Publication: Motor Fan
Format: “Bubble Index” Road Test
Date: January 1970
Author: Atsuro Sasaki, Kazuhiko Sanbon, Yasuhei Oguchi, Masahide Sano, Atsuhiko Okubo

Opening the new “Comprehensive Road Test” series is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ ambitious new effort, the Colt Galant. Among its many variations, the AI (1300cc) Custom–intended to be the best-selling model of the line–was chosen as the subject of our examination.

With both its body and engine being entirely new designs, the evaluation group approached this test in high spirits and with considerable anticipation…

Publication: Car Graphic
Format: Road Test
Date: March 1970
Author: “C/G Test Group” (uncredited)

Summary: Very easy-to-drive five-seater sedan. Outstanding performance in its class, very smooth and well-balanced powertrain, slightly low-geared, generally quiet, exhaust system resonance increases at medium speeds, drum brakes prone to fade if used frequently, very comfortable.

Road testing the Mitsubishi Colt Galant AI Custom

The 1289cc Galant AI comes in four variations: the lowest-priced Standard (518,000 yen), the Deluxe (568,000 yen), the Custom (596,000 yen) with heat-absorbing glass and reclining seats, and the Sports (636,000 yen) with disc brakes in the front, wood-rimmed steering wheel, and round gauges. The car we tested this time was the Custom purchased by C/G for long-term testing, which had only been driven about 2,000km at the time of this writing. In other words, it was still a brand-new car. We were reluctant to bring a car that was not yet fully run-in to Yatabe and conduct top-speed testing (we often have to make such unreasonable demands to meet the tight schedule of the magazine), but to our surprise, this AI not only withstood the testing without complaint, but also proved that the performance data claimed by the manufacturer is not at all exaggerated. That is, the maximum speed measured over a 1km straight section was 147.0km/h (145km/h in the catalog), and the 0-400m acceleration was 18.6 seconds (18.3 seconds in the catalog), which is an outstanding dynamic performance for a pure family sedan in the 1300cc class.

Publication: Car Graphic
Format: Road Test
Date: March 1970
Author: “C/G Test Group” (uncredited)

Summary: High performance version of the Galant, SOHC 1.5-liter engine, revs smoothly up to over 7000rpm, extremely responsive across the entire range, exceptional fuel economy, variable ratio steering with good response, handling generally excellent, but tends to oversteer early on standard tires, good value for money.

Road testing the Mitsubishi Colt Galant AII GS