Remember
those TV ads? People keep waving at Mitsubishi's new Galant as it cruises the
city, past busy corners, shoppers, a biker with a broad smile. At the end, it's
obvious why. A charming preschooler, in his rear child seat, waves at everyone
outside like a little prince. Isn't
that just like Mitsubishi buyers? When you thought the trendiest people with smooth
moves would stay forever tuned to soft rock on their full-decibel sound systems,
they sneak up on you and start growing a family. That's where Galant fits in. According
to the Mitsu folks, this next generation, new-from-the-ground-up version of its
staple midsize sedan was designed with tantalizing sports car lines sweeping back
to a powerful rear deck, kick-in-the-throttle oomph, and the implication it possesses
more interior room than a Boeing 747. Real world, its the largest Galant sedan
ever ($18,000 to $26,000 range), whose strong, trendy styling avoids shouting
"practical," but whispers it just the same. The
new, all-steel base is lighter, stronger and more rigid for safety. We found it
added crispness to the vehicle's performance (especially the 230-horsepower, 3.8
liter V6) when cutting through tight road curves in the rolling Virginia countryside.
Among driving features: Four-wheel, independent suspension, five-mile bumpers,
plus traction control and ABS with electronic braking on the upscale LS and GTS.
There's
no need to scrunch-in shoulders with five people inside. There's space throughout
to relax on long trips. An easier-loading trunk has non-intrusive hinges. The
fun stuff includes Sportronic semi-manual shift for the two "up" models,
17-inch aluminum alloy wheels for the premium GTS, and sunroof, leather and cold
weather option packages. In incomparable Mitsubishi style, gauges glow ice-blue
for added zing. Call it a "family sedan for the spirited family" in
a segment where boring can often outweigh bold.
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