Poor Mitsubishi. It’s fallen so far but in 1994 it was riding high. So high, in fact, that Motorweek introduced the seventh-generation Galant by saying, “Mitsubishi is a company on the move.” Not only that, but the sedan was an actual contender against cars like the Honda Accord. Can you imagine if Mitsubishi hadn’t imploded, what kind of turbocharged family sedan would have at our disposal now?
The 1994 Galant had a lot going for it. Mitsubishi was an early adopter of turbo engines across its entire lineup, from economy cars like the Cordia to the slick Eclipse to the mighty 3000GT. While the Galant itself didn’t have forced induction, it benefitted from a sporty image of its lineup.
The base model started at just $13,600, which Motorweek notes was closer in price to the smaller Nissan Altima than the segment leader Honda Accord. Its 2.4 single-cam Sirius engine put out 141 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, on paper an advantage over the 124-horse Honda. The $20,251 GS trim level brought in a DOHC head, boosting horsepower to a whopping 160. That flung the Galant from a standstill to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds when paired with the 5-speed manual.
Not only that, but the Galant featured a groundbreaking four-wheel multi-link suspension, a world’s first for a front-wheel-drive car. That translated to smooth and refined ride and handling, according to the review. Sadly the VR-4 variant didn’t make it here.
The Galant was also aggressively styled in a way the Accord (and Camry and Mazda 626) could only dream of. Its sleek styling was borne of a drag coefficient of just 0.29 Cd, yielding 23 mpg city, 30 highway. Plus, it was roomier than an Accord with equally plush and supportive seats. Built in Illinois alongside the Eclipse, it also had 70 percent American content, for buyers who care about such things.
In 20-20 hindsight the Hondas and Toyotas of the era had the quality advantage, but what fun would it be if that were the only metric governing buying decisions. If more people had given it a chance, Mitsubishi’s turbo experience and chassis engineering could have carried it into the modern era as a compelling alternative to the Camcord.
They’re still a company on the move….. it’s just in a downwards direction.
hahahaha
So is their downfall tied with Chrysler dropping them? Chrysler it seems was what kept them propped up.
I believe they still are known for construction equipment still.
As a former owner of multiple Mitsubishi Starions (all mine were Conquests, but still), I have some affection for the brand. My child will be 16 in 3 years, coinciding with me turning 50, so I’ve been perusing imported Lancer EVO IVs… Very pricey, but tempting…
Mitsu, Mitsu, the Chrysler of Japan, in so many ways, even disregarding their past dalliance with the Pentastar. In turns innovative and insular, exciting and bland, always in the hearts of enthusiasts, never well built or thoroughly engineered.
> Can you imagine if Mitsubishi hadn’t imploded, what kind of turbocharged family sedan would have at our disposal now?
I have pondered that while gazing at the Evo VI TME in our basement.