Mitsubishi->ke58’s product offensive and commitment to the American market took a very public step recently with comments from top company executives quoted in the Detroit Free Press indicating the 2015 Galant and a possible Montero Sport replacement are in the cards after years of being missing in action.

The latest hints from the secretive company presage what many experts predict to be a surprise reveal of the production-ready Galant sedan concept at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Show->ke1834 starting November 22nd of this year.

The new 2015 Galant is expected to soften some of the sharpest corners of the 2008 Mitsubishi Concept ZT pictured here, as well as insert the Outlander’s sophisticated gasoline, diesel and hybrid powertrain choices to ready the car for sale.

Replacing the once-stylish U.S.-market Galant as well as the unloved Diamante that stopped production after the 2012 model year, the new sports sedan is charged with filling the void above the company’s brand-new 2014 Mirage and Outlander Sport. Prices start at a projected $26,000 up to $35,000 for the plug-in hybrid model, with the car’s arrival in U.S. showrooms in summer 2014 expected.

The dimensions of the next Galant are expected to match the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, as the car aims to be Mitsu’s key large sedan model across a variety of markets in Asia, Australia, EMEA and the Americas.

Click past the jump for the speculative preview of the 2015 Mitsubishi Galant, with high-res images of the Concept ZT whose styling forms the template for this hot upcoming model.

2015 Mitsubishi Galant

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Mitsubishi Galant
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 166 @ 6000
  • Torque: 162 @ 4200
  • Transmission: CVT Auto
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The styling of the Concept ZT offers all the drama and presence of the top luxury marks, and even shares the long and luxurious proportions of the upcoming Cadillac CTS from some angles. The concept’s 110.8-inch wheelbase and luxury-size overall length and width are actually spot on the dimensions of the plus-sized latest Accord and Camry.

The concept’s aluminum space frame chassis is dropped for production in favor of a high-strength steel design that brings more cabin room and a bench seat for three in back, versus two for the tech-laced ZT’s rear bucket seats.

The shield grille design will carry over to production to help give the Mitsubishi sedan some of the planted stance from its Lancer Evolution sibling. The production Galant is expected to keep the chrome-trimmed, full-frame trapezoidal grille of the Evo but make it wider and a bit more flowing to match the bumper and fender graphics. A painted middle bumper breaks up the shape, while concave gloss black grille bars create a cohesive and upmarket image.

A single shoulder crease will wrap the styling of the body sides and slow directly into the lamp and bumpers as on the latest Outlander’s exterior. Proportions of the production Galant will take a step toward mainstream versus the concept, with a less-raked rear glasshouse as well as more feasible side mirrors and wheels.

Out back, integrated exhaust finishers are expected in the techno-sharp bumper design, while the Outlander Sport-syle LED taillights wrap the boxed trunk shape in a premium and futuristic way. Integrated creasing to wrap the lights and bumper should offer an end point to the long shoulder-line that flows from the front.

2015 Mitsubishi Galant Preview – Exterior Dimensions (Est Based On Concept ZT):

Wheelbase (in.)

110.8, Est

Length (in.)

194.9, Est

Width (in.)

71.7, Est

Height (in.)

56.7, Est

Track - Front (in.)

61.2, Est

Track - Rear (in.)

61.2, Est

Weight (Pounds)

3634, Est

Drag Coefficient

0.31, Est


Interior

The interior of the Mitsubishi Outlander pictured above offers the best guidance for the production Galant’s cabin design. The Galant is expected to mirror the latest Outlander’s single binnacle style, with a high-mounted central touchscreen living in a piano-black housing.

The climate controls live on the lower edge of this high-mounted vertical control face, with cup holders and gearstick in a separate center console below.

The Galant may trade the front-mounted cup holders for a wider console, but overall styling will keep the new high-quality black plastics used elsewhere in the Outlander. Build quality and durability should be excellent, but standard equipment will include cloth seats and a conventional radio unit.

Many of the Outlander’s active safety features are expected to be offered on the Galant, including collision prevention and active cruise control.

Fitting the Outlander's large PHEV battery in the Galant will present a challenge, possibly including a trunk as small as the Accord Plug-In Hybrid at 8 cubic-feet. (About half what a large trunk usually offers).

2015 Mitsubishi Galant Preview – Interior Dimensions:

Front Seating Capacity

2

Rear Seating Capacity

3


2015 Mitsubishi Galant Preview – Standard Interior Features (Estimates Based On Mitsubishi Outlander):

- 6 speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 player audio system

- Air conditioning with micron filter

- Heating ducts for 2nd row passengers

- Electric assist power steering

- Remote keyless entry: Anti-theft engine immobilizer; Anti-theft alarm system

- Halogen headlamps

- Power windows and door locks

- Tilt & telescopic steering wheel

- Cruise control

- Intermittent rear wiper with washer

- Speed-sensitive windshield wipers

Galant SE adds over Galant ES:

- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob

- FUSE Handsfree Link system with USB/iPod port

- 140-Watt Digital HD Radio/CD audio system with MP3 playback capability and 6-inch touch-panel display audio screen

- High contrast meter with full color MID-display

- Heated front seats

- FAST key passive entry system with push button on/off engine switch

- Rearview camera system

- Automatic dual-zone climate control

- 18-inch alloy wheels

- Fog lamps

- Available Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive with Active Front Differential (AFD)

