Project YF-W
In 1982, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) faced a critical crossroads. Their aging rear-wheel-drive Sigma was losing ground to the dominant "Big Six" offerings from Holden and Ford. To survive, MMAL initiated Project YF-W. The goal was audacious: transform the narrow, high-tech Japanese fifth-generation Galant into a formidable Australian family sedan. The result was the TM Magna—the world’s first "wide-body" derivative of a compact global platform.
The 1,695mm Problem
The primary hurdle was the Galant’s width. In Japan, vehicle dimensions were strictly capped at 1,695mm to fit into a lower tax bracket. Australian market research, however, was non-negotiable: a competitive "Family Class" vehicle required a minimum width of 1,760mm to accommodate three adults across the rear seat.
Rather than commissioning a clean-sheet design—which was financially impossible—MMAL engineers performed a radical "structural split" that remains a case study in resourcefulness:
- The Chassis Splice: Engineers literally sliced the Galant’s floor pan and firewalls longitudinally, welding in a 65mm structural insert along the entire centerline of the vehicle.
- Strategic Component Retention: To minimize tooling costs, the "hard points" for the doors, pillars, and side glass remained identical to the Japanese donor car. Consequently, the extra width was entirely absorbed by the center of the roof, bonnet, dashboard, and rear parcel shelf.
- Stance and Track: By extending the front and rear tracks to match the widened body, engineers gave the Magna a "planted" footprint, significantly improving high-speed stability compared to the narrower Japanese original.
Localised Powertrain and Durability
While Japan prioritized high-revving 1.8L and 2.0L engines, Australia demanded the low-end torque necessary for heavy towing and vast distances.
- The Transverse Astron II: MMAL adapted the venerable 2.6L 4G54 Astron II engine. Originally a longitudinal unit for rear-wheel-drive cars, it was extensively re-engineered for a transverse, front-wheel-drive configuration.
- Australian Calibration: The cooling system was drastically uprated to survive the harsh Australian climate. Furthermore, the MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension were completely recalibrated to provide "Outback-ready" durability and composure on unsealed roads.
A Global Legacy
The TM Magna didn't just save Mitsubishi in Australia; it redefined the company's global strategy. Upon its 1985 launch, it immediately claimed the prestigious Wheels Car of the Year award, praised for its "unprecedented interior space and refinement."
The "wide-body" concept proved so revolutionary that it served as the blueprint for the Mitsubishi Diamante (known locally as the Verada), which became Mitsubishi’s global flagship luxury sedan. Perhaps the greatest validation of the project's success occurred when the Australian-engineered Magna Wagon was exported back to Japan—the first time a Japanese-branded car developed in Australia was sold in its home market.
