Ninth generation

Ninth generation

Also called	Mitsubishi Grunder
Production	2004–present
Class	Mid-size
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Mitsubishi PS platform
Engine(s)	2.4 L I4 3.8 L V6 3.8 L V6 MIVEC
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 4-speed semi-automatic 5-speed semi-automatic
Wheelbase	108.3 in (2,750 mm)
Length	190.4–191 in (4,840–4,850 mm)
Width	72.4 in (1,840 mm)
Height	57.9–58.2 in (1,470–1,480 mm)
Related	Mitsubishi Eclipse Mitsubishi Endeavor Mitsubishi 380
Designer	Olivier Boulay

The United States has had the sedan-only ninth-generation PS platform model since October 15, 2003. It was announced at the 2003 New York International Auto Show in April for the 2004 model year, following the exhibition of the SSS concept sedan at the North American International Auto Show three years before.^[7] The ninth-generation United States-sourced model is available for sale only in a few regional markets, namely North America, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Russia, Ukraine and Arabia. Russia began sourcing its Galants from the United States from 2006. The Arabian Markets began sourcing its Galants from the United States from the 2007 model year.

A size increase resulted in slightly more interior space and a weight gain of several hundred pounds. The 4-cylinder engine, while still 2.4 liters in displacement, upgraded from Mitsubishi's 4G64 design to the newer 4G69 design, resulting in a horsepower increase from 140 to 160. Likewise, the V6 jumped from a 3.0-liter with 190 HP to a 3.8 with 235. All North American Galants gained 4-wheel disc brakes but lost their rear stabilizer bar.

A Ralliart version joined for 2007, finally upgrading the V6 to a class-competitive 258 horsepower while also adding a firmer suspension, front strut tower bar, rear stabilizer bar, and 18-inch alloy wheels. For 2008, the trimming of models left the Ralliart as the only V6 model, and the Galant skips the 2008 model year in Canada, only to return in 2009 with the facelifted model.

Mitsubishi also assembles and markets a modified version of the ninth-generation Galant in Taiwan. Taiwan was one of the first regions outside the Americas to market the vehicle, when the Galant Grunder (now known simply as Grunder) was launched in December 2004 with a unique front end. In addition, this model is also sold in the Philippines as the Galant 240M using the 2.4 liter MIVEC engine.^[8] It is also sold in China.^[9]

A localized version called the 380 was manufactured in Australia for the Australia-New Zealand market, replacing the long-lived Magna line.

In Malaysia, spyshots have revealed that an early version of the 9th-generation Galant will be used as Proton's Perdana Replacement Model. The Perdana replacement will be equipped with a 5-speed semi-automatic gearbox that has a gated shifter, and will either use a 2.0-litre or 2.4-litre powerplant. Although it is quite likely that the Perdana Replacement Model is nothing more than a rebadged 9th-generation Galant (it is identical to the Mitsubishi 380 sold in Australia except for the brand badges), there is a possibility that Proton might scale up its Campro engine (which is of modular construction) to be used in the upcoming Perdana in order to keep costs low.

[edit] Facelifts

The Galant received a new grill for the 2007 model year, and for the 2009 model year, the Galant receives another facelift, with new front and rear fascias.

2007 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart

2009 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart from the Montreal Auto Show

2009 Mitsubishi Galant

A 4-cylinder Sport Edition was added for the 2009 model year. Galant Sport models include new standard factory value packages as standard. Sportronic automatic transmission is standard in all models, with a 4-speed for 4-cylinder engines and a 5-speed for V-6 engines.

Four-cylinder Galant models sold in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont are certified as Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicles (PZEV), with engine rated 155hp.^[10]

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, replaced on the MMNA production line in Illinois by smaller vehicles which are more likely to appeal to export markets.^[11]