New Galant Fortis reveiled in Japan

[ritch_w]

I've bought one of these, 2.0 GS4 diesel saloon, and very nice it is too! a worthy replacement for the 8G IMO.
size is comparable to an 8G, spec on the GS4 is excellent (leather, sat nav, music server, all the electric toys etc). drive is very sporty, handling is superb for a FWD car better than the 8G. Fuel economy is superb at 45 - 48mpg with lots of thrashing! The only downside I can see so far is the quality of door plastics looks quite cheap and plasticy compared to the 8G. I'm looking into whether the door cards and plastics can be retrimmed in faux leather or alacntara or similar to improve the feel and quality.

[Ryan]

Some pics would be good please mate

[ritch_w]

Some pics would be good please mate

just these ones that the prev owner had taken last year
http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/vbpicga...?do=view&g=388

[HMG1K]

Looking really good, Ritch!

Is that a standard spoiler on the back, or an option?

Amazing that the car looks so small in the photos, compared to a 8G - but they're comparable on size!

Loved the quick write up you did!

[ritch_w]

Hi Phil

rear spoiler as is the rest of the car is standard

will get more photos after the next wash

[bradc]

Just a pity there isn't a wagon or a v6 version

[HMG1K]

Hi Phil

rear spoiler as is the rest of the car is standard

will get more photos after the next wash

Looking forward to them!

Your new motor looks really mean and moody that face!

Congratulations - and happy driving!

[Ryan]

That is a right smart looking car there.

[rees]

dont get me wrong but ....

my main problem with this car is when folk see it your gonna get the


"look an evo.....oh no its just a lancer ...never mind "

im honestly not tryin to piss on your fire because as cars go i think they look lovely and executive ,
but its just that stigma i cant get over

[HMG1K]

dont get me wrong but ....

my main problem with this car is when folk see it your gonna get the


"look an evo.....oh no its just a lancer ...never mind "

But that's like saying folk with the later standard 8G Galant models with the VR4 bodykit, that was slapped on the run-out models (me!), have people looking at their car and saying "look a VR4.... oh no it's just a Galant... never mind."

Never had anyone say that to me!

[ritch_w]

Stigma is quite harsh mate?

Certainly been asked at least a dozen times if its an evo to which I have laughed and replied "nah, its just a diesel" hardly a stigma and not something that bothers me, more of a compliment i think.

[MarkSanne]

If I'm correct there is a Galant Fortis turbocharged version which rivals it's Lancer EVO brother!

[HMG1K]

If I'm correct there is a Galant Fortis turbocharged version which rivals it's Lancer EVO brother!

In the UK we have the Lancer Ralliart - which is a 'soft' version of the Evo.

Not that 'soft' - and like you say Mark, it's a rival to the actual Evo.

Here's a review of the Ralliart version, one below the Evo in the line-up.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=337

[thfelipeth]

are you for real that's the new galant??? poooo!!!! lol i thought they would've done something different then an almost identical2009 lancer IMO. if they make a wagon out of that then they may have something...

[thfelipeth]

I've bought one of these, 2.0 GS4 diesel saloon, and very nice it is too! a worthy replacement for the 8G IMO.
size is comparable to an 8G, spec on the GS4 is excellent (leather, sat nav, music server, all the electric toys etc). drive is very sporty, handling is superb for a FWD car better than the 8G. Fuel economy is superb at 45 - 48mpg with lots of thrashing! The only downside I can see so far is the quality of door plastics looks quite cheap and plasticy compared to the 8G. I'm looking into whether the door cards and plastics can be retrimmed in faux leather or alacntara or similar to improve the feel and quality.

yea i know what you mean about the plastics, when i was in aussie a couple of weeks ago i hired one that looked almost the same, and the plastics are crap! nice ride and 6 speed tiptronic too.. but your hands get all sweaty from even the steering wheel, even putting your elbow on the door panels is annoying. anyway that's in IMO!

[thfelipeth]

This is the Galant Fortis - or Lancer Sportsback hatch that will launch in the UK in 2009

what is it with mitsubishi doing the big grill like AUDI???

[HMG1K]

are you for real that's the new galant??? poooo!!!! lol i thought they would've done something different then an almost identical2009 lancer IMO. if they make a wagon out of that then they may have something...

For some reason it's known as the Galant Fortis in Japan - but Lancer in other territories. The Galant Fortis was known as Lancer in Japan before this.

[ritch_w]

galant fortis sounds more premium!

must change badges

[rees]

the names obviously a cop out , itr bears no relation to a galant whatso ever

[HMG1K]

are you for real that's the new galant??? poooo!!!! lol i thought they would've done something different then an almost identical2009 lancer IMO. if they make a wagon out of that then they may have something...

I doubt very much there'll be an estate / wagon - proof is in the fact there's a hatchback to compliment the saloon.

Back in the late 80s / 90s when in the UK there was a 4th generation Galant / Sigma saloon, there was an estate too - no hatchback.

Once the 6th generation came along with saloon and hatch version, the estate was dropped.

Soon into the Galant hatchback's production run, Mitsubishi stopped producting the Sigma estate as there was a galant hatchback. The Sigma saloon was made in Japan and the estate in Australia, like the 4th generation was, an the estate badged for a time as a Lonsdale Galant / Sigma.

That continued in saloon and hatch versions on the 7G. Then the hatch was dropped in the 8G when the estate was reintroduced.