Most memorable Mitsubishi car models through the years

Mitsubishi Galant GTi

The GTi is the sixth generation Galant’s special model and is the brand’s first front-engined manual transmission sedan to feature Mitsubishi’s legendary 4G63 16-valve double overhead camshaft engine in the Philippines. Outputting 145ps and 172 Newton-Meters of torque, people saw it as an Asian brute in a suit back in its heyday. It helped that the Galant GTi looked like its rally-legend sibling, the Galant VR4 which featured a turbocharged version of the 4G63, all-wheel drive and 4-wheel steering as well. Today, many enthusiasts have swapped in a turbocharged version of the 4G63 to give their Galant GTi’s more power to keep up with more modern metal. It’s still a relevant tuner car in today’s aftermarket scene and also a highly desirable model.

Mitsubishi Lancer (boxtype)

Arguably the single most popular car in the 80’s and remains a highly sought after and collectible Mitsubishi. Introduced in  1981 and sold all the way until 1987, the Lancer ‘boxtype’ as local enthusiasts called was a revolution: bigger, wider and unfortunately heavier than its predecessors. The ‘boxtype’ came with a variety of 4-cylinder engines that featured balancer shafts to reduce engine related NVH and an innovative MCA-JET system meant to improve combustion efficiency, power and fuel economy whilst reducing exhaust emissions. The truly desirable ones were the imported 1800GSR and GT Turbo models. Today, a wide array of modifications and engine transplants from newer vehicles is possible and despite being rather portly for its size, has the race and rally heritage of its more prominent and newer siblings like the Galant VR-4 and Lancer Evolution series. An affordable modern classic one can still drive everyday.

Mitsubishi Pajero

In the late 80’s to early 90’s, the country was in the midst of an economic boom but roads and other public infrastructure had yet to catch up. Mitsubishi’s Pajero offered a unique and stylish solution to show newfound wealth mixed with go-anywhere ability in a charming yet highly capable package. Powered by the now legendary 4D56 engine, the Pajero might not have been fast, but its ability to tackle most rough roads made it a favorite for engineers, architects, contractors and politicians alike. To this day, the Pajero enjoys a cult following among enthusiasts. The second generation Pajero was sold from 1994 to 2008 in the Philippines, a record length given a typical car’s lifecycle. This is all down to its price versus performance, establishing it as highly desirable and still relevant. Some models came with Mitsubishi’s 6G72 and 6G74 V6 gasoline engines (3.0 and 3.5 liters in displacement respectively) which delivered more refined performance, but the diesel remains to be the engine of choice for most local Pajero fans.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

For years, Mitsubishi fans in the Philippines could only wish for the Evolution: a purpose-bred, focused race and rally machine aimed at conquering the various stages of the world rally championship. At best, Filipinos could make do with a bodykit and an engine swap. But when Mitsubishi introduced a legitimate, left-hand drive Evolution, it was the fruition of many enthusiasts’ dreams. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines sold the Evolution IV, V,VIII, IX and X models in very limited quantity in the country. Expensive for your average Mitsubishi, but cheap in performance terms. The success of the Evolution helped prompt the feasibility and popularity of high-performance models of a mass-market vehicle in the country.

Mitsubishi Montero Sport

When Mitsubishi released the CRDi powered Montero Sport, it brought in a revolution of sorts. Power, torque and efficiency, coupled with far lower exhaust emissions means the everyday man could have sports car-rivaling performance. Tuners have been able to eke out so much more out of the 4M41, and later VGT equipped 4D56 turbocharged engines thanks to ECU reflashing. Today, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport is a true enthusiast’ vehicle.

Mitsubishi Adventure

The Mitsubishi Adventure isn’t exactly what one would call an enthusiast’ car, but when news of its imminent cessation was revealed, the general buying public was sad. Through the years, the Adventure had a massive fanbase of buyers. It was an all-around vehicle: family car, a vehicle for SME’s and a PUV platform. It’s simple design, a choice of both gas or diesel engine and decently-sized exterior footprint meant it could haul well above its weight class and last reliably for ages if maintained according to its PMS schedule. It truly was, a workhorse and another vehicle that helped power an entire economy.

Mitsubishi L300

If there is a single vehicle that truly encompassed Mitsubishi Motors Philippine’s life, it would have to be the L300. It was originally unveiled in 1979, but landed in the Philippines for local production in 1987. Overall, the car is pushing 40 years of age, and 32 here in the Philippines. Like the Adventure, the L300 was Mitsubishi’s do-anything, go-anywhere vehicle. When production halted  a year ago due to emissions-related legislation coming into effect, the public was deeply saddened by its passing. No car could ever be so cheap, so reliable and so flexible. Its simple construction meant it would last forever despite its modest 71hp diesel engine and crawl-worthy 1st gear. Overloaded L300 delivery trucks were commonplace.

Mitsubishi Mirage G4

The modern 3-cylinder Mitsubishi Mirage helped bring about a motoring revolution in the country. Today, it is one of the brand’s biggest volume seller, as it continues to help thousands of people become motorized for the first time. Launched in 2013, at a time the Philippines was experiencing massive motorization, thanks to finally hitting the US$3,000 per capita income level, the Mirage was the perfect car for the new market conditions, one which sent about competitors from Toyota and Honda scrambling for an alternative. Far lower interest rates from a solid and stable finance sector, coupled with the Mirage’s affordable retail price, gave it the sales success it very much needed. Today, the Mirage is enrolled in the Government’s CARS Program, aiming to deliver a production output of 200,000 units over a 6-year period. Truly an ambitious project but success is practically guaranteed, thanks to cost-conscious buyers lining up for one.