Mitsubishi Magna: Австралия нарығына арналған орта класс автокөлік

Mid size car

The Mitsubishi Magna is a mid size car that was produced over three generations between 1985 and 2005 by Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL). Developed as a replacement for the Mitsubishi Sigma, each Magna generation derived from Japanese platforms re engineered for the Australian market and conditions. Initially, Magna offered inline four engines in a mid size sedan package—a station wagon debuted in 1987. Over the years, each new series grew in size, and with the second generation of 1991, the range was bolstered by a luxury variant called Mitsubishi Verada and a V6 engine. The Magna/Verada became the first Australian made vehicle to be exported worldwide in large numbers, predominantly as the Mitsubishi Diamante. The third and final iteration Magna/Verada launched in 1996, adding all wheel drive (AWD) from 2002, and receiving a substantial styling update in 2003. They were replaced by the Mitsubishi 380 in 2005. MMAL manufactured the Magna/Verada at its Clovelly Park, South Australia plant. The majority of its engines—most notably, the original four cylinder Astron II (codenamed 4G54) and subsequent Cyclone V6 engines (codenamed 6G72 and 6G74)—were manufactured at the Lonsdale, South Australia plant.

Following a claimed million development cost, initially as a sedan only model, but with a station wagon added in June 1987. It was manufactured at Tonsley Park, South Australia. MMAL designated this first, 1985 Magna as the TM series, with the 1987 and 1989 updates known as the TN and TP series respectively. Nevertheless, the Valiant was put out of production the following year, making the medium sized Sigma MMAL's largest offering. When a replacement became due, MMAL opined that a car's width was a crucial factor to Australian buyers who have traditionally favoured large cars. As a result, to compete more effectively against the large RWD rivals, viz. the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore, former Chrysler engineers now working for MMAL, developed a wider mid sized car specific to the Australian market. This model derived from the fifth generation Japanese Mitsubishi Galant Σ (Sigma), a front wheel drive (FWD) vehicle released in August 1983. Engineers accomplished this by splicing an extra of width through the Galant's body and by strengthening it for Australian road conditions. Mitsubishi Motors codenamed these cars as "YF" and "YFW"—"W" for "wide". To emphasise the size advantage of the Mitsubishi over other medium cars, it was named Magna—deriving from the Latin word magnus, meaning "big". The only major aesthetic difference of the Magna relative to its Japanese donor was the wider body, as the general styling and side profile were similar also thanks to shared tooling for doors, guards and pillars. the Magna trumped the latter for interior space due to the inherently superior packaging offered by the FWD layout. As the enlarging added minimal weight and the overall footprint remained smaller compared to rivals, the Magna could make do with a big bore four cylinder engine instead of the more traditional six cylinder engines used by Holden and Ford. The engine of the Magna was the Australian made 2.6 litre transversely mounted inline four cylinder engine. Codenamed 4G54 and marketed as Astron II, it was a development of the Astron engine (codenamed 4G52) fitted to Sigma. It initially produced at 5000 rpm and at 3000 rpm. Astron II was an eight valve single overhead cam (SOHC) design with advanced features for the time, such as hydraulic mounts and "Silent Shaft" counterbalancing technology, designed and licensed to other automakers by Mitsubishi Motors to reduce the vibrations inherent in large four cylinder engines. In the TM series, these engines were carbureted, with Mitsubishi's "ECI Multi" electronic fuel injection (EFI) version launched with the TN series, boosting power to
Magna was fitted with either a five speed manual or a four speed ELC automatic transmission with electronic control and overdrive (a button on the shift lever providing the ability to switch between the default three speed mode or overdrive four speed). The Executive and luxury Elite models, however, were available only in automatic. In terms of suspension, Magna's front comprised MacPherson struts front design and, at the rear, a three link torsion beam axle with coil springs (specifically, a torsion beam axle, located by two trailing arms and a Panhard rod).

