Mitsubishi Unveils Galant
February 7, 1998 -- The 1999 Galant was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show with a flourish reminiscent of a fashion show. Three women, dressed in white bodysuits, lifted the silk cover and pirouetted into the background, revealing an even more attractive sedan.
The new Galant is very similar in design to the more luxurious Diamante, sporting an aggressively shaped grille and attractive sheetmetal. Such distinctive appearance is almost unheard-of in the entry-level sedan class. Mitsubishi's new Galant is anything but boring.
Most attractive is the optional 3.0-liter V-6 borrowed from the Montero Sport. Previous Galants came only with a rather tame four-cylinder motor. As noted by Mitsubishi of America's new CEO Pierre Gagnon, the '99 Galant's V-6 "will be extremely competitive with the horsepower and torque produced by the V-6 engines in the Accord, Camry, and 626."
The new engine is exclusive to North American Galants, as are the suspension and interior arrangement. Mitsubishi has gone to great lengths to ensure that the Galant is well-received. The total number of parts have been decreased, making for faster production and a more rigid structure.
Height, width, and length have all been increased, and so has the interior space, though no exact numbers are yet available. We can attest that seating is comfortable and adequate for a mid-sized sedan. Climate controls have been moved below the radio controls for the first time in a Mitsubishi product, which is more evidence that the car was designed with Americans in mind.
The '99 Galant will be built in Normal, Ill. Initial production is aimed at 50,000 units per year, but Mitsubishi is very optimistic about the future of the Galant, hoping to at least double sales in the next few years. The new Galant will begin arriving at dealerships in July, and advertising is slated for early August.
February 7, 1998 -- The 1999 Galant was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show with a flourish reminiscent of a fashion show. Three women, dressed in white bodysuits, lifted the silk cover and pirouetted into the background, revealing an even more attractive sedan.
The new Galant is very similar in design to the more luxurious Diamante, sporting an aggressively shaped grille and attractive sheetmetal. Such distinctive appearance is almost unheard-of in the entry-level sedan class. Mitsubishi's new Galant is anything but boring.
Most attractive is the optional 3.0-liter V-6 borrowed from the Montero Sport. Previous Galants came only with a rather tame four-cylinder motor. As noted by Mitsubishi of America's new CEO Pierre Gagnon, the '99 Galant's V-6 "will be extremely competitive with the horsepower and torque produced by the V-6 engines in the Accord, Camry, and 626."
The new engine is exclusive to North American Galants, as are the suspension and interior arrangement. Mitsubishi has gone to great lengths to ensure that the Galant is well-received. The total number of parts have been decreased, making for faster production and a more rigid structure.
Height, width, and length have all been increased, and so has the interior space, though no exact numbers are yet available. We can attest that seating is comfortable and adequate for a mid-sized sedan. Climate controls have been moved below the radio controls for the first time in a Mitsubishi product, which is more evidence that the car was designed with Americans in mind.
The '99 Galant will be built in Normal, Ill. Initial production is aimed at 50,000 units per year, but Mitsubishi is very optimistic about the future of the Galant, hoping to at least double sales in the next few years. The new Galant will begin arriving at dealerships in July, and advertising is slated for early August.
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