First Generation
| Production | 1964–1986 |
|---|---|
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine | 1,991 cc KE64 I6 (1964-1970) 1,994 cc 6G34 I6 (1970-1976) 2,555 cc 4G54 I4 (1976-1986) |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm (8.83 ft) |
| Length | 4,670 mm (15.32 ft) |
| Width | 1,690 mm (5.54 ft) |
| Height | 1,465 mm (4.806 ft) |
| Curb weight | 1,330 kg (2,900 lb) |
| Designer(s) | Hans Bretzner (1964) |
The Debonair was Mitsubishi's competitor to the Nissan Cedric, Prince Gloria, Isuzu Bellel, and Toyota Crown and during the first generations production, the appearance remained generally unchanged from 1964 - 1986, sharing an appearance tradition with the Toyota Century, that being iconically recognized as a senior executive sedan exclusive to the Japanese domestic market. Although it received several minor redesigns (denoted I through IV in Roman numerals), the vehicle proved popular enough in the Japanese executive market to remain in production for 22 years without major appearance modifications.
The Debonair was largely the result ot former General Motors designer Hans S. Bretzner, while the result shows to be largely influenced by the 1961 Lincoln Continental designed by Elwood Engel, as evidenced by the slab-sided body panels, squared wheel wells, extended protrusions at the front of the vehicle, and tapered fins at the rear, with a rear tail light cluster, exhibiting a "Continental" -esque appearance. It used a double wishbone front suspension with leaf springs and a differential for the rear axle for the entire generation.
Powered initially by the KE64 1,991 cc straight-six engine with twin carburettors and dual exhausts, it developed 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 5,000 rpm, and had a maximum speed of 155 kilometres per hour (96 mph). The front grille had a "MMC" badge, denoting the newly formed at the time Mitsubishi Motors Corporation creation. September 1970 the 6G34 "Saturn 6" (1,994 cc) engine was installed, and exclusive to the Debonair as the "Executive" trim package, increasing the engines power output to 132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp) which gave the car a top speed of 180 kilometres per hour (112 mph). The badge on the front grille was changed to signify the Saturn engine was installed, and a "MCA-Jet' badge was also included. The 1976 model saw the removal of a manual transmission, leaving the only choice of a three-speed automatic, sourced from Borg-Warner. When the 4G54 "Astron" 2.6 L four-cylinder engine was introduced June 1976, the trim package was renamed "Executive SE". The Debonair received additional technical advancements such as anti-lock brakes in 1979. The badge on the front grille was again changed to signify the engines displacement of "2600" and the "Astron 80" update.
Amazingly, the outdated first generation Debonair continued in production until the summer of 1986. By the end, its availability was largely academical: in its last full year of production (1985) a mere 205 units were sold in Japan.
Read more about this topic: Mitsubishi Debonair
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