Mitsubishi 380

Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Motors Australia
Production	2005 – 2008
Assembly	Clovelly Park, South Australia, Australia
Predecessor	Mitsubishi Magna/Verada
Class	Mid-size car
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Mitsubishi PS platform
Engine	3.8 L 6G75 V6
Transmission	5-speed manual 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,750 mm (108 in)
Length	4,837 mm (190.4 in)–4,855 mm (191.1 in)
Width	1,840 mm (72 in)
Height	1,480 mm (58 in)
Curb weight	1,625 kg (3,580 lb)–1,670 kg (3,700 lb)
Related	Mitsubishi Galant

The Mitsubishi 380 is a mid-size car produced by Mitsubishi Motors Australia (MMAL) between 2005 and 2008. It is the successor to the line Mitsubishi Magna / Verada of vehicles first introduced in 1985. The company has spent over a $ 600,000,000 development and manufacture of the car, which is heavily based on the ninth generation Mitsubishi Galant designed in the United States. The 380 continued the MMAL tradition of producing front-wheel drive sedans for the Australian market, and with the Toyota AURION, competed against rear-wheel drive Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore car.

Even before the launch of the car, the 380 model stigmatized as the "make or break" for MMAL. After a slow start sales, the line-up have been updated with the Series II on 28 April 2006, with the entry-level model receiving a price discount of nearly 20%. To generate more interest in the car, a Series III revision came on 29 July 2007 with mainly cosmetic changes. These updates failed to lift sales, production still unprofitable MMAL stopped making 380 in March 2008.

History of development

The development of the DB series Mitsubishi 380 began in 2002, when company executives in Japan has given approval to MMAL to commence work on two closely related vehicles. The first of which is a right hand drive variant of the ninth generation Mitsubishi Galant, assigned the codename PS41. It was to be the replacement for the Magna and Verada. The second, which is planned to launch in 2007 was a long wheelbase version known as internal PS41L made in both left and right-hand drive configuration. However, as financial woes worsened Mitsubishi and DaimlerChrysler got out of the DaimlerChrysler-Mitsubishi alliance, PS41L abandoned in 2004 and the possibility of making this production PS41 looked doubtful. Company research conducted in mid-2004 revealed that 84 percent of Australians believe that Mitsubishi would cease production in Australia. To restore consumer confidence in the brand, before the launch of 380, a series of television commercials began airing in December 2004. Mitsubishi centralized around Australia then CEO Tom Phillips, the advertisements that promote the introduction of an industry-first five-year/130, 000 km warranty. Mitsubishi reworked a slogan from former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca, concluding their commercial with the tagline, "If you can find a better-built, better-backed car anywhere, then buy it".

2006 Mitsubishi 380 SX Series 2

2007 Mitsubishi 380 SX interior

In total, A $ 600 million was spent on developing the 380, including $ 250 million in upgrading the Adelaide production facility to manufacture the vehicle. This included the installation of a new press body, casting side of the body from an individual piece of steel. This has the effect of making the 0.7 millimeter (0.03 in) differentiation of body size from-the-body, compared to the industry standard 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters (0:04 to 0:06 in) in 2005.

Design

From the very beginning of the project, Mitsubishi has always intended that the PS41 is set apart from the North American Galant in terms of exterior-style. The problem is that PS41 had to share the same basic foundation and the side profile is to remain for the most part unchanged. A revamp of Clovelly Park facility allows for the use of more robust body. The consequence of this is the tooling required to make the panel. MMAL has provided an opportunity to make some low variances key to the design. It comes in the form of bigger front guards, a modified bonnet, new headlamps as well as grilles and bumpers.

2005 Mitsubishi 380 LX front view

2005 Mitsubishi 380 LX rear view

The front-end of PS41 was originally penned by Mitsubishi's chief designer, Olivier Boulay. Boulay was also responsible for the 2003 Magna / Verada facelift, but this update fared poorly with consumers. When DaimlerChrysler pulled out of their alliance with Mitsubishi in 2004, it put an end to Boulay-designed Mitsubishis. This allows for a last chance at advancing the exterior design. However, with little more than a year until production, design is shared between MMAL and its parent in Japan. The basic design was made by the Japanese studio, with design conceived local sports oriented.

Engineering

Compared to the Galant, there were changes in 70 percent of the car to create a car more allergic to the Australian market. Roads, legislation and consumer preferences are all driving forces behind the changes. The rear floorpan had to be overhauled to accommodate full-sized spare tire, and superior rear sidemembers are needed to improve towing capabilities. Improved body rigidity also face the Australian road conditions. The improved body stiffness resulted in better vehicle dynamics, which is also supported by the use of sophisticated suspension design, new shock absorbers and stabilizer bar.
The 380 is a sedan only, and is powered by an all-new 6G75 3.8 liter V6 engine. Not usually, the sports model does not have a more powerful engine than the cheapest entry level model. The five-speed manual 380 ES (a five-speed automatic is optional rapid ES) is actually the fastest car in the range. The 175 kW (235 hp) and 343 N · m (253 pounds · ft) engine is capable of propelling the car from 0-100 kilometers per hour (0-62 mph) in 7.6 seconds. Given the choice of gear ratio, the manual and automatic transmission equipment 380s had the same figure acceleration.

