Mitsubishi 380

The Mitsubishi 380(ES) - the base model of the range

The Mitsubishi 380GT - the flagship of the range, combines the sporty feel of the VRX with the luxury of the LX

The Mitsubishi 380 was launched in 2005 as the high-stakes successor to the long-running Magna/Verada line. Internally codenamed PS41, it was famously described as the "make or break" car for Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL). Ultimately, despite critical acclaim for its build quality, the 380 could not reverse the market shift toward SUVs and smaller cars, leading to the closure of the Tonsley Park manufacturing plant in 2008 and Mitsubishi becoming an importer-only brand.

While based on the North American Ninth Generation Galant, the 380 underwent a $600 million development program to suit Australian conditions. Lead engineer Lee Kernich noted approximately 2,000 changes between the Galant and the 380, in particular differences in styling (departing from the Boulay crafted nose), a revised engine, revised suspension, larger brakes, different transmissions and a different method of construction.

The new construction methods for the 380 required that Tonsley Park undergo it's largest upgrade in 40 years. The 380 is built using a new press which uses a single sheet of steel to make the sides of the car. Toy tab construction (where the car is tabbed together then welded) also contributes to the rigidity of the car. Mitsubishi claims that there is less than 0.7mm variation in it's bodies making it's panel fit superior.

The imported 6G75 engine was modified to comply with new lower emissions regulations introduced to Australia on 1 January, 2006. The revised 6G75 not only improves fuel economy and emissions but is also more powerful than the Galant's engine. The revised 6G75 uses the same camshafts as the Ralliart Magna.

The 380 is shorter than the Third Generation Magna/Verada but is has a roomier cabin than the Magna/Verada thanks to increases in wheelbase and width. The boot and fuel tank are smaller however. The 380 is also around 100 Kg heavier than it's predecessor.

Series I

The 380 went on sale on 13 October, 2005 in 5 trim levels:

• 380: The base model. Available in 5 speed automatic or 5 speed manual and comes with power windows, climate control and trip computer. Traction control and allloy wheels are an optional extra.
• 380VRX: Sporty variant. Unfortunately unlike the VR-X Magna, the 380VRX doesn't increase power, however like the First generation's Elante it has stiffer sports suspension. It features a different nose to the 380, alloy wheels, new rear taillights and a modest rear spoiler. Traction control is also standard. The only option is an electric sunroof. The 380VRX is available in both automatic and manual.
• 380LS: Affordable luxury. Appears to replace the Verada, is similar to the early Ei Verada. It features 16" alloys, plusher interior fabrics, electrically adjustable driver's seat, premium sound, auto-dimming rear view mirrror, traction control and a small colour screen for displaying climate control and open door information. A 17" wheel and tyre package is optional. The LS looks like the base model externally with the addition of chrome highlighting here and there. The LS is only available in automatic.
• 380LX: Top of the line luxury. Similar to early Verada Xi. Features 17" alloys, full leather seats, electric front seats, revised suspension (same asa the VRX and GT), sunroof and wood look dash inserts. As with the LS it is automatic only.
• 380GT: The top of the 380 range. A cross between the VRX and LX, featuring sporty looks with luxury. Externally it looks simlar to the 380VRX and inside it is totally different to the rest of the fleet. It features everything the 380VRX and 380LX do. Again, it is automatic only.

The Series I 380 was criticised for being more expensive than the Ford Falcon or Holden Commodore.

Series II

After just six months on sale and a failure to meet sales targets, MMAL released the 380 Series II in April, 2006. The Series II received a $6,500 drop in price (for the base model) and a re-jigged model line up.