At launch in April 1985, August 1986 saw the range expanded with a better than GLX equipped model known as the "Executive". Aimed at fleet buyers, this new variant added full plastic wheel coverings, standard power steering and manual or automatic transmission with air conditioning as the sole option. The luxury oriented models—SE and Elite—featured higher equipment: seats were covered in velour trim with the driver's seat being seven way adjustable (instead of four way); lumbar support for driver and passenger; rear integrated headrests and folding centre armrest with boot access; map lights and remote boot release; power windows, central locking and alloy wheels (standard on Elite and optional on SE); metallic paint standard (two tone standard on Elite and single tone optional on Elite and SE); radio/cassette players (featuring a novel security system that would make the unit completely inoperable in the event that its power was disconnected) with the Elite also adding a rear quarter panel electric antenna, separate equaliser and steering wheel controls. In addition, instead of standard control steering stalks and ventilation panel on the centre console, both the SE and Elite had two steering side pods, thus bringing all major controls within a driver's fingertips and making them jointly height adjustable with the steering column. Elite also featured an LCD instrument panel, in line with the Japanese automotive trend in the late 1980s. Common to all models were a tilt adjustable steering and cable operated fuel filler door release. Non Elite models also had a roof mounted manual antenna above the right A pillar and the following optional equipment: air conditioning (GLX, Executive and SE), power steering and automatic transmission (GLX and SE). Sale prices were a key critical factor in Magna's market competitiveness, since for less money, MMAL was able to sell a more refined and economical package relative to its main rivals. This was especially reflected in the merits highlighted under the "value for money" category of the Wheels Car of the Year title won by Magna in 1985. The TM series was marred by various quality control problems (chiefly, fragile engine heads and automatic transmissions), which were gradually rectified throughout the life of the first generation.

April 1987 brought the first update to Magna, designated TN. Manual transmission was now available on the Executive. In September 1990, a Grand Tourer model of 1,000 sedans came to the market with bigger wheels, the Elante's tauter suspension set up and EFI. The TP sedan remained in production until April 1991 whereas the station wagon continued to be sold alongside the new TR series Magna sedan until May 1992. Several limited editions were introduced to support sales. These included the GLX based Encore sedan and wagon of May 1991 with air conditioning as standard. This series was designated TR and carried over its powertrain from the previous generation. MMAL estimated that, between 1989 (when the project started) and the wagon's arrival in 1992, the total investment in the new Magna totalled some Both Magna and Verada shared the same body, although the latter featured a unique grille and larger bumpers from the US export models as well as luxury fittings. The Australian made 3.0 litre V6 was codenamed 6G72 and marketed as Cyclone. Its outputs ranged from at 5500 rpm and at 4000 rpm on ULP 91, to at 5500 rpm and at 3000 rpm on PULP. The automatic transmissions used by both four and six cylinder models was marketed INVECS. While Australia continued to endure the early 1990s recession, MMAL's ambitions to compete more directly with Ford and Holden with a six cylinder Magna remained on hold. Finally, in 1993, with the economy recovering and oil prices stabilised after the Gulf War, the Verada's V6 engine was offered on Magna for the first time—albeit as an option. This 3.0 litre V6 was only available on the Executive, which was also equipped with larger 15 inch wheels and different interior trim. A small "V6" badge on the boot lid distinguished the six from the four cylinder model. At launch, the TR series comprised the Magna Executive sedan, SE sedan, and the automatic sedan only Elite. Of the V6 engined Verada range, the Ei version was equipped to about the same level as a Magna SE, with the exception that air conditioning was standard. The top of the range Verada Xi also included alloy wheels, keyless door entry, climate control, cruise control, an upmarket sound system, steering wheel controls for cruise and sound system, power windows, electrically adjustable driver's seat, power antenna, and security system. 120 with manual and 280 with automatic transmission; standard interior colour was blue with Albans trim replacing Dawson trim; exterior paint available were only Sarajevo White, Mirage Silver and Calypso Red; extra features included: V6Si decal to right hand side deck lid and both front quarter panels; 5 spoke 15 inch alloy wheel (type J42); body coloured grille, side protection mouldings, front and rear mud flaps; deck lid spoiler including high mounted stop light; dual exhaust muffler outlets; air conditioning; ABS brakes).

