Nineteen seventy-eight sees some slight cosmetic changes being applied to both the Lancer and the Celeste.
In July 1977, the Celeste coupe receives mild modifications that include new rectangular taillights and, less visible but more significant, cleaner “MCA-Jet” engines. Again in April 1978, the Celeste is face-lifted, more deeply this time as the thicker bumpers already seen on its American version are grafted onto it, while its headlights are now square. Simultaneously, these bumpers are made available on 1200 and 1400cc cars fitted with the new “GL-Extra” trim, and all 1600cc Lancers. Finally, the range is simplified as most two-door saloon variants disappear, the four-door having proved much more popular during these last two years.
● Introduction: January 1973. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.2-litre, 70 hp, mounted at the front. On “Van” estates: inline four, 1.2-litre, 73 hp standard. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. Five-speed manual gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Discs on front wheels optional. Length: 400 cm (411 cm from April 1978 on GL-Extra). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door saloon, four-door saloon, four-door “Van” estate.
Mitsubishi Lancer 1400
The Lancer 1400 is available in two different trims: “GL” (four-speed manual transmission standard, but automatic optional), and “SL-5” (five-speed manual transmission exclusively