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: Exceptionally easy-to-use five-seat sedan. Outstanding performance for its class. Extremely smooth and well balanced powertrain, though somewhat low-geared. Exhaust-system resonance becomes pronounced at medium engine speeds. Drum brakes prone to fade in repeated use. Very good interior accommodation.

Road testing the Mitsubishi Colt Galant AI Custom

The 1289cc Galant AI is offered in four variations: the lowest-priced Standard (518,000 yen), the Deluxe (568,000 yen), the Custom (596,000 yen), which adds heat-absorbing glass and reclining seats, and the Sport (636,000 yen), equipped with front disc brakes, a wood-rim steering wheel and round gauges. The car tested here was the Custom, purchased by C/G for long-term testing and still virtually new, with only about 2,000km on the odometer. We were not particularly happy about taking a car whose various components were not yet fully run-in to Yatabe, even subjecting it to a maximum-speed test (the tight schedules of magazine publishing often force us into such unreasonable measures), but to our surprise, this AI once again proved that the manufacturer’s claimed performance figures were entirely without exaggeration. Its maximum speed over the measured 1km section reached 146.95km/h (against a catalog figure of 145km/h), while its 0-400m acceleration was 18.6 seconds (catalog: 18.3 seconds). For a pure family sedan in the 1300cc class, this is outstanding performance.

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

Publication: Motor Fan
Format: “Bubble Index” Road Test
Date: November 1972
Author: Osamu Mochizuki, Katsuzo Kageyama, Tadao Suzuki, Yasuhei Oguchi, Reiko Ikuuchi, Kensuke Ishizu

Improved Fuel Economy with a 5-Speed

The Galant has undergone a minor update, highlighted by the addition of a new 5-speed transmission model. We wasted no time in putting the top-of-the-line L-Series version through its paces.

Expanding the Wide-Selection Lineup