In April and July 1996, MMAL respectively released a new generation Magna and Verada, which were broadly based on the pillar less Japanese second generation Diamante. The cost of the Australian project was some and both cars won the 1996 Wheels Car of the Year award, with judges praising the car's value for money. As was the case with the second generation, the TE and KE series shared the same platform, which was codenamed "YR". Their bodies were bigger ( higher and longer than the TS series but close to the KS series) and stiffer (13 percent more) yet only marginally heavier (by less than ) The V6 returned official city and highway fuel consumption figures of and , respectively. In New Zealand, the V3000 badge was retired and the new Diamante sold there consisted of rebadged Australian models of both the Magna and Verada, instead of Diamantes with exclusive specifications for all other world export markets. The Executive was the entry level model that featured: power steering, four speaker sound system, power mirrors, remote boot and fuel filler release, central locking and an engine immobiliser. The Altera model, which was a mid entry level model, added: air conditioning, power windows and cruise control. Options included: airbags for driver and passenger, ABS, a CD player and alloy wheels. Subsequent additions to the model range included the Advance (safety package) and the Altera LS (mid luxury package), which featured ABS, airbags, CD player and alloy wheels as standard. The TE series was launched with an initial palette of eight colours. Four were carried over from the previous TS Magna (i. e. Paris White, Calypso Red, Arctic Blue, and Maderia (maroon)) and another four were newly introduced (i. e. Silverleaf (silver), Kashmir (light beige), Greenstone and Embassy (charcoal grey)). A short lived Olive Green colour was made available late production in the TE/KE production and Atlantis Blue (dark sapphire blue pearl) was unique to the Verada. The TE and KE series were the most aerodynamic car produced ever in Australia even compared to the VF Commodore or FG X Falcon, with an amazing This achievement was due to a sweeping roofline (which, however, compromised rear headroom) and such things as "flag" external rear view mirrors, fixed to independent door posts instead of being more traditionally mounted directly on the front door A pillar triangle. A wagon version was launched in March 1997, with a , but was quickly replaced by the TF series equivalent three months later.

The TF/KF series was introduced in June 1997. Magna's range consisted of five models: Executive, Advance, Altera, Altera LS and Sports. The 2.4 litre four cylinder engine was seen only in the Executive. These cars offered redesigned wheel covers, speed limit alert and upgraded interior trims, which included cup holders. The Executive and Advance were identical in appearance but the Advance had a different interior trim and was fitted as standard with airbags and ABS. The full colour coded Altera and Altera LS introduced power windows and several other options such as dual front airbags. Manual transmissions became only available on Executive, Advance, Solara and Sports. From June to August 1998, a limited edition Solara was introduced and it included all Advance features as standard, plus: alloy wheels, colour coding, "Solara" badging on the rear doors and at the bottom right hand side of the boot. The Magna Sports was available in only four colours: Paris White, Calypso Red, Nautilus Blue (deep blue), and Frontier Green (deep green), the latter two colours being new to the TF series. This new model carried all the standard features of the Executive model on which it was based, plus a deck lid spoiler, red side strip, 16 inch alloy wheels (same as the Verada Ei, but polished), and unique interior trims such as a metal style instrument cluster fascia. Its V6 was standard as on all Magnas, however, only the Sports could be optioned with a manumatic Tiptronic four speed automatic transmission featuring for the first time on an Australian built car, a manual shifting function (via a second transmission gate plane to the right of standard gear positions, with "push forward" upshifts and "push back" downshifts). The Sports had improved handling characteristics thanks to the addition of an 18 mm rear swaybar (a rear bar swaybar was not fitted to the standard Magna), 11 percent firmer rear springs, firmer upper control arm and trailing arm bushes, and suspension height lowered by 10 mm. Options included dual airbags and ABS. This specific model represented MMAL's foray into the Australian sporty family passenger car sector, as well as an initial and long overdue departure from the more conservative Japanese product planning. The Sports' production ceased after September 1998. The 3.5 litre engine that powered the KF series Verada was identical to that fitted to the KE series. Its main changes, like the TF series Magna, included new wheel designs and cabin trim, revised colours and a specification adjustment – such as an over speed warning device, cupholders and standard dual front airbags. Several new colours (Cocoon White (pearl white), Astral Blue (metallic blue), Lugano Green (pearl blue/green) and Burra (pearl dark red/bronze)) were introduced during the later production of the TF series and the final unit built came out in December 1998. About 60,000 TF Magna's were built and over 5,000 KF Verada's for Australian roads.

