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Did you attend the Chicago Auto Show this year?

Did you join the massive crowds surrounding the Mitsubishi exhibit for thepublic unveiling of the ’99 Galant that arrives in showrooms this month?

Did you watch the gyrating models in rather form-fitting attire performingwhat loosely could be described as a dance around the Galant–a routine thathad mothers covering their children’s eyes with one hand, their husbands’ withthe other.

After watching 30 minutes of gyrating to build excitement for the Galantunveiling, did you stay to see the models step aside so you could view the carand say, like most did, “Bring back those gyrating models.”

The Prowler could upstage the models. The Beetle could upstage the models.The Galant couldn’t, and didn’t. The Galant unveiled at the Chicago show wasdoctored up. The wheels and tires were oversized and designed for show eventsand not the ones offered on the production model.

The body on the Galant at the show was lowered a few inches so more of theoverhead lighting would bounce off the body panels, which meant it didn’t sitplumb with the suspension system underneath and looked squat.

And the drab silver (or was it white? hard to tell) body finish made itinvisible among the hundreds of surrounding vehicles.

In short, the Galant you saw in McCormick Place wasn’t a very memorablemachine. Hey, that’s show business. But there is good news. The car nowarriving in showrooms bears less resemblance to the one at the auto show nowthat the gimmicks have been removed.

The production model Galant is pleasantly and attractively designed so itdoesn’t get lost in the crowd. And it doesn’t simply look like one moremidsize Japanese sedan that you can’t find in the parking lot unless you haveyour license plate memorized.

The all-new ’99 Mitsubishi Galant is not only restyled but is now poweredby a choice of 4-cylinder and, for the first time, V-6 engines. And you canget only 4-speed automatic, no 5-speed manuals until later in the year andthen only in the ES with 4-cylinder engine.

That 4-speed automatic is an electronic unit that “reads” your drivinghabits (heavy or light foot) and adjusts the shift points accordingly foroptimum mileage as well as smooth, non-jerky shifting.

The V-6 is important because Galant’s midsize Japanese rivals don’t offer aV-6 or, if they do, bump the price up considerably.

The 4-cylinder is basically the same 2.4-liter as has been in the Galant,but with a slight boost in horsepower to 145 from 141, and in torque to 155foot-pounds at 3,000 r.p.m. from 148 foot-pounds. That lift in torque makesfor lively movement off the line and makes you feel as if a V-6 might behidden under the hood.

The new 3-liter, 195-h.p., 24-valve V-6 is the choice for quieteracceleration yet more guts when it comes time to pull into the passing lane orlope up the hill without gasping for breath.

The 2.4 comes to life at the light, the 3-liter after you are at cruisingspeed and need a jolt to change lanes. The four is for those zero- to30-m.p.h. dashes, the V-6 for the 55- to 75-m.p.h. bursts.

Typically when given a choice of 4 or V-6, the V-6 gets the nod. But thisis one of the few cars in which we’d settle for the 4. It delivers 21 m.p.g.city/28 m.p.g. highway versus 20/28 for the V-6. In either case, that’s goodmileage.

Galant hadn’t offered a V-6 though Mitsubishi had a 2.5-liter V-6 it coulddrop in, the same engine it supplies to Chrysler for its coupes built atMitsubishi’s plant in Downstate Normal.

Word is that in a few unofficial, don’t-let-the-boss-see-what-we’re-doing,drag races in the company parking lot, the 2.4 4 took the 2.5 V-6 and thusGalant has settled for the 4 and waited for a more potent 3-liter V-6.

Galant comes in DE, ES, LS and GTZ versions. We tested the ES with the 4banger and the LS with the V-6. The DE doesn’t come out until later in theyear as a bottom-line price leader, and the GTZ performance sedan with sportssuspension and deck-lid spoiler wasn’t available at the mini-preview theautomaker held here for the Midwest Automotive Media Association.

The new Galant is a key ingredient in Mitsubishi’s recipe for growth. Itwill serve as the platform for a redesigned and larger Mitsubishi Eclipse formodel year 2000 as well as the upcoming restyled Chrysler sport coupes thatwill follow that Eclipse and be built at Normal.

