Gross power claimed was 97 PS (71 kW) at 6700 rpm and the car was fitted with Rostyle wheels as also used on locally assembled Hillman Vogues.

Although the earlier Colt had been imported in limited numbers, this generation, in 1.6-litre coupé 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.

Introduced on 24 May 1973 (on sale 1 June) in the Japanese domestic market, the second generation Galant was more widely exported as Mitsubishi's ambitions grew.

This new Galant model was more curvaceous, influenced by contemporary "coke bottle styling", and featured a range of larger 'Astron' engines developing up to 125 PS in 2000 cc form to complement the 'Saturn' units.

The Estate (A112V, sold as a commercial vehicle in Japan) was only available with the 100 PS 1600 engine, in Custom, GL, or SL-5 (with a five-speed manual transmission).

Australian content was quite high and included a locally-made 2.6-litre 'Astron' four (introduced 1980) which, in December 1985, replaced the 1.6, 1.85 and two-litre engines used in other export markets.

Mitsubishi had limited resources, and the large choice of engines for the Galant lineup was reduced to one 1.6 and one 2.0, with 86 and 105 PS (63 and 77 kW), at the beginning of the 1979 model year.

From 1982 to 1983, some of the Australian Sigmas, which had the carried-over 2.0 or 2.6-litre locally made inline-four engine, were exported to the United Kingdom with the Lonsdale badge, in en effort at circumventing the voluntary import quota restrictions adopted by Japanese manufacturers.

While continuing with the Galant Λ/Eterna Λ label for the domestic Japanese market, the fourth generation was known as the Mitsubishi Scorpion in Australia, and the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Sapporo in the United States.

Thanks to the more compact drivetrain, however, passenger space increased noticeably and the boot grew from 272 to 360 litres (9.6 to 12.7 cu ft) while the liftover edge was significantly lowered.

The mid-model refresh was offered for 1987, adding redesigned seats and the availability of a five-speed manual transmission and leather upholstery, and remained until 1990, sold alongside the sixth generation Galant.

The top SE versions notably featured 'Sigma' branded alloy wheels, digital instrumentation, climate controlled air conditioning, cruise control, speed-dependent intermittent wipers and a salmon-brown coloured interior treatment, the treatment changing deep red colour as a running change in 1985 on this model.

The V3000 was developed specifically to give Mitsubishi New Zealand a six-cylinder family car, suitable for towing boats and caravans, to compete with the imported Ford Falcon (EA) and Holden Commodore (VN) models.

For the top-of-the-line VR models, an intercooled turbo-charged 4G63T "Sirius Dash 3x2" engine that automatically switched between two and three valves per cylinder depending upon throttle response and therefore allowing both economy and performance, was fitted, along with self-levelling suspension, climate-controlled air-conditioning, blue velour interior, steering wheel-controlled audio functions, and 15-inch alloy wheels.

A limited edition based on the GTi-16v model was introduced in 1989, modified by German tuning company AMG (owned by Mercedes-Benz since 1999), with mildly uprated engine (170 PS or 125 kW or 168 hp) and unique body kit, alloy wheels, and full leather interior.

The Galant's 4G63 two-litre DOHC turbocharged engine and 4WD transmission was later adopted for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with little modification and would remain in production for fifteen years.

The lineup consisted of Viento and VX-S/VZ-S models featuring the higher output 1.8 and 2.0 Turbo DOHC engines with both automatic and manual transmissions available.

The V-series featured the VR-4 interior, exterior design and updated bumpers (without side skirts), clear indicator lens covers, optional two-tone body paint, as well as standard air conditioning, full electrics, rear windscreen wiper, spoiler and alloy wheels.

In October 1993, Mitsubishi introduced a trim level for this model called "VX-R", offered a 2.0 L MIVEC version of the 6A12, a high revving naturally aspirated V6 engine with more aggressive tuning.

Production in the United States began on 24 May 1993 when the first seventh generation Galant rolled off the assembly line in Normal, Illinois.

In Europe were also available 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) naturally aspirated 2.5 L 24-valve DOHC engine, which was mounted with four-wheel drive, 5-speed manual transmission and four-wheel-steering.

[citation needed] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test ratings for 1997 and 1998 Galant:[51] The eighth-generation 1996 model continued the 1992's design themes but a five-door station wagon (known in Japan as the Legnum, derives from the Latin word regnum, meaning regal power or rank) was added while the five-door liftback was dropped.

The front suspension design switched from multi-link to struts, though the rear was upgraded with a stabilizer bar standard on all but the base DE model.

The ES, LS and GTZ models were offered with a 195 hp (145 kW) V6 engine, the 6G72 3.0 L, mated to a standard four-speed conventional automatic.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash test ratings for 2001 Galant without side airbags:[51] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash test ratings for 1999–2002 Galant with side airbags:[51] The United States has had the sedan-only ninth-generation PS platform model since October 15, 2003.

Furthermore, the Ralliart trim was the first Galant to receive Mitsubishi's updated infotainment system (MMCS) featuring a 7-inch touchscreen display with GPS navigation.

Four-cylinder Galant models sold in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont are certified as Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicles (PZEV), with the engine rated 155 hp (116 kW).

[63] Osamu Masuko, the CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, indicated that the ninth generation of the Galant would be the last to be manufactured in North America, to be replaced on the MMNA production line in Illinois by smaller vehicles which are more likely to appeal to export markets.

Taiwan was one of the first regions outside the Americas to market the ninth generation vehicle, when the Galant Grunder was launched in December 2004 with a unique front end.

20 limited edition TMR models (Team Mitsubishi Ralliart) were made towards the end of the car's production at the Tonsley Park factory in Adelaide, running a supercharged version of the 3.8 6G75 with 230kW and 442Nm.