Mitsubishi Debonair
Encyclopedia
The Mitsubishi Debonair is a four-door luxury car, introduced by Mitsubishi Motors
in 1964 to serve as their flagship passenger vehicle in the Japanese domestic market. Three distinct generations were available during its 35-year production run until it was discontinued in 1999. The first and second generation models were used by senior level executives of the Mitsubishi Group and affiliated companies, or essentially a Mitsubishi senior executive company car made by the motor vehicle division of Mitsubishi.
and Toyota Crown
and during the first generations production, the appearance remained generally unchanged from 1964 - 1986, sharing an appearance tradition with the Toyota Century
, that being iconically recognized as a senior executive sedan. Although it received several minor redesigns (denoted I through IV in Roman numerals
), the vehicle proved popular enough in the Japanese executive market to remain in production for 22 years without major appearance modifications. The market introduction of the Honda Legend
in 1986 influenced many traditional Japanese models to update the appearance of their vehicles, including the Debonair.
Powered by the KE64
1991 cc straight-6
engine with twin carburettors and dual exhausts, it developed 105 PS at 5,000 rpm, and had a maximum speed of 155 kilometres per hour (96 mph). During the 1970s, the Saturn 6
1994 cc straight-6
engine was adopted, boosting power to 132 PS and giving the car a top speed of 180 kilometres per hour (112 mph). Models from the later 1970s onwards were powered by Mitsubishi's Astron 2.6L 4-cylinder engine.
The Debonair was briefly offered in Europe during the 1960s, but demand reduced after Fiat introduced the Fiat 2300
.
format, a cost effective way to increase interior space without investing money on engineering in an executive sedan. It also came with Mitsubishi's first V6 engines, the 6G71 2.0 L
and the 6G72 3.0 L. A supercharged version of the smaller engine was added to the line-up in 1987, using the world's first needle roller rocker arm assembly. This generation, and its successor, were also sold as the Hyundai Grandeur
.
, electronically controlled suspension
, and INVECS
automatic transmission
with traction control
.
It was discontinued in 1999, and directly replaced by the Proudia
. However, Mitsubishi also developed its first V8 engine for the new Dignity
luxury car around this time, and it was this latter model which took position as the domestic flagship of the company.
Mitsubishi Motors
is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
in 1964 to serve as their flagship passenger vehicle in the Japanese domestic market. Three distinct generations were available during its 35-year production run until it was discontinued in 1999. The first and second generation models were used by senior level executives of the Mitsubishi Group and affiliated companies, or essentially a Mitsubishi senior executive company car made by the motor vehicle division of Mitsubishi.
First generation
The Debonair was Mitsubishi's competitor to the Nissan CedricNissan Cedric
The Nissan Cedric is a large automobile produced by Nissan since 1960. It was developed to provide upscale transportation, competing with the Prince Skyline and Gloria which were later merged into the Nissan family...
and Toyota Crown
Toyota Crown
The Toyota Crown is a line of full-size luxury sedans by Toyota. The range was primarily available in Japan and some other Asian countries, originally designed to serve as a taxi...
and during the first generations production, the appearance remained generally unchanged from 1964 - 1986, sharing an appearance tradition with the Toyota Century
Toyota Century
The Toyota Century is a large four-door limousine produced mainly for the Japanese market, serving as Toyota's flagship car. Production of the Century began in 1967 and the model received only minor changes until a redesign in 1997. The Century derived its name from the 100th anniversary of the...
, that being iconically recognized as a senior executive sedan. Although it received several minor redesigns (denoted I through IV in Roman numerals
Roman numerals
The numeral system of ancient Rome, or Roman numerals, uses combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet to signify values. The numbers 1 to 10 can be expressed in Roman numerals as:...
