Summary
The Mitsubishi Galant Coupé FTO is a rear-wheel drive coupe produced by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors from November 1971 to March 1975.[1] "FTO" was meant to stand for Fresco Turismo Omologato, in a fine example of Japanese Italian. The compact Coupé FTO can be seen as the replacement for the earlier Mitsubishi Colt 11-F Super Sports.[2]
| Mitsubishi Galant Coupé FTO | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
| Production | 1971–1975 |
| Assembly | Okazaki, Aichi, Japan (Nagoya Plant) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door hardtop coupé |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.4 L Neptune 4G41 I4 (1971–73) 1.4 L Saturn 4G33 I4 (1973–75) 1.6 L Saturn 4G32 I4 (1973–75) |
| Transmission | 4/5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,300 mm (90.6 in) |
| Length | 3,765 mm (148.2 in) |
| Width | 1,580–1,655 mm (62.2–65.2 in) |
| Height | 1,320 mm (52.0 in) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste |
The FTO was first introduced with an 86 or 95 PS (63 or 70 kW) 1,378 cc 4G41 "Neptune" engine,[3] until it was replaced in a February 1973 redesign by a pair of 1,597 cc 4G32 "Saturn" powerplants, offering either 100 PS (74 kW) or 110 PS (81 kW) depending on the state of tune. There was also a 1,439 cc Saturn engine, offering 92 PS (68 kW). In October 1973 there was a minor facelift, and the lineup was restricted to four versions as the EL, GS, and four-speed SL versions were cancelled.[4] Production gradually came to an end in August 1975, after the introduction in March that year of the more staid Lancer Celeste.[2]
The FTO was based on the chassis of the first generation Mitsubishi Galant, shortened by 12 cm (5 in) for extra agility and lightness. It carried the chassis codes A61 (Neptune 1.4), A62 (Saturn 1.4), and A63 (Saturn 1.6).[3] 1600 GSRs built before October 1974 (when safety standards were changed) received black plastic wheelarch extensions to accommodate a wider track, resulting in an even more aggressive look. The GSR also featured a standard limited slip differential.[4]
The FTO name was again resurrected twenty years after production of the original had ceased, when the company introduced the front-wheel drive Mitsubishi FTO in 1994.
Data edit
Primary data sources for each model are given in the first row. Data sourced elsewhere is referenced in each individual cell where it is used.
| Mitsubishi Galant Coupé FTO | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G I, G II[5] | G III[3] | 1400 EL, GL, SL–5[6] | 1600 SL, SL–5[7] | 1600 GS–5, GSR[7] | ||
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive | |||||
| Transmission | 4-speed manual | 4/5-speed manual | 5-speed manual | |||
| Suspension F/R | Coil sprung independent MacPherson struts, anti-roll bar / Live axle and semi-elliptic leaf springs | |||||
| Brakes | front | drums, G II: discs | discs | drums or discs | discs | |
| rear | drums | |||||
| Wheelbase | 2,300 mm (90.6 in) | |||||
| Length | 3,765 mm (148.2 in) | |||||
| Width | 1,580 mm (62.2 in) | 1580–1655 mm
(62.2–65.2 in) | ||||
| Height | 1,330 mm (52.4 in) | 1,320 mm (52.0 in) | ||||
| Empty weight | 820 kg (1,808 lb)
G II: 825 kg (1,819 lb) |
835 kg (1,841 lb) | 830 kg (1,830 lb) | 860 kg (1,896 lb) | 875 kg (1,929 lb) | |
| Engine | Neptune 4G41 (A61) | Saturn 4G33 (A62) | Saturn 4G32 (A63) | |||
| Water-cooled OHV inline-4, two valves per cylinder | Water-cooled SOHC inline-4, two valves per cylinder | |||||
| Displacement | 1,378 cc (76.5 x 75.0mm) | 1,439 cc (73.0 x 86.0mm) | 1,597 cc (76.9 x 86.0mm) | |||
| Carburetor | 1 twin-barrel Stromberg | 2 single-barrel Stromberg | 1 twin-barrel Stromberg | 2 single-barrel SU | ||
| Power (JIS Gross) | 86 PS (63 kW) at 6,000 rpm | 95 PS (70 kW) at 6,300 rpm | 92 PS (68 kW) at 6,300 rpm | 100 PS (74 kW) at 6,300 rpm | 110 PS (81 kW) at 6,700 rpm | |
| Torque | 11.7 kg⋅m (115 N⋅m; 85 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm | 12.3 kg⋅m (121 N⋅m; 89 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm | 12.5 kg⋅m (123 N⋅m; 90 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm | 14.0 kg⋅m (137 N⋅m; 101 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm | 14.2 kg⋅m (139 N⋅m; 103 lb⋅ft) at 4,800 rpm | |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h (99 mph) | 165 km/h (103 mph) | 165 km/h (103 mph) | 175 km/h (109 mph) | 180 km/h (112 mph) | |
| Acceleration (0→400m) | n/a | 17.2 s | n/a | n/a | 16.4 s[8] | |
| Tires | 6.15 × 13 4PR | 6.15 × 13 4PR
optional: 155 SR13 |
n/a | 155 SR13
GSR: 175/70 SR13 | ||
References edit
- ^ Koichi Inouye (1987). World Class Cars Volume 30: Mitsubishi, Daihatsu & Suzuki. Tokyo: Hoikusha. p. 108. ISBN 4-586-53330-7.
- ^ a b Gazoo.com. "Great Car Pavilion: '71 Mitsubishi Galant Coupé FTO". Toyota Motor Corporation. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28.
- ^ a b c Car Graphic: Car Archives Vol. 5, '70s Japanese Cars. Tokyo: Nigensha. 2007. p. 79. ISBN 978-4-544-09175-5.
- ^ a b "FTO Story". Galant GTO Network.
- ^ World Cars 1972. Bronxville, NY: L'Editrice dell'Automobile LEA/Herald Books. 1972. pp. 363–364. ISBN 0-910714-04-5.
- ^ Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 74/75. Milano: Editoriale Domus S.p.A. 1974. pp. 458–460.
- ^ a b TAM 74/75, p. 460
- ^ Mitsubishi Galant Coupé FTO, catalog. Mitsubishi Motors, 1973.
- Mitsubishi Motors history, 1971–80, Mitsubishi Motors South Africa website
- Mitsubishi Galant FTO specifications, Histomobile