• 380ES: Replaced the 380 as the base model of the range. Features remain the same.
• 380SX: All new variant. Meant to fill the gap left by the departure of the Magna Sports and VR. Available in both automatic and manual it adds 17-inch alloys, sports suspension with strut brace. Traction control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift knob and handbrake lever, sports seats, sports instrumentation, the same mesh grille as the VRX and fog lamps are also included as part of the package.
• 380VRX: Same as the 380VRX Series I ecept fo the addition of an auto-dimming mirror.
• 380LX: The automatic only 380LX Series II is a result of the combination of the two luxury models (LS/LX) in the Series I. Over the ES, the LX has 16 inch alloys; 10 way electric driver's seat; wood trim; leather upholstery; auto-dimming mirror; leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift knob and handbrake lever; traction control and six-disc CD/MP3 Player with eight speakers.
• 380GT: Same as the Series I variant.

Series III

In July 2007, Mitsubishi released the final iteration of the 380. This update aimed to realign the range to combat slumping sales. Across the board, the Series III gained Traction Control and Alloy Wheels as standard. The LX cariant was also dropped.

• 380ES: Now innherits the sports front bumper and fog lamps previously reserved for higher trims. It also gained 16-inch alloy wheels and standard traction control.
• 380SX: Received new 17-inch 6-spoke alloy wheels, a revised charcoal/silver grille treatment and silver-accented interior seat fabrics.
• 380VRX: A new body kit with racy front/rear bumper inserts and a much larger, "chunky" rear wing. Inside, it featured a restyled leather steering wheel and seats embossed with the "VRX" logo.
• 380GT: The luxury-sport flagship featured restyled machined alloy wheels and additional chrome exterior detailing. It was the only model to come standard with an 8-speaker premium audio system and a "sports" instrument cluster.
• 380GTL:A GT model with "Stone" (light grey) leather interior, a sunroof, a unique rear decklid/tail lamp treatment, and silver-painted alloy wheels.

Mitsubishi also released two special edition Series III models:

• ES Sports: This was a high-value "launch edition." For the same price as a standard ES ($28,990), it added a rear wing, 17-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, a sunroof, and Bluetooth connectivity.
• Fusion Burst: Based on the VRX, this was a "statement" car finished in a vivid lurid orange duco with matching orange-accented seat inserts. It was designed to attract younger buyers and move away from the 380's "conservative" reputation.

TMR 380

The TMR 380 is the rarest and most powerful version of the Mitsubishi 380. Developed by Team Mitsubishi Ralliart (TMR)—led by touring car legend Alan Heaphy—it was intended to be a flagship performance hero to rival the HSV Clubsport and FPV Falcon.

Unfortunately, because it was launched just as Mitsubishi was shuttering its Australian manufacturing operations, only 20 production units were ever built, making it a "unicorn" of the Australian automotive industry.

The heart of the TMR 380 was a supercharged version of the standard 3.8L 6G75 V6. TMR bolted on a Sprintex S3/335 twin-screw supercharger running approximately 6.5 psi of boost. Power jumped from 175kW to 230kW, and torque increased from 343Nm to a massive 442Nm. It could sprint from 0–100 km/h in roughly 6.0 seconds, though some contemporary tests suggested it could dip into the high 5s if the front tyres could find grip.

Despite the massive torque, it remained Front-Wheel Drive. To manage this, the production models were primarily fitted with a 5-speed automatic, though the early concept/show car featured a manual with a helical limited-slip differential.

In addition to the power upgrades, TMR overhauled the 380's dynamics to suit by adding a Harrop-engineered brake package with 6-piston calipers over 370mm slotted rotors at the front and 4-piston calipers at the rear; lowering the car by 50mm and adding Koni adjustable dampers and upgraded srpings; and 19-inch ROH "Flare" alloy wheels finished in chrome, wrapped in high-performance Yokohama Advan Sport rubber.

The TMR 380 had a bold look, differentiating it from the standard VRX or GT. Each car was finished in "TMR Red", featuring a unique body kit with a deeper front air dam, revised lower grilles, and dual 60mm chrome exhaust outlets. The bonnet featured twin NACA ducts (though these were cosmetic on the production models). The cabin was upgraded with Recaro front seats (sourced from the Lancer Evolution IX) re-trimmed in red and black leather. It also featured "Black Ice" dash trim and TMR embroidery on the seats and floor mats.