37 inches of rear legroom.
As with the previous Galant, the model line-up includes four distinct trim lines from family sedan to sport sedan.
The Galant DE is expected to start below $US19,000, with the 2.4-litre engine, automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, air conditioning, 140-watt CD audio system, keyless entry and power windows, locks and door mirrors.
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By GlobalDataThe high-volume Galant ES is expected to start under $20,000 and is equipped with cruise control, titanium-style interior trim, upgraded interior lighting, premium cloth upholstery, colour-keyed exterior treatment and a range of options and upgrades.
The V6 range starts at under $22,000 with the Galant LS with Sportronic automatic/manual transmission, traction control and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution.
The sporty GTS has 17-inch alloy wheels, larger stabiliser bars an underbonnet strut tower brace, four-bulb projector headlights, parabolic fog lights, mesh sport grille integrated boot lip spoiler, custom taillights and a ‘sports’ exhaust system.
The as yet unpriced GTS also includes a leather-trimmed interior, 270-watt premium audio system, sunroof, front and side impact air bags, power driver’s seat and automatic climate control, a choice of interior decor treatments and a colour information display in the upper centre dash panel.
Following the Endeavor sport utility vehicle, the redesigned Galant is the second new vehicle in Mitsubishi Motors’ Project America series.
The all-new model was designed in California, engineered in Michigan and Japan, and is assembled in MMAL’s Illinois plant.
Mitsubishi expects the American-made 2004 Galant to reach annual sales of more than 100,000 — making it the best selling vehicle in the firm’s North American line-up.
Mitsubishi has also redesigned the Australian-made Diamante for 2004, the last model year the Down Under plant is expected to supply MMAL’s large sedan.
Changes include a new front fascia, grille, bumper and lights and a reshaped tail.
Three trim levels carry over but the centre instrument panel and console and trim fabric have been altered and new multi-spoke 16 inch alloy wheels are standard. Equipment levels have also been upgraded.
MMAL is taking on the Toyota Matrix, Mazda Protege 5 and Ford Focus ZX5 in the US with the 2004 Lancer Sportback. Based on the Lancer sedan and beefed up with a hefty 2.4-litre MIVEC engine developing162 horsepower, the new variant offers two trim lines and two levels of performance to go with its 42.3 cu. ft. of cargo space.
The Sportback has over 94 cu. ft. of interior passenger space, a 60/40-split folding reclining rear seat, cargo-area power outlet and under-floor and rear storage compartments. The base LS trim level includes air conditioning, a 140-watt audio system, power windows, locks and mirrors, keyless entry and woodgrain interior trim.
A sporty Lancer Sportback Ralliart variant sheds the conservative look and adds “tuner hardware” such as full sport suspension, front strut tower brace, 205/50R16 tyres on euro-flange alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, lower body kit, unique grille, tinted headlamp lenses and projector-beam fog lights.
Inside, the Ralliart model has the Lancer Evolution sedan’s sport seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, shifter and parking brake lever and carbon-style accent panels. A six-speaker audio system, cruise control and driver’s and passengers front and side impact air bags are also included.
