2004 Mitsubishi Galant - Interior Design Concept

The 2004 Mitsubishi Galant's attractive design goes far beneath its sheet metal. The stylish, modern, ergonomically designed interior presents the Galant's occupants with a relaxing yet sophisticated environment. The highly contemporary surroundings offer a stimulating alternative to the more subdued interior designs of segment competitors. The interior surfaces are covered with textured materials that replicate modern furniture, helping the Galant create an appealing, upscale, modern and sporty environment. Featuring wide, comfortable seating, the interior also provides the driver and passengers with ample shoulder and legroom.

Due to its taller, wider body, longer wheelbase and longer overall exterior, the Galant benefits from more interior space. The most significant gains will be enjoyed by the rear passengers, who get an extra inch of legroom, which now measures 37.0 inches, and 2.9 more inches of shoulder room, which measures 57.1 inches. Front passengers also get 57.3 inches of shoulder room (an increase of 2.8 inches) and 54.4 inches of hip room (an increase of 2 inches). Because the 2004 Galant's interior boasts more room than ever before, designers put particular emphasis on the width of the cabin. Bold horizontal lines intersect with functional vertical elements to highlight the fact that the Galant offers the best of both worlds: roominess and functionality.

Galant Seating

The Galant's seats are designed to provide comfort for the duration of extended drives, which helps to reduce passenger fatigue. But the increased width and heavily cushioned depth of the Galant's seats are not their only improvements. Both front seats' steel, skeletal frames are enhanced with resilient spring cushion structures in seat back and seat bottom. As a new technology, a new passenger-side weight sensor acts in concert with the advanced airbag system. If less than 30 kg (66 lbs) of weight is detected in the front passenger seat, the passenger's-side front airbag will not deploy.

For added comfort, the driver's seat is constructed of dense foam material that also helps improve both support and durability. The base-level Galant DE's seats are covered with a durable new fabric, ES and LS trim lines are treated to premium fabric (with leather available as an option). For the top-rung GTS trim, premium textured leather is the only seat covering available. Like the GTS, the leather package for the Galant ES and LS includes leather trim for the steering wheel, and an adjustable lumber support in the driver's seat. Extra storage is provided by a net pocket found on the driver's seatback.

A multi-directional and height-adjustable driver's seat is standard equipment on all Galants; an eight-way powered driver's seat is optional for ES and LS (standard on the GTS). The GTS also receives standard front side-impact airbags. Heated front seats and heated side mirrors are available on the ES and LS as part of the Leather Package, and are the sole option available for the GTS as the Cold Zone Package.

The Galant's rear seating arrangement consists of a wide, supportive bench that provides ample room for three adults. A folding center armrest also helps provide elbow support and includes a pair of cup holders. With the rear armrest lowered, a center pass-through allows long items, such as skis or hockey sticks, to be stowed in the trunk. The lower cushion of the rear seats also includes the anchor points for the child restraint system.

All of the Galant's seating positions, including the rear center position, rely on three-point seat belts for passenger safety. The front seat belt systems also include pretensioners and force limiters to help reduce injury in the event of a collision.

Dash Panel

The Galant's dash panel makes a strong visual statement about the character of this sedan. Dividing the dash horizontally is a crossbar that emphasizes the wide passenger space; dividing it vertically is a striking metallic-finish center console-designed to resemble a high-end home entertainment system-which helps to create a comfortable, modern environment for both the driver and front passenger. With the use of these aesthetic devices, the dash panel creates visual appeal while maintaining a high level of function and purpose.

Convenience was a high priority in the design of the Galant's dash panel. The round instrument panel gauges are easy to read, sporty in appearance, and are physically situated to eliminate glare, while large, well-lit, and easy-to-control switches and knobs put vital vehicle functions within immediate reach. The dash panel's low height also helps improve the driver's line of sight, which in turn helps to improve the driver's ability to navigate with the utmost confidence. Storage was also a consideration in the dash panel's design as a large, open-faced bin is located at the bottom of the center instrument column, which offers a convenient place to store cell phones or CD cases.

Center Console

The Galant's center console incorporates several features into one unit, including storage solutions, cup holders designed to accommodate extra large drink cups, and multiple power outlets. Once again, functionality sets the design without compromising aesthetic appeal. The Galant's center console offers passengers and drivers flexibility and comfort with an ideally positioned, cushioned armrest that's wide enough to provide complete elbow support. The center console is enhanced with a pair of 12-volt outlets that can be used to charge cell phones or power small electronic devices, a convenient accessory when the entertainment of rear seat occupants becomes a necessity.

Gauge Cluster

The Galant's instrument cluster is a composite unit of round, legible gauges that are merged together into one broad yet sporty display. The appealing gauge layout is not unlike instrument cluster designs found in several European sports cars. At night, the illumination of this attractive gauge package is handled by a cluster of blue LED bulbs that help lend the interior a classy style while also improving nighttime visibility. The large center speedometer dial has a diameter of 110 mm for easier viewing and has a three-dimensional flair with the dial raised 7 mm above the other two round gauges. The gauge details include rounded numerals that make the instruments easier to read. The round metal bezels also are integrated into the instrument panel to help reduce glare or reflection. Surrounding the round gauges are warning lamps that are illuminated by LED bulbs, allowing them to be grouped more compactly.

