Galant Fourth generation

Fourth generation

Also called	Mitsubishi Eterna Mitsubishi Sigma Lonsdale (car)
Production	1980–87)
Class	Compact
Body style(s)	4-door sedan 4-door station wagon 2-door coupé
Layout	FR layout
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 3-speed automatic

Mitsubishi's fourth iteration of the Galant/Sigma debuted many new innovations for Mitsubishi. Their new 'Sirius' engine was offered in turbocharged form for performance enthusiasts, while for economy, an 'Astron' 4D55, the first diesel engine in a Japanese passenger car, was also available. A new electronic fuel injection system was introduced on some models of the gasoline Astron, while only the carburetted version was offered in the United States.

For the second generation in a row Mitsubishi could claim to be building an award-winning car, as this was chosen as Car of the Year in New Zealand in 1981.

From 1982 to 1983, some of the Australian Sigmas were exported to the United Kingdom with the Lonsdale badge, circumventing the voluntary import quota restrictions adopted by Japanese manufacturers. However the car was unsuccessful, and for 1983 and 1984 it carried Mitsubishi Sigma badges in the UK before imports were discontinued.

The wagon version was facelifted, although from firewall back the vehicle remained the same. Production of the wagon version continued in Australia until 1987 when it was replaced by the new Magna.

The two door coupé was also redesigned for 1981 and was sold through 1983. The fourth generation was known as the Mitsubishi Scorpion in Australia, and the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Sapporo in the United States.

The fourth generation sedan and coupé were both slightly larger than the third generation cars. Additional emphasis was given to ergonomics, aerodynamics, and safety. Shoulder room, leg room, and head space were all increased, and the trunk was slightly enlarged for more luggage capacity. The interior was made quieter with additional carpeting and other acoustic dampening materials and a double-thickness front bulkhead.

Posted in: Galant