Mitsubishi Galant - Fifth Generation

A fifth-generation model shifted to front-wheel drive for 1983 as a four-door sedan and hardtop (with different styling). This formed the basis of the widened (by 4 inches/100mm) Mitsubishi Magna in Australia for 1985, the same year in which Mitsubishi won Bild am Sonntag's Das Goldene Lenkrad (Golden Steering Wheel) award in Germany for the Galant and Wheels’ Car of the Year for the Magna. The station wagon was replaced by the Mitsubishi Chariot. The Galant was the third Japenese car to adopt four-wheel anti-lock brakes, using Bosch's ABS system.

Export trim levels were often engine-specific, depending on the market: GL models were offered with either 1.6-litre or 1.8-litre engines, GLS models (GLX in some markets) had 2.0-litre engines (badged 2000 GLS) and Diesel versions had a 1.8-litre Sirius turbodiesel engine. The diesel model did not have a trim level, it was simply the 1800 TD.

In the Japanese market there was also a parallel "Eterna" lineup with very minor differences in appearance and equipment. Equipment levels in Japan had more interesting names, ranging from the LS and LG via Super Saloon, Super Touring, Super Exceed, GSR-X, up to the most luxurious Royal. The top models for Japan (the "Super Exceed" sedan or "VR" hardtop) were powered by the 200 PS (147 kW) (JIS gross, later only 170 PS were claimed) turbocharged and intercooled "Sirius Dash 3/2 valve" engine. This engine switched between two and three valves per cylinder to combine high top-end power with low-end drivability as well being economical in operation.

This generation was largely replaced in 1988 by the sixth generation Galant (see below). The car continued to be produced in Australia however, as the TM-series Mitsubishi Magna, and the hardtop range continued in production until 1990 when it was replaced by the Sigma. However, the taxi-spec sedan fitted with a 1.8-litre LPG engine, continued in production for Japanese commercial use until December 1999 when Mitsubishi abandoned the taxi market.