Galant GT – Additional Features:

- 3.0-liter V-6 MIVEC engine

- 6-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters

- Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) with Active Front Differential (AFD)

- Super-wide beam High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights

- SiriusXM satellite radio

- Rain-sensing windshield wiper system

- Exterior chrome beltline accent

- Wood appearance trim

Drivetrain, Suspension and Brakes

While diesel engines, a plug-in hybrid and the TC-SST gearbox all made appearances on future Mitsu sedan concepts recently, the U.S.-market Galant will launch with conventional gasoline engines that mirror the Outlander. The base 166-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is paired with a CVT automatic for a projected 9.1 second sprint to 60 mph but highway cruising economy at a projected 31 mpg.

The Galant GT (using the trim descriptions from the Outlander) will offer a smooth-revving aluminum V-6 displacing 3.0 liters. The 224-horsepower engine brings a conventional six-speed automatic for a quicker pace at all speeds, down to a 7.5-second projected 60 mph sprint time for this top engine.

Mitsubishi’s S-AWC all-wheel-drive system is compatible with this platform and makes sense on the GT trim level, with added performance and all-weather confidence. Its inclusion in the American-market Galant is not yet confirmed.

Hybrid power is possible a year or so after the car’s initial launch, with possible mild hybrid and full plug-in hybrid variants available. Mitsubishi is keen to leverage its expertise from the i-MiEV program across its core models, with even the next Evo tipped for electrification.

2015 Mitsubishi Galant Preview – Mechanical Details (Estimates Based On 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander):

Trim Level

Galant ES and Galant SE

Galant GT

Engine Size and Type

2.4-liter 16-valve I-4 With SOHC And Mivec VVT, Est

3.0-liter 24-valve V-6 With SOHC And Mivec VVT

Peak power (Horsepower)

166 @ 6000, Est

224 @ 6250

Peak torque (Pound-feet)

162 @ 4200, Est

215 @ 3750

Transmission

CVT

6-speed Automatic

0-to-60 mph

9.1 seconds, Est

7.5 seconds, Est

Top Speed (mph)

122, Est

130, Est

EPA Fuel Economy MPG (City/Combined/Highway)

26/28/31, Est

21/26/28, Est


Safety

The safety of the future Galant will be top notch, with advanced chassis design and numerous helpful safety features to keep occupants from harm.

2015 Mitsubishi Galant Preview – Standard Safety Features:

- Reduced-weight body; RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) chassis safety cell construction

- Dual-stage front air bag SRS with front passenger occupant sensors, curtain side air bags, driver’s knee air bag, and front seat mounted side-impact air bags

- 7 airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) including side curtain airbags, driver’s knee airbag, a completely redesigned new airbag for the driver’s seat

- Brake Pedal Recession Protection Structure to reduce driver leg injury in the event of a high-speed frontal impact; enhanced pedestrian protection with the redesigned hood and front fenders

- Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

- Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control Logic (TCL)

- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

- Hill Start Assist (HSA)

Pricing

The future Galant’s pricing are projected to start in the mid $20,000s and head upward to $31,000 for the V-6 GT models. The car is tipped to arrive in American dealer lots next summer summer as a 2015 model year.

Competition

The 2015 Galant will compete with the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry for volume sales, and with a handful of alternative mid-size sport sedans for enthusiast buyers.

2015 Mazda6

The latest Mazda6 blends premium styling and proportions with advanced powertrains and light-weight chassis designs. The result is a handling enthusiasm that makes the Mazda6 a world away from the boring-to-drive Altima or Camry. The Mazda6 blends low-roof styling with a large back seat, something that may rank it ahead of the Mitsubishi Galant's unknown rear legroom tally.

2015 Buick Regal

The Buick Regal offers finely-honed European performance dynamics and some sutble styling refinements for 2014. The base Regal engine are now the eAssist four-banger or the potent turbocharged version that was previously a GS exclusive. The new turbo outputs in the base Regal mean this is a desirable hot rod once again.

Conclusion

Nailing enthusiast imaginations with a gorgeous concept is not nearly as hard as delivering a compelling production car based on that concept's shape. We've all seen dozens of potential masterpieces fall apart when moving from styling concept to production reality.

Unfortunately, even the curvy Outlander looked far better as a concept, which does not bode well for Mitsu's ability to bring the Concept-ZT's style forward without major simplifications. Even so, the gorgeous grille and pinched headlights finally look set to bring some of the Evolution's road presence to the mainstream Galant.

With flexible and efficient engines, the next Galant is shaping up to be nice looking, nice to drive and comfy for passengers. Stay tuned for all the latest updates on the future Mitsubishi Galant.

Category

Rating

Details

Driving

B

Above-Average Outlander Refinement Is A Good Indicator Of Future Galant Smoothness

Performance

B-

Unremarkable Engines Not Very Quick Or Efficient Without Hybrid Option

Look

A-

Hopefully Production Galant Shares Concept ZT’s Gorgeous Lines

Value

B

Unknown Pricing And Equipment But Good Build Quality Expected

Overall

B

Future Galant Will Be Big News For Sporty Sedan Shoppers