Mitsubishi 380

Mitsubishi 380
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Motors Australia
Parent company	Mitsubishi Motors
Production	2005–2008
Assembly	Clovelly Park, South Australia, Australia
Predecessor	Mitsubishi Magna/Verada
Class	Mid-size car
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Mitsubishi PS platform
Engine(s)	3.8 L 6G75 V6
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2750 mm (108.3 in)
Length	4837 mm (190.4 in)–4855 mm (191.1 in)
Width	1840 mm (72.4 in)
Height	1480 mm (58.3 in)
Curb weight	1625 kg (3583 lb)–1670 kg (3682 lb)
Related	Mitsubishi Galant

The Mitsubishi 380 is a mid-size car that was produced by Mitsubishi Motors Australia (MMAL) between 2005 and 2008. It was the successor to the Mitsubishi Magna/Verada line of vehicles first introduced in 1985. The company spent over AU$600 million developing and producing 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 along with the Toyota Aurion, competed against the rear-wheel drive Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore vehicles.

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

History of development

The development of the DB series Mitsubishi 380 began in 2002, when company executives in Japan gave approval to MMAL to commence work on two closely related vehicles. The first of which was a right-hand drive variant of the ninth generation Mitsubishi Galant, designated the codename PS41. This was to be the replacement for the Magna and Verada. The second, which was planned to be launched in 2007 was a long-wheelbase version known internally as PS41L to be produced in both left- and right-hand drive configurations. However, as Mitsubishi's financial woes worsened, and DaimlerChrysler pulled-out of the DaimlerChrysler-Mitsubishi alliance, PS41L was abandoned in 2004 and the likelihood of PS41 making it into production looked doubtful. Company research conducted in mid-2004 revealed that 84 percent of Australians (roughly four out of every five) believed that Mitsubishi would cease production in Australia. To reinstate consumer confidence in the brand, before the launch of the 380, a series of television commercials began airing in December 2004.Centralised around Mitsubishi Australia’s then CEO Tom Phillips, the advertisements promoted the introduction of an industry-first five-year/130,000 kilometre warranty. Mitsubishi reworked a slogan from former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca, concluding their commercials with the tagline, "if you can find a better-built, better-backed car anywhere, then buy it".

Original front-end styling of the base 380 also shared by the LS and LX models.

In total, AU$600 million was spent on developing the 380, including $250 million on upgrading the Adelaide production facility to manufacture the vehicle.This included the installation of a new body press, casting the body sides from an individual piece of steel. This has the effect of producing a 0.7 millimetre (0.03 in) size differentiation from body-to-body, compared to the industry standard of 1.0 to 1.5 millimetres (0.04–0.06 in) in 2005.

Design

Right since the beginning of the project, Mitsubishi always intended that the PS41 would be distanced apart from the North American Galant in terms of exterior styling. The problem was that PS41 had to share the same basic foundation and the side profile was to remain for the most part unchanged. A revamp of the Clovelly Park facility allowed for the use of more robust bodies. The consequence of this is the tooling required to produce the panels. This gave MMAL the opportunity to make several low key variances to the design. These came in the from of larger front guards, a revised bonnet, new headlamps as well as grilles and bumpers.

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

Engineering

Rear view of a Mitsubishi 380

Compared to the Galant, there have been changes to 70 percent of the car to create a car more suited to the Australian market. Roads, legislation and consumer preferences were all driving forces behind the changes. The rear of the floorpan had to be overhauled to accommodate a full-sized spare wheel, and superior rear sidemembers were required to improve towing capabilities. Body rigidity was also improved due to Australian road conditions. This improved body stiffness then brings advances to vehicle dynamics, which are also supported through the use of a sophisticated suspension designs, new shock absorbers and stabiliser bars.

The 380 is a sedan only, and is powered by an all-new 6G75 3.8 litre V6 engine. Unusually, the sports model does not have a more powerful engine than the cheapest entry level model, although an update to the engine is in the pipeline and power is said to increase to 190 kW (255 hp) for sports models (up from 175 kW). An anomaly is that the manual 380 ES (an automatic transmission is optional on the ES) is actually the fastest vehicle in the range. The 380 outputs 175 kW (235 hp) and 343 N·m (253 ft·lbf) of torque, and is mated to a five-speed sequential automatic or five-speed manual.

Specification levels

2007 Mitsubishi 380 ES Sports (Series III) interior.

The 380 Series III comes in four trim levels: the ES, SX, VRX and the GT. Available with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission, standard features on the ES include 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 brakeforce distribution (EBD). Also featured in the ES are alloy wheels and sports front bumper treatment with front fog lamps. Next in the range, the auto-only SX adds sports seats with a unique grey trim, leather steering wheel, 6-disc CD stereo with multifunction colour LCD display, sports rear bumper, 17" alloy wheels and sports-tuned suspension.
The VRX features a more comprehensive sports styling package, adding charcoal accents on the front and rear bumpers, high-profile rear wing, polished and painted 17" alloy wheels. Inside the VRX, blue seat fabric is added, as well as "VRX" embroidery on the front seats. Emboridered, silver-stitched leather is available as an option. The VRX is available with a 5 speed manual or automatic transmission. The range-topping GT model features standard leather trim, painted and polished 17" alloy wheels, integrated boot spoiler and chrome boot garnish, and side rubbing strips. Mitsubishi offer a no-cost luxury option for the GT, aptly titled the GTL. The GTL sports a more conservative rear light treatment, silver-painted alloy wheels, sunroof and a beige-on-black interior treatment.

At 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, sports-tuned suspension, black interior trim and sunroof, for no extra cost.

The 380 VRX "Fusion Burst" is based on the VRX and comes in a limited-edition orange hue. Apart from the colour, the Fusion Burst comes with sunroof and matching seat fabric for no extra cost.

Sales, reception and the final curtain on Australian production

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

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, priced at $32,990, while the LS model was dropped. Prices on VRX, LX, and GT models were also reduced by amounts ranging from $1,500 to $3,000. Mitsubishi also announced that up to 1,500 retail customers who paid the old price would be eligible for a factory rebate of up to $2,000.

Mid-July 2007 saw the release of the 380 Series III, with range and price alterations designed to attract further sales and increase private buyer interest. The price of the ES model rose by $1000 but was compensated for by the addition of alloy wheels, fog lights and traction control.

Mitsubishi sold 9,266 units of the Mitsubishi 380 in 2006 up to August.

MMAL was in negotiation with Proton of Malaysia on the possibility of exporting the 380 to Malaysia as the rebadged replacement of the Proton Perdana executive model, however this deal did not succeed.

The 380 received the 2005 Australia's Best Cars Large Car award, as well as Insurance Australia Group's rating as the most secure Australian family car, Safest Australian Car Built 2006 for its four-star ANCAP result, Best Fleet Car by Delivery Australia magazine, and Lowest Running Costs in the Australian Motoring Clubs Report. The 3.8 litre engine won an award for engineering excellence from the Society of Automotive Engineers.

In New Zealand, the Mitsubishi 380 is very similar to the Mitsubishi Galant marketed in Mexico, although it doesn't get the 4-cylinder models offered there.

A two-page statement released by Mitsubishi Motors Australia on the February 5, 2008 announced that the Clovelly Park plant would be shut down on March 31, 2008 and Mitsubishi would pursue a "full import strategy" for the Australian market due to unviable 380 sales.

The last Mitsubishi 380 sedan (a silver Platinum Limited Edition, body number 32044) left the production line on Thursday March 27, 2008. The car was auctioned in late April 2008, with the $100,000 final price being donated to charities chosen in consultation with the winning bidder, a car dealership based in Western Australia.