), the vehicle proved popular enough in the Japanese executive market to remain in production for 22 years without major appearance modifications. The market introduction of the Honda Legend
Honda Legend
The Honda Legend is a mid-size luxury car made by the Japanese automaker Honda. It was the result of Project XX, a joint agreement started in November 1981 with the Austin Rover Group of Great Britain and was mechanically related to the Rover 800 series....
in 1986 influenced many traditional Japanese models to update the appearance of their vehicles, including the Debonair.
Powered by the KE64
Mitsubishi KE engine
The Mitsubishi KE engine is a range of engines produced by Mitsubishi Motors during the 1960s and early 1970s. They were extensively used in the various Colt-branded vehicles the company produced from 1963....
1991 cc straight-6
Straight-6
The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase...
engine with twin carburettors and dual exhausts, it developed 105 PS at 5,000 rpm, and had a maximum speed of 155 kilometres per hour (96 mph). During the 1970s, the Saturn 6
Mitsubishi Saturn engine
The Mitsubishi Saturn or 4G3 engine is series of straight-4 internal combustion engines introduced by Mitsubishi Motors in 1969, along with the Astron, Orion, and Sirius. Displacement ranges from 1.2 L to 1.8 L.-4G30:...
1994 cc straight-6
Straight-6
The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase...
engine was adopted, boosting power to 132 PS and giving the car a top speed of 180 kilometres per hour (112 mph). Models from the later 1970s onwards were powered by Mitsubishi's Astron 2.6L 4-cylinder engine.
The Debonair was briefly offered in Europe during the 1960s, but demand reduced after Fiat introduced the Fiat 2300
Fiat 2300
The Fiat 2300 is an automobile which was produced by Italian automotive manufacturer Fiat between 1961 and 1969.Mechanically the 2300 lived up to its expectations with power assisted brake discs for all four wheels and a powerful 2.3 litre six cylinder engine...
.
Second generation
In 1986 the Debonair adopted a front-wheel driveFront-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
format, a cost effective way to increase interior space without investing money on engineering in an executive sedan. It also came with Mitsubishi's first V6 engines, the 6G71 2.0 L
Litre
pic|200px|right|thumb|One litre is equivalent to this cubeEach side is 10 cm1 litre water = 1 kilogram water The litre is a metric system unit of volume equal to 1 cubic decimetre , to 1,000 cubic centimetres , and to 1/1,000 cubic metre...
and the 6G72 3.0 L. A supercharged version of the smaller engine was added to the line-up in 1987, using the world's first needle roller rocker arm assembly. This generation, and its successor, were also sold as the Hyundai Grandeur
Hyundai Grandeur
The New Grandeur and the third generation of the Mitsubishi Debonair were the products of a joint development between Hyundai and Mitsubishi Motors. Mitsubishi was responsible for the powertrain, and Hyundai was responsible for the body and trim design...
.
Third generation
The third model debuted in 1992, longer and wider than its predecessors. The wider range of available engines was now topped by a 260 PS 6G74 3.5 L DOHC V6, and as Mitsubishi's domestic flagship incorporated much of the company's technology, including four-wheel steering, four-wheel anti-lock braking systemAnti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
, electronically controlled suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
, and INVECS
INVECS
INVECS is the brand name used by Mitsubishi Motors for its electronic automatic transmission technology.-INVECS:...
automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
with traction control
Traction control system
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
.
It was discontinued in 1999, and directly replaced by the Proudia
Mitsubishi Proudia
The Mitsubishi Proudia is a luxury car manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors from late 1999, positioned just below the flagship Mitsubishi Dignity limousine in the company's range...
. However, Mitsubishi also developed its first V8 engine for the new Dignity
Mitsubishi Dignity
The Mitsubishi Dignity, whose name was derived from "the English to describe the peerless grandeur and majestic stateliness of the model", is a limousine manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors from late 1999 as the flagship of the company's domestic range, alongside the smaller Proudia luxury car...
luxury car around this time, and it was this latter model which took position as the domestic flagship of the company.
External links
- Official history of the Debonair, Mitsubishi Motors South Africa website