moreha tekor akhe: Mitsubishi Galant 2001

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The first generation of the car, initially known as the Colt Galant, was released in December 1969. The design was dubbed "Dynawedge" by Mitsubishi, referring to the influence of aerodynamics on the silhouette. Three models were available, powered by the new 'Saturn' engine in 1.3 (AI model) or 1.5 L (AII and AIII) configurations. 1.4 and 1.6 litre versions (14L and 16L) replaced these in September 1971, and a larger 1.7 followed in January 1973. Initially only available as a four-door sedan, a five-door estate and two-door hardtop variant were added in 1970, the hardtop offering the unique stylistic feature of being the first Japanese production passenger car with full side windows and no side pillars. It became Mitsubishi's first car to be sold in the United States in 1971 when the Chrysler Corporation, the company's new partner and stakeholder, began importing the car as the Dodge Colt. It was also produced by Chrysler Australia and sold alongside the larger Chrysler Valiant models as the Chrysler Valiant Galant.

2001 Mitsubishi Galant GTZ 4dr

2001 Mitsubishi Galant ES V6
From 1970, a fastback coupé model was developed, the Galant GTO. Fashioned after contemporary American muscle cars, the hardtop GTO was available with a choice of two "Saturn" engines and the 2-litre Astron 80, and was available until 1975. The nameplate was sufficiently highly regarded in Japan for it to be resurrected for the 1990 Mitsubishi GTO coupé.

2001 Mitsubishi Galant

A second, more compact coupé was introduced on a chassis shortened by 12 cm in 1971, the Galant FTO. Powered by the 4G41 1.4 L engine, it too would leave a legacy for the company to return to in the 1990s with the Mitsubishi FTO.

2001 Mitsubishi Galant ES

Although the earlier Colt had been imported in limited numbers, this generation, in 1.6L coupe form only, was the first model to establish the Mitsubishi brand in New Zealand from 1971 when newly-appointed distributor Todd Motors, which also imported and assembled Chrysler and Hillman, started selling a small number of Japanese-assembled cars to supplement its mainstream Hillman Avenger and Hunter models.

2003 MITSUBISHI GALANT 4DR

Pay for MITSUBISHI GALANT

The coupe was assembled in New Zealand from 1972, firstly at Todd's Petone factory, on the Avenger/Hunter line and, from 1974, at the brand-new purpose-built factory in Porirua (closed in 1998).

2001 Mitsubishi Galant

2001 Mitsubishi Galant ES V6
The second generation Galant was more widely exported as Mitsubishi's ambitions grew. It was again sold by Chrysler in many different guises; as the Dodge Colt in the United States, as the Plymouth Colt and Plymouth Cricket in Canada (from 1974), as the Chrysler Valiant Galant and (from 1976) as the Chrysler Galant in Australia, and in Europe as the Colt Galant.

2001 Mitsubishi Galant ES

2001 Mitsubishi Galant

The coupe, now with an 1,850 cc engine was again assembled in New Zealand by Todd Motors at Porirua. The sedan was not offered as Todd was planning to assemble the larger Galant Sigma sedan and wagon range from late 1977 and was still also importing the British Avenger and Hunter models.