As is typical with Japanese nameplates, Galant comes rather well equipped.All models have as standard air conditioning, AM/FM with cassette, powerwindows, power door locks, 12-volt accessory outlet, intermittent wipers, twotripmeters, solar tinted glass, cabin dust/pollen filter and automaticheadlamp shutoff.

As you move up to ES, you add more chrome trim, fog lamps, leather-wrappedsteering wheel, remote keyless entry, cruise control, dual illuminated vanitymirrors and woodgrain accents. The LS adds wider bodyside moldings, leatherseats, power driver’s seat and an upgraded sound system. The GTZ addscolor-keyed grille, deck-lid spoiler, white-faced instrumentation that’s allthe rage and looks as out of place in the car as gyrating models in body suitsin McCormick Place and a sports-tuned suspension for optimum handling.

As also is common with Japanese nameplates, there are a few *’s. You canget the 4-cylinder or the V-6 and when you opt for the V-6, you get larger16-inch tires that offer more paw print to grip the road better.

And then there’s the premium package that you can add to an ES or LS forabout $2,500 and includes four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock (standard onV-6 models), side air bags housed in the front seats so they move with youwhenever the seat position is changed, power glass sunroof, panic alarm on thekeyless entry, a universal transmitter for garage door opener or securitygates.

Obviously, a Galant without the premium package is a few bricks short ofthe optimum load. So while Galant prices start at $16,990 for the DE, $17,990for the ES, $19,990 for the LS and $24,350 for the GTZ, count on adding $2,510for a complete package.

Galant is roomier and peppier and has better road presence in terms ofstable ride and fairly precise handling than its predecessor. Gas shocks andfront and rear stabilizer bars contribute to its road manners.

And the suspension system with the V-6 is a little stiffer than with the4–stiff meaning you’ll feel more tar marks but experience quicker response tosteering input and the ability to cut the corners shorter in turns. The16-inch tires teamed with the V-6 help, of course. Mitsubishi promises evencrisper handling with the GTZ.

But, it does have some faults, one being that ABS is standard with the V-6,but an optional afterthought with the 4-cylinder to keep the base price down.

Also, while the seats are fairly comfortable (the cloth looks a bit dull),the side bolsters could extend farther to offer more support in aggressivemaneuvering.

And when you take a couple passengers along, the folks designated forsteerage don’t have the benefit of wide-opening rear doors to make for easierentry/exit. When they do slip through the narrow door opening, they’ll findknee room somewhat tight.

And it would be appreciated if Galant offered some type of traction assistor control. If Saturn can offer traction assist in $14,000 to $18,000 sedansand coupes, Galant should be able to figure out the puzzle in its $16,000 to$24,000 sedans. And don’t look for a Galant coupe; the Eclipse built on thesame platform that’s coming for 2000 covers that market.

Other than side air bags, nice features include an arrow in the dashpointing to the location of the fuel-filler door, thick lower-body cladding toreduce the likelihood of dents and dings a n d a focus on cabin noisereduction.

Also, there’s a convenient deck-lid opener in the driver’s door, right siderear seat pass through to accommodate skis slipped through the spacious trunkthat features a flat floor to keep items from jiggling, and a steering systemtweaked so that when you move the wheel, the tires respond without naggingdelay.

In 1998 Mitsubishi sells about 50,000 Galants each year. It hopes the newmodel will boost demand to 70,000 units annually.

>>1999 Mitsubishi Galant ES
© 1998 Chicago Tribune Wheelbase: 103.7 inches Length: 187.8 inches Engine: 2.4-liter, 145-h.p., 16-valve 4-cylinder Transmission: 4-speed automatic Fuel economy: 21 m.p.g. city/28 m.p.g. highway Base price: $17,990 Price as tested: $20,500. Includes $2,510 for Premium package with alloywheels, power glass sunroof, front-seat side air bags, heated mirrors, ABS andHomeLink transmitter for garage-door opener. Add $420 for freight. Pluses: Larger dimensions. Roomier. More powerful engines and for firsttime a V-6. Larger tires for better ride and handling. Side air bagsavailable. Minuses: ABS an option. Seat bolsters a tad small. Rear doors don’t openwide. Cloth seats look a bit cheap. Knee room tight in back. Galant still nota household word like Camry or Accord. >>