Mitsubishi may build supercharged Galant for Aussies
click on image to enlarge
The Mitsubishi 380 sold in Australia is basically a version of the Galant sedan sold in North America with a few minor styling tweaks. The car's share the same 3.8-liter MIVEC V6 from which the Australian version gets its name, which is why we're so jealous of the Australian market after seeing this 380 TMR concept being shown off at the Sydney Motor Show. The 380 TMR features a supercharged version of the MIVEC 3.8-liter V6 that produces 308 horsepower and 326 ft-lbs. of torque, which are scary numbers indeed for a front-wheel drive sedan, but assuredly entertaining, as well. Aside from the hopped-up engine, the TMR, which stands for Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, includes six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes developed by Ralliart, a ride height lowered 50mm on adjustable Koni shocks, and 19-inch wheels bound with Goodyear Eagle F1 rubber. Styling is amped up with a new hood that sports twin scoops and aggressive body kit, while Recaro seats and a Fujitsu sound system are new additions to the interior.
Mitsubishi is seriously considering offering the TMR 380 to its Australian customers in one form or another, either as a two-tier model range with a lower-spec example sporting all the visuals and a top end version that adds the supercharged motor. The automaker might also make the components used to build the TMR 380 available as individual accessories. The business case seems solid, as Mitsubishi has already received orders for the car after it was seen on the internet.
Knowing that the 3.8-liter V6 powering the 380 is available in the U.S.-spec Galant, we're groaning out loud that this supercharged version wasn't offered in the Galant Ralliart. The Galant Ralliart sold here has a normally aspirated 258-horsepower version of the same engine that routs power through a 5-speed automatic. While 258-horsepower is nothing to scoff at, scoff we shall since more powerful motors are offered by the Galant's competition in models that are bereft of much sporting intent. The Toyota Camry's 3.5-liter V6, for instance, produces 268 horsepower, and it doesn't have a TRD badge on the back. It seems Australians have even more power lust than us in North America, and Mitsubishi is happy to feed their need.
[Source: Drive.com.au]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
z80cs 9:44PM (3/22/2009)
I bought one and i love it.
It is more refined than the concept car pictured.
I even bought the aftermarket supercharger kit for my daily car and it is supercharhed with LPG as the fuel.
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menice 11:51AM (10/26/2006)
ok so, Nicer GM cars, Nicer Ford cars, and s/c Mitsu's, AND Kangaroo's!!! I'm moving to Aussieville.
and to think i used to think of those folks as all back woods, old crappy land rover and pick up drivers.
why all the 'sweeter' models down under... cheaper gas?
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steve c 12:01PM (10/26/2006)
And why is that not coming here?
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Dave 4:36PM (10/26/2006)
THAT IS ONE SICK LOOKING GALANT!!! DO THE GIRLS COME WITH IT?
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That One Person 12:25PM (10/26/2006)
Because Steve, that would be the SMART thing to do.
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Scott Eaton 12:25PM (10/26/2006)
that picture sucks. the car may be good, but who could really tell through that useless curtain of tits.
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Pizza the Hut 12:39PM (10/26/2006)
I don't know # 4 - but those useless tits can show up in my driveway any day! hehehehe.
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Lee 12:48PM (10/26/2006)
Who cares? It's still FWD. I kind of doubt that many Australians are overly excited about this either.
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leo 1:27PM (10/26/2006)
ok, so mitsu has a great car in the Evo,
but why not bring this to the US with AWD and hte s/c so we can have another cheap option for performance
i'd still go for a Subaru if I was in the market for a car in this clas thou
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MikeW 1:46PM (10/26/2006)
How about the 6 speed automatic replacing the 4&5 speed autos in the Galant.
Better mileage, by having top gear = 40mph/1K rev with the 3.8V6, 30mph with the I4.
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Eyad 2:43PM (10/26/2006)
"click on image to enlarge"
... more true than you know...
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TBDN 2:49PM (10/26/2006)
If only Mitsubishi offered the supercharged engine and a six speed box in the new Pajero/Montero it would be a huge hit in the US. They could also fit the engine into the Eclipse and make a better car of it.
As # 3 says, they won't do any of this becaue it would be a smart thing to do. What a bunch of dorks!
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Dirty Old Man 4:06PM (10/26/2006)
Forget the car...I need one of those australian beauties!
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Colin Shaw 7:26PM (10/26/2006)
The girls are sensational, all from little old Adelaide in South Australia (must be the water). But the final car will be even better. It features the brakes from the Australian Rally Championship EVO1X lancer. The wheels are from ROH and the tyres are Goodyear F1's
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Chris 12:59AM (10/27/2006)
Actually menice, fuel in Australia, just like pretty much every other country in the world, is quite a bit more expensive than in America. Certainly not at European levels, but still costs more than in America because of massive taxes.
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Brent 7:28PM (10/28/2006)
I would like to point out some inaccuracies in your report.
The Mitsubishi 380 is more than a US-spec Galant with some minor styling tweaks. The 380 is an Australian built sedan, which is based on the Galant, but is something like 70% re-designed and re-engineered.
And no, the cars do not share the same motor. The 380 is powered by a 3.8L SOHC, 24 Valve V6, but is not a MIVEC engine like what is reportedly available in the states. The motors are similar, but not the same. The 380 uses an extremely high power Bosch 'Torque Demand' engine computer. All 380 models are powered by the same 175kW (234.68HP?), 343Nm (252.95lb/ft?) engine, with a 5 speed manual available on some models, and a 5 speed 'Sports Mode' INVECS-II automatic available on all.
I don't wish to put too fine a point to it, but there are some important differences to note.
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Mark Barton 6:57PM (11/05/2006)
This article is mis informed the 380 sold in Australia does not have a mivec motor at all it is powered by a 3.8 s.o.h.c motor
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