| Mitsubishi Galant Λ (Lambda) | |
|---|---|
 1982 Mitsubishi Sapporo 2000 GSL | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
| Also called | Mitsubishi Eterna Λ (Lambda) Mitsubishi Sapporo Mitsubishi Scorpion[1] Chrysler Sigma Scorpion[2] Chrysler Scorpion[3] Colt Sapporo Dodge (Colt) Challenger Plymouth Sapporo |
| Production | 1976–1984 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Body style | 2-doorhardtop/notchbackcoupé |
| Layout | Longitudinal front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Related | Mitsubishi Galant |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Colt Galant,Galant GTO |
| Successor | Starion (Japan) Galant/Eterna Σ hardtop (Europe)[4] |
The Mitsubishi Galant Λ (Lambda) is a two-door, four-seathardtop/notchbackcoupé built byMitsubishi from 1976 until 1984. From 1978, it was exported under various names; such as theMitsubishi Sapporo inEurope andSouth America (named for theJapanese city ofSapporo, which was considered to have positive international connotations after having hosted the1972 Winter Olympics[5]), theDodge (Colt) Challenger andPlymouth Sapporo inNorth America andPuerto Rico, and theChrysler Sigma Scorpion,[2]Chrysler Scorpion[3] and later theMitsubishi Scorpion[1] inAustralia. It was also sold as a Sapporo in theUnited Kingdom under theColt brand.
For the 1987 model year, Mitsubishi resurrected the Sapporo name for theirMitsubishi Galant Sapporo. However, this version was an unrelated front-wheel drive, four-doorsedan.
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Introduced in Japan in December 1976, the Lambda was described not as acoupé but a "personal luxury car", as Mitsubishi already had theLancer-basedCelestecoupé in its line-up. It competed in Japan with theToyota Crown,Nissan Cedric,Nissan Gloria, and theMazda Cosmo coupes newly introduced to Japan. In Australia, the car was imported from Japan as a flagship model ofChrysler Australia's successfulSigma range.
| Mitsubishi Galant Λ (Lambda) - 1st gen | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 1976–1980 Japanese-market Mitsubishi Galant Lambda | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
| Production | 1976–1980 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.6 L4G32I4 1.8 L4G62 I4 2.0 L4G52 I4 2.0 L4G63Tturbo I4 2.6 L4G54 I4 2.3 L4D55turbodiesel I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual 3-speedautomatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,515 mm (99.0 in) |
| Length | 4,510 mm (177.6 in) |
| Width | 1,675 mm (65.9 in) |
| Height | 1,330 mm (52.4 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,035–1,105 kg (2,282–2,436 lb) |
| Mitsubishi Galant Λ (Lambda) - 2nd gen | |
|---|---|
 1981 Mitsubishi Sapporo 2000 GL | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
| Production | 1980–1983 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,530 mm (99.6 in) |
| Length | 4,650 mm (183.1 in) |
| Width | 1,700 mm (66.9 in) |
| Height | 1,355 mm (53.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,148–1,205 kg (2,531–2,657 lb) |
In the mid-1970s, smallerpersonal luxury cars were a growing trend.[6] Pursuing this market segment, the Lambda/Sapporo featuredframelessdoor glass with noB pillar between the front and rear side windows, canopyvinyl roofs, velour upholstered interiors, wheel covers withwhitewall tires, and numerous power assists.
In 1980, the second generation featured styled steel wheels with blackwall tires, less chrome trim and interior courtesy lights, a fuse box with fuse built-in test light and under seat as well as console storage —' and a radio antenna incorporated into the trunk lid.
The wheelbase and bodywork were lengthened with a revised roofline while remaining within the Japanese Governmentdimension regulations. Revisions offered increased shoulder room, front and rear leg room, headroom and trunk capacity[7][8] — and merited a new chassis code, shifting fromA120 toA160.[7] The shifter was moved closer to the driver, and ventilation was improved. The interior provided additional carpeting,acoustic dampening materials, and a double-thickness front bulkhead.[8]
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The Mitsubishi Galant Lambda was available with a variety of engines, including diesel, several normally aspirated gasoline engines, and one of the earliest applications of the long-runningturbocharged 2.0 L4G63T engine in the top GSR model which also featured independent rear suspension. It was available in the North American market in one basic configuration, which combined the GSR's close-ratio transmission, a live axle rear suspension, and a larger engine. Reardisc brakes andalloy wheels were available together as a package. Other US options were minimal;air conditioning,cassette player,automatic transmission,cruise control,power door locks,power mirrors,power windows, and amoonroof.[9]
The American, Australian, and Japanese-market 2.6 LAstron engine helped introduce Mitsubishi's then-newSilent Shaftbalance shaft engine technology, which minimized the inherent vibration of a large four-cylinder in-line engine. Japanese buyers were liable for more annualroad tax for selecting the 2.6 L engine over the smaller engines. The US version also featured a "Jet Valve", a small secondary intake valve that improved emissions by enhancing swirl in the combustion chamber, allowing for utilizing of a leaner fuel mixture. A similar engine without the Jet Valve was available in Mitsubishi-built trucks and the Canadian versions of the Sapporo/Challenger. It was also used in many ChryslerK-cars and their derivatives.
Beginning in 1980, Japanese versions were available with electronic fuel injection, or a new 2.3 L Astron turbodiesel engine.[10]
The suspension was revised for the 1980 model year (the second generation), with improved geometry in front and an all-new four-link rear suspension. The turbo models were introduced, of which some came with independent rear suspension (as later applied to the Starion).[11] The second generation also brought variable-assist power steering, which provided increased assistance at low speeds and less at higher speeds.[12] It was also slightly bigger, with increased foot room, headroom, and luggage space.
The Galant Lambda GSR was a predecessor to the more sportingMitsubishi Starion based on the same chassis and drivetrain. The Starion continued the rear-wheel-drive Galants' model codes, being called theA180, while the newfront-wheel-drive Galants started afresh from E10.[11]
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The car was marketed in North America as acaptive import of theDodge andPlymouth divisions of Chrysler. The cars differed only in minor details, such astaillights, interior trim, and available colors. Although mechanically identical, theDodge Colt Challenger was positioned to appeal to the performance segment, while the Plymouth Sapporo (which rather oddly for a captive import, was named aftera Japanese city) targeted the luxury market. The earliest Dodge Colt Challengers were available only in a two-tone silver/charcoal paint to enhance its sportier nature. For the 1979 model year, four more color combinations became available.[13] Equipment was complete for the time, with remote opening trunk, electrically controlled exterior mirrors, map lights, crushed velour seats, etcetera. The larger-engined cars included four-wheel disc brakes as standard; both engines were available with a five-speed manual or a three-speed automatic.[14]
As in other markets, the Challenger/Sapporo received all-new bodywork for the 1981 model year. Originally a 1.6 L four was also available, but the second generation North American market cars received only the 2.6 Linline-four withbalance shafts and 105 hp (78 kW).[8] The Dodge versions became simply the Dodge Challenger after 1981, dropping the "Colt" part of the name. An electricsunroof was also new.[8]
Although the car received generally positive reviews, it was unsuccessful in the United States. The Challenger and Sapporo were discontinued after the 1983 model year to make way for the products of the newly formed Chrysler-Mitsubishi joint venture,Diamond-Star Motors, as well as the entrance of Mitsubishi into the American market under its name. The same platform and 2.6 L engine under the Challenger and Sapporo were continued through 1989 as theConquest sports car.
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