Specification levels

2008 Mitsubishi 380 GT Series III interior

The 380 Series III comes in four trim levels: ES, SX, VRX and GT. Available with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission, the standard features on the ES traction control, front and side air bags, automatic climate control air conditioning, power mirrors, power windows, power driver's seat, steering wheel-mounted remote audio controls, and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD). Also featured in the ES are alloy wheels and sports front bumper treatment with fog lights on the front. Next on the range, the auto-only SX adds sports seats with a unique gray trim, leather steering wheel, 6-disc CD stereo with multifunction color LCD screen, sport rear bumper, 17 "alloy wheels and sport-tuned suspension.
The VRX features a more comprehensive sports styling package, adding charcoal accents on the front and rear bumpers, a prominent rear wing, polished and painted 17 "alloy wheels. Inside the VRX is blue seat fabric added, as well as" VRX "embroidery on the front seats. Emboridered , silver-stitched leather is available as an option. the VRX is available with 5-speed manual or automatic transmission. range-topping GT model standard leather trim, painted and polished 17 "alloy wheels, integrated boot spoiler and chrome boot garnish and side rubbing strips. Mitsubishi offer no-cost option for luxury GT, aptly named the GLT. The GTL sport more conservative rear light treatment, silver-painted alloy wheels, SUNROOF and beige-on-black in treatment.
The Series III launch, Mitsubishi released two special edition variants. The Sports Edition, based on the ES, adds 17 "alloy wheels, high-profile rear wing, sport-tuned suspension, black interior trim and SUNROOF, for no additional cost.
The 380 VRX "Fusion Burst" is based on the VRX and comes in a limited edition orange color. Regardless of color, bursting Fusion comes with SUNROOF and matching seat fabric for no extra cost.

Sales, reception and end of Australian production

The 380 went on sale on October 13 2005. It is sold in fewer numbers than expected and on January 20 2006, MMAL announced voluntary redundancies will be offered to 250 production employees to bring production in line with customer demand. In March 2006 the manufacturing plant closed for three weeks.

2006 Mitsubishi 380 (DB) Limited Edition front view

2006 Mitsubishi 380 (DB) Limited Edition rear view

On April 28 2006, Mitsubishi announced price reductions with the introduction of the Series II upgrade. The entry model, now called the ES, was reduced from $ 34,490 to $ 27,990. An SX model was introduced, with price $ 32,990, while the LS model is dropped. Price VRX, LX and GT models also reduced the amount from $ 1,500 to $ 3,000. Mitsubishi announced that up to 1,500 retail customers who paid the old price will be eligible for a factory rebate of up to $ 2,000.
Mid to July 2007 saw the release of the 380 Series III, with a range of prices and changes designed to attract additional private sales and increase consumer interest. The prices of the ES model rose by $ 1000 but have been paid for by adding alloy wheels, fog lights and traction control.
MMAL was in conversation with Proton of Malaysia to the possibility of exporting the 380 to Malaysia as a rebadged Proton Perdana replacement model executive, however deals it will not succeed.

2007 Mitsubishi 380 DB Series 2 SX

380 received in 2005 Australia Best Cars Large Car award, as well as Insurance Australia Group rating as the most secure Australian family car, Safest Australian Car Built 2006 for its four-star ANCAP result, Best Fleet Car Delivery by Australia magazine, and Lowest Running Costs in the Australian Record Club motoring. The 3.8 liter engine won the award for engineering excellence from the Society of Automotive Engineers.
On February 5, 2008 Mitsubishi Motors Australia announced that the Clovelly Park plant was shut down on March 31, and Mitsubishi would pursue a "full import strategy" for the Australian market due to unviable 380 sales. The last Mitsubishi 380 sedan (a silver Limited Platinum Edition, as the body 32 044) left the production line on March 27, 2008. The car will be auctioned in late April 2008, with the final price $ 100,000 donation to the charity chosen in consultation with the winning bidder, a car dealership based in Western Australia.
In October 2009, the president of Mitsubishi Motors, Osamu angry revealed in hindsight that it "was good that we closed the plant in March 2008 because it is the time that the economy is still good [before the late-2008, the global financial crisis .. .] and employees find re-employment. "

Annual production and sales

Year	Production	Sales (Australia)
2005	11,077	3,548
2006	10,560	12,423
2007	10,230	10,942
2008	n/a	3,272
2009	nil	10

Gallery

2006 Mitsubishi 380 Series 2 VRX front view	2006 Mitsubishi 380 Series 2 VRX rear view
2006 Mitsubishi 380 SX Series 2	2007 Mitsubishi 380 VRX Series III 3.8L V6 engine
Mitsubishi 380 LX	Mitsubishi 380 Series III

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Last updated on 4 May 2013 at 12:11.