Door Panels

The Galant's door panels are crafted to complement the hip, modern, high-quality appearance of the rest of the interior finishes. The door panels also use premium metallic finishes and textured materials on trim components of the door panel that help bolster the overall upscale appearance of the interior. Hidden beneath the surface, the Galant's door panels contain structural support bars devices designed to help reduce the force of a side-impact collision. Several sensible design elements, such as the ample storage space located in the front door pockets, and the padded, supportive surfaces that pamper occupants, add functionality.

Center Display

The Galant's GTS trim level is equipped with a dot matrix LCD center display atop the center console as standard equipment. This attractive feature displays the time, ambient temperature, directional compass, air conditioning status, and it is used as the interface to customize the ETACS functions (vehicle functions computer). In addition, the 4.9-inch LCD screen also displays audio system settings such as volume, bass, and CD functions. The highly visible, vibrant LCD color display provides an excellent medium for users to interface with vehicle functions. This menu-driven system with intuitive controls is an ideal centerpiece for Galant's dash panel, and its ice-blue base color nicely complements other dash components.

The ES and LS trim lines are equipped with a grey/black segmented matrix LCD display that displays a digital clock as well as the digital audio system operation.

Electric Time and Alarm Control System (ETACS)

All Galant models are equipped with an Electric Time and Alarm Control System (ETACS), Mitsubishi's comprehensive vehicle body systems control computer. This adaptable system improves communication between Galant's various computer sub-systems. Working with the Smart Wiring System (SWS)-which is Mitsubishi Motors' own body control communication system-and the Control Area Network (CAN) system, the automotive standard for high speed automotive computer communications systems, ETACS takes advantage of a wide variety of functions and makes them more user friendly. In addition, users can customize functions via the color center display on the GTS. However, ETACS is already programmed to execute many basic functions, such as regulating the timing of interior lights, as well as the setting for the interior buzzer.

Using a menu-driven system that appears on the color interior display screen, ETACS allows users to customize many of the vehicle's features. For instance, the operator can regulate the occurrence and timing of the automatic headlight cut-out feature or deactivate the horn sound that occurs upon locking the door with a keyless entry system.

Climate Control

The 2004 Galant is equipped with an efficient climate control system that integrates the heating and cooling controls into a single unit. A flow rate control valve helps the system realize improvements in system airflow and achieve a quicker temperature change. The flow rate control valve prevents cooled air from being reheated when the A/C is running at maximum capacity, and reduces variation in airflow volumes as well. In addition, integrating the heating/cooling unit and blower into a single component increases system reliability and helps reduce assembly inconsistencies. The efficiency of the new HVAC unit results in an increase in defroster air flow and improved effectiveness for the defrosting system to more swiftly improve windshield visibility.

Depending on the trim line, two different A/C panels are available to control either an automatic or manual HVAC system. Both climate control panels feature attractive, large metallic knobs with a knurled finish. The automatic HVAC systems of the Galant GTS is coupled with the large color center display to inform occupants of functions, mode and temperature. The A/C indicators for both the automatic and manual system use green lighting indicators and large mode and temperature markers that make either system intuitive to operate. Manual A/C systems, equipped on the Galant DE, ES and LS trim levels, allow operators to select temperature and fan speed.

The Galant's air conditioning system uses a highly efficient scroll compressor that-in conjunction with a large condenser and high-flow outlet vents-greatly improves cooling efficiency at idle. The automatic climate control system regulates cabin temperature based on data received from an ambient sensor, an in-car temperature sensor and sunlight measuring photo-sensor. A computer processes this data to control blower speed to match and maintain the temperature set by the user, but if desired, the system can be controlled manually to override the temperature setting. The manual A/C system includes a MAX A/C setting that adds allows the user to rapidly cool the cabin with bursts of frigid air. A system's leak detecting function automatically shuts the system off and alerts the user with a warning lamp in the event of an A/C coolant leak.

Audio

The base Galant audio system consists of a 140-watt, audio unit with four speakers (six speakers are featured on the ES and LS). The base AM/FM radio also includes a single CD player with random and repeat playback functions.

For audiophiles, there is also a premium audio system-available as part of the Diamond Package on ES and LS trim lines and standard on the GTS-which includes a 270-watt Infinity digital amplifier that broadcasts clear sound from the AM/FM radio or six-CD in-dash changer.

Immobilizer

The Galant is equipped with an engine immobilizing system that prohibits the engine from starting if the ignition switch is turned by a key that is not electronically registered to that particular vehicle. The key ring antenna and immobilizer are integrated in to a single reliable unit. This is a system that has been proven to prevent thefts and reduce insurance premiums.

Cruise Control System

The Galant ES, LS, and GTS trim lines are equipped with a cruise control system that provides the vital function of allowing drivers to maintain a specific velocity without having to press the accelerator, which helps reduce fatigue during long trips. For the Galant, with its throttle by wire control, the mechanism that actuates the throttle butterfly is now an electronic throttle valve actuator, essentially a solenoid controlling throttle valve angle per the direction received from the throttle computer. The previous cruise control system relied on the mechanical control of a vacuum pump to actuate the cruise control's throttle function.

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