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Mitsubishi Galant sedan chisels new shape with V6 horsepower
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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DALLAS, Tex. -- A flashy version of the Galant sedan from Mitsubishi inches through traffic on the Stemmons Freeway, a gridlocked artery etched between glossy glass towers in the sprawling Texas mega-market of Dallas.
Driver, strapped in a bolstered bucket seat and facing a clean instrument panel with highly legible analog gauges displaying crisp white faces, grips a thick leather-wrapped steering wheel and itches for a break in traffic to unleash Galant's new V6 engine.
On this day patience prevails through the stagnating morning pileup. By the time the freeway merges into Northwest Highway the flow picks up speed and foot can at last ply the pedal.
My Galant GTZ leaps to action in a quick run up to legal speed but indicates it has much more in reserve.
It feels solidly planted to pavement at speed, yet there's a hint of playfulness detected from quick steering gears and active suspension components.
It's also uncommonly quiet in the revamped cockpit, as external noise and engine vibrations seem to fade away. Such isolation for the passenger compartment, stemming from a rigid chassis and extensive use of sound-damping materials tucked throughout the structure, denotes a significant refinement for Galant, which measures larger than the previous issue in all dimensions and has room for five in an arrangement which orients all control systems toward driver.
The first revision for Galant sedan occurred at the beginning of the decade with a design so innovative it captured "Car of the Year" trophies in the United States as well as Japan. Another gestation occurred five years ago when production commenced at Mitsubishi's Illinois production facility, Diamond Star Motors.
This latest version, designed in California and constructed in Illinois, elevates Galant to mid-size category for cabin space and adds the V6 engine option.
The good looks of this new entry in the mid-size class revolve around the concept of aerodynamic efficiency which enables a car to slice a wedge through still air and move with such efficacy that the resulting reduction of wind resistance will produce higher fuel economy figures.
That's exactly what Galant's design does.
Presenting a smoothly rounded form from every angle, Galant earns a coefficient of drag -- the measurement of wind resistance -- of only 0.29. That ranks it in terms of sleekness at the top of the lot of all automobiles.
Fuel economy figures bump as high as 31 miles per gallon for the price-leading Galant DE with 4-cylinder engine tied to a manual transmission, so Galant's pleasing form serves a dual purpose by enhancing aesthetics while also saving cents at the fuel pump.
The overall fluidity of Galant's design appears particularly appealing. Note the slick sweep of a slinky prow accented by bold new grille and new bumpers, followed by chiseled fenders and sensuously denticulated door panels, then the high tail treatment with curt rear lip.
Fascia in front and back look outright aggressive.
Galant for 1999 is longer, taller and wider than the car it replaces.
Although Galant rides on a platform which has the same wheelbase of 103.7 inches as the former version, overall length expands by a fraction as does width, while height increases by 2.6 inches. These spatial expansions create more elbow room for riders and more space for cargo in the trunk, which now has a volume of 14 cubic feet.
The interior plan, with seating for five stemming from two shapely front bucket seats and a 3-person bench in back, was developed at Mitsubishi's California design center with all fittings and features aimed at an American audience.
Galant's interior revolves around a driver, with cockpit controls and gauges set in responsive positions.
Height of dashboard decreases to improve forward visibility for driver, and an armrest atop the center console is now level with the left door armrest for comfort.
Dual airbags are also in place, with seat-mounted side airbags available, either optionally on any Galant with 4-cylinder engine or standard with the V6 of top models.
Where Galant most impresses one tester concerns the way driver feels when installed in the bolstered bucket seat with seatbelt strapped across chest, hands on steering wheel, eyes peering through tall windows, ears tuned to the subtle nuances of a quiet cabin.
Then, too, it's a fun car to drive.
Mitsubishi's engineering team loaded some impressive mechanical equipment beneath Galant's slick skin, such as the power-assisted rack and pinion steering system and a fully independent multi-link suspension.
Computerized anti-lock brake controls are also aboard, either as a packaged option for base trim or as part of the standard for V6 Galants.
Mitsubishi's 2.4-liter 4-pack has been outfitted with overhead cam, four valves in each cylinder and multi-point fuel injection system. Horsepower reaches 145.
The single-cam V6, displacing 3.0 liters and also with four valves per cylinder, runs output to 195 hp.
Shifter lever, mounted to the console in sporty stance, connects to Galant's 4-speed automatic transmission, which carries an adaptive controller that, with help from an on-board computer, quickly learns a driver's habits and manipulates shift patterns to best suit the driving style.
Take it easy and this one interprets that style by shifting gently at relatively low engine speed. Pep it up in a more sporty manner and you'll find the transmission holds a gear to wrap it out and enhance speed. Tackle a long downhill descent and the shifter drops a gear to add engine braking.
Trim levels for Galant include two models with the 4-cylinder engine and three for the V6.
Entry edition Galant DE becomes the price leader at $17,410 with 4-in-line engine and the manual stick. Additional equipment for convenience and comfort leads to the mainstay model, Galant ES, and on to luxurious LS, each with either the four or six engine. A new top trim, GTZ, stocks the V6 and sporty gear, including a tail spoiler.
The value version, Galant ES, has more content but a lower price than the previous issue. It's $17,990 with 4-cylinder engine or $19,990 with V6.
1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT SEDAN
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1999 MITSUBISHI GALANT Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size sedan |
| Model Options: |
Mid-size sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
103.7 inches |
| Overall Length: |
187.8 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 2.4-L I4
SOHC 3.0-L V6
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| Transmission: |
I4: Manual/5, Auto/4
V6: Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum
V6: ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 + 2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
I4 M/5: 23/31 mpg
I4 A/4: 21/28 mpg
V6 A/4: 20/27 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 17,410 to $ 25,000 |
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