The 1986 Mitsubishi Galant occupied a strange space in the 1980s Japanese sedan segment. It was only offered with a four-cylinder, so it would have made sense to cross-shop it with an Accord or Camry. But, it was catapulted it into heights shared with cars like the Cressida or Maxima thanks to an insane slew of high-tech options that are only becoming commonplace on cars today.
This old Motorweek review is an excellent run-down of the Galant’s many charms.itsu Behold its shuttlecraft-esque styling, with its straight-cut rear wheel arch. From the front, it looks vaguely like a Renault Alliance, while a side profile says V10 Camry. Inside, however, is where the party is. Who doesn’t love center console that looks like the bridge controls on the starship Enterprise, a gear selector that resembles an Autobot’s holstered ray gun, and a button-laden pod that moves up and down with tilt steering? And apparently stereo buttons on the steering wheel were once called satellite controls (a $330 option with premium sound system).
The futuristic theme isn’t just skin deep, either. An optional electronically controlled suspension offered a Sport Mode that alters the damper valving for a stiffer ride. There are no less than four selectable ride heights, the tallest of which accommodates tire chains. All for the low, low price of $631! Of course, when the car starts at $12,989 that is a good chunk of change.
The sole powertrain was one of Mitsubishi’s trademark big-displacement inline-fours, a 2.4-liter mill with Silent Shaft counterbalancers. The result was a smooth four generating 110 horsepower and a not unimpressive 135 lb-ft of torque.
Sadly, the last time we saw one of these in the wild was probably 10 years ago. The good news is, if Craigslist 0fferings are probably barely cracking the four-digit range. The trick will be finding one in the first place.
Here in New Zealand this 5th generation Galant did indeed get blessed with 2 more cyclinders (also in Japan in Hartop sedan named “Duke”) it got the 6G71 3 litre V6 (1988 being sold along side the 6th gen) these cars were quite potent for the time the V6 versions were used by the traffic patrol department here in New Zealand.
Never seen one here.
I have the ’92 base model Galant with the SOHC 4G63 that I use as my daily beater, great handling. dead reliable and lots of gadgets. Also have the ’91 Galant VR4 #506 of 2000, total beast with a modded 4G63T twin cam. Between the two, I have my driving needs covered.
Sweet! my mom had an 86 Tredia. That thing got totaled shortly after. I too had a 91 Galant VR4 (number was in the 400’s), sold that and last I heard it had a ton of miles and was finally donated to cars4kids or something. 🙁
Too bad Mitsubishi Motors in now dominated by Nissan-Renault. We’ll probably never see performance sedans and coupes again.
I’m restoring a 1990 model. It has 86k and 3.0v6. I’ve fitted a manual gearbox from a fwd 3000gt. I may be the only manual V6 Galant/sigma in the USA. Tucson. AZ
Instagram 1990sigma
In Australia this was the Mitsubishi Magna – 2″ wider with the 2.6 4 cylinder engine. There was even a station wagon version.
Weren’t there also special editions/models? I saw one a few months ago, White, with gold wheels and a subtle bodykit.
Looked very much like this: http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/mitsubishi-magna-elante.jpg
The wagon version – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Magna#/media/File:1991_Mitsubishi_Magna_(TP)_Grand_Tourer_station_wagon_(20180395298).jpg
Australian Mitsubishi Magna brochure:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/99835197@N04/albums/72157676605587454
Galant Turbo ad, Europe:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/99835197@N04/albums/72157650677270706