2009 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart
By Chris Jackson www.car-data.com
Lacking the flash and rally-racing credibility of the compact Lancer sedan, Mitsubishi’s Galantfinds itself serving time as an undistinguished member of the bread-and-butter family sedan segment.
Forgettable styling, reliable performance and generally sturdy build quality have made theGalant a darling of the rentacar community, a fact that hasn’t done much for its image.
For 2009 Mitsubishi’s looking to improve the Galant’s curbside presence, especially consideringthe much more exciting offerings from Honda, Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan, not to mention theredesigned
Mazda6 that’s due shortly.
To this end, the Galant gets a reskinned body with more distinctive curves and a new silhouette.New four- and five-speed transmissions and improved performance for the range-topping GalantRalliart also help to freshen the lineup.
The redesigned Galant looks nice, with additional chrome emphasizing the reshaped grille,multi-lensed taillights that look like custom units, and a new hoodline with a lower air intake.Out back, the rear window is larger, for better visibility. 17-inch wheels are standard.
To set it apart from the rest of the family, the Ralliart gets unique, wide-profile 18-inchwheels and special badging.
Inside, cheap-looking plastic trim on the dash clashes with the more upscale black wood andchrome on the console, betraying the Ralliart’s rentacar roots. Seating is comfortable, and theperforated leather chairs with contrasting stitching are available with heat. Rear-seat passengerswill appreciate the generous legroom. The Galant Ralliart includes sport aluminum pedals, a glasssunroof and automatic climate control as standard equipment, and a navigation system is available.
Unfortunately, just as the upgraded trim and equipment are catching your attention, the muchcheaper-feeling door pulls and armrests from the standard car are falling under your fingertips,spoiling the impression.
The Galant Ralliart does the basics nicely, but falls short of feeling truly special.
The Ralliart shares its engine with Mitsubishi’s Eclipse GT sports car, and the 3.8 liter V6twists out 258 horsepower. This DOHC engine features Mitsubishi’s MIVEC variable valve timing,with a somewhat sensitive throttle that’s hard to modulate at low speeds. If you’re expectinghard-edged Lancer Evolution-like performance, you’ll be disappointed; unfortunately this car is afew pounds heavier than the Eclipse GT, so the 3.8′s power doesn’t go quite as far and its visceralpunch is swallowed up by the car’s bulk. In the end, the Galant Ralliart’s performance feelssolidly mid-pack, though its six-second 0-60 run is nothing to scoff at. Downshifts from thefive-speed automatic transmission are quick and drama-free.
The Galant Ralliart gets a unique suspension compared to the rest of the lineup. MacPhersonstruts up front and a multi-link rear are augmented by stiffer shocks and springs, an anti-roll barat the rear, and the 18-inch wheels. Traction control is also standard equipment.
The Ralliart is compliant and comfortable on the freeway and in the curves, communicating morelike a family sedan than a sports sedan.
Larger disc brakes are also part of the Ralliart package. Response from the rack and pinionsteering is acceptably quick; the Ralliart succeeds in not being completely dull.
Perhaps the Lancer Evolution and Ralliart have set the bar too high, but the Galant Ralliartcomes off as less special than Mitsubishi’s other performance cars. As a slightly sporty familysedan, it works fine, but Nissan, Audi and Mazda have executed the four-door sports car theme moresuccessfully. That said, the Galant Ralliart is decent to drive, and its nicely loaded $27,299starting price is attractive as well.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart
Length: 191.0 in.
Width: 72.4 in.
Height: 57.9 in.
Wheelbase: 108.3 in.
Base price: $27,299
Price as tested: $29,424
Engine: 3.8 liter DOHC V6
Drivetrain: five-speedautomatic transmission; front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 258 @ 5750
Torque: 258 @ 4500
Est. mileage: 16/25
Mitsubishi Tests Pure Electric Car With Southern California Edison
Source – MMA www.car-data.com
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that it has signed a letter of intent withSouthern California Edison (SCE) to forge a unique collaboration for testing and evaluation of thenew i MiEV electric vehicle.
According to Tohru Hashimoto, Corporate General Manager of the i MiEV Business Promotion Officeof Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, “The small, four-passenger Mitsubishi i MiEVs will enter intoSCE’s nationally-recognized prototype testing and evaluation program. This collaboration with oneof the nation’s leading utility supporters of electric vehicles will provide us technical feedbackon i MiEV vehicle and battery performance, as well as vehicle connection and integration into theelectrical system.”
Extensive testing with the i MiEV has been occurring over the past two years with seven majorutility companies in Japan. The success of these programs quickened the pace and promptedMitsubishi Motors to begin selling the electric vehicle in the Japan market in summer of 2009.
The rise in interest for electric vehicles and other alternative-fuel propulsion systems isdramatically shaping the way automakers and utility companies are approaching the opportunity.Through this program, SCE hopes to help Mitsubishi Motors gauge how electric vehicles will mosteffectively connect to the smart grid of the future and the next generation Edison SmartConnectTadvanced meters. In addition, the collaboration may explore future requirements for vehiclecommunication and connection, helping enable new customer values associated with home energymanagement and control.
“Southern California Edison has more than 20 years and 16 million EV miles of experienceoperating the nation’s largest private fleet of electric vehicles,” said Edward Kjaer, SCE’sdirector of electric transportation.
“This new EV collaboration with Mitsubishi complements SCE’s existing work on plug-in hybridsand next-generation advanced batteries and their effective connection and control by Edison’snext-generation meters”
The i MiEV electric vehicle, which is based on Mitsubishi’s “i”
gasoline-powered mini car on sale in Japan, adapts a zero-emissions state-of-the-art electricdrivetrain. A durable 330-volt lithium-ion battery system is located under the floor deck andpowers a permanent magnet electric motor. With this packaging, the i MiEV is able to offer the samelevel of interior utility and space as the gasoline version while lowering the center of gravityfor more stable handling. The 47 kW electric motor offers improved performance and quickeracceleration over the 64-hp gasoline version.
The advanced lithium-ion battery is developed by the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation / MitsubishiCorporation / GS Yuasa joint venture company, Lithium Energy Japan. LEJ represents the leading edgein battery technology and promises up to 100 miles* of zero-emissions, economical driving on asingle charge when packaged in the i MiEV.
*Japan 10-15 Mode Cycle