The TH series was launched in March 1999 with the earliest examples built in December 1998. The cost of this upgrade (including Verada models) reached , which went towards increased availability of the 3.5 litre V6 engine and a matching manual transmission as well as specification and trim changes across the range. On the engine front, in fact, due to slow sales and growing consumer preference for more powerful engines, Magna's imported four cylinder was dropped. At this time, the 3.0 litre V6 became standard and Verada's 3.5 litre engine also became a Magna option. The 3.0 litre V6 was fitted only to the Executive, while all other models could be powered by the previous Verada's 3.5 litre V6 (optional on Executive). Cosmetic changes included revisions to the basic design of the car, such as a more aggressive front grille, redesigned rear, revised interiors, redesigned wheel covers and alloy wheels. Air conditioning was made standard across the range. A number of colour changes also occurred: Calypso Red was replaced with Sienna Red, while Sable Black pearl (pearl black with green flakes) took the place of Embassy grey. Riversand, a new strong beige metallic colour, was also introduced in April 1999 as were Mawson White, a brighter more pure white (pictured right) and Pewter (metallic silver), which replaced Silverleaf. Island Blue and Glacier Green (aqua blue/green) were two other new colours used on the TH but are rare. The TH and KH series claimed the honours of being the first Australian made car with a four channel ABS featuring an Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) system—a Bosch 5.3 module. Another new key feature was an 8 function trip computer and integrated anti theft alarm system. The model range included: Executive (manual and auto); Advance (manual and auto); Altera LS (auto) and Sports (manual and Sports Mode automatic). MMAL also became the first Australian manufacturer to offer a traction control system labelled "TCL" (meaning, Trace Control Logic), which was switchable and initially available only on Magna Sports. A limited edition Solara was reintroduced later in 1999 as well as the V6 Si in April 2000. Altera LS was discontinued at the end of 1999, due to its closeness to the Verada Ei. The 1999 models lacked V6 badges but the 2000 models often featured these on the back lower right end of the boot lid. The last TH series production between May and June 2000, were 1000 Executive LS units (automatic only), which were similar to the discontinued Altera LS but without power windows, dual airbags and less colour coding (e. g. unpainted black mirrors). A Magna Sports participated in the Australian GT Production Car Championship, with varying successes, driven by MMAL engineer and privateer, Robert Chadwick. The vehicle featured front limited slip differential (LSD) later brought to production on the TJ series Magna Ralliart.

In April 2003, an Australian made vehicle was previewed internationally for the first time, thanks to the new KL series Diamante (based on the new Verada) being displayed at that year's New York Motor Show. Australia had to wait for the launch of the TL and KL series (codenamed "XR") until July 2003. The new series featured restyled front and rear ends, and mildly revised mechanicals and interior trims. The project was said to have cost over (including alone for the radical new headlights) and the range no longer featured Executive, Altera or Sports models, which had been replaced by ES, LS and VR, respectively. The only carryover badge remained VR X. A limited edition "Solara" was reoffered, carrying electric windows, alloy wheels and deck lid spoiler. Full leather trim became an option on the VR X and the export Diamante went on sale in Canada for the first time. A Ralliart accessorised VR and VR X Limited Edition from March 2004 was marketed with the aid of Mitsubishi rally driver, Ed Ordynski. These models featured the TJ series Magna Ralliart's Koni suspension components and Enkei alloy wheels but no upgraded engine or brakes relative to the rest of the range. A new VR X AWD model was also announced at this time, going on sale 1 August (with the update for both models labelled MY04) but only offering 16 inch wheels as opposed to the 17 inch version fitted to the 2WD. VR Xs were now distinguished by body coloured headlight bezels, a body coloured upper grille, silver mesh lower grille, a platinum coloured rear bumper insert (except for Platinum coloured cars, which received a Sable insert), and an extended chrome exhaust outlet. Mitsubishi adjusted the model range, with the Magna LS sedan (but not wagon) disappearing from the range, the base Magna AWD becoming the Magna LS AWD sedan, and the addition of the Verada GTVi AWD sedan, a combination of the former KL Verada GTVi and Verada AWD. The Platinum, Zen, and Fusion paint colours added to the KL MY04 VR X in June were now available on most models. In addition, MMAL launched an advertising campaign that starred MMAL's then CEO Tom Phillips stating to potential customers "If you can find a better built car—buy it!". This approach recycled the advertising used by Chrysler in the US in the early 1980s, when Lee Iacocca used a similar slogan. Both strategies helped reduce the number of stockpiled vehicles from 5,500 in September 2004 down to 800 by June 2005—an important requirement in the lead up to the launch of the Mitsubishi 380 replacement in October. Given its long serving architecture and slow sales from circa 2000, MMAL management specifically excluded the Magna as a name for its replacement—the eventual 380. However, TL and TW Magnas became popular in the second hand market given their sound engineering, reliability and low resale values—the latter due in part to heavy discounting when new and also of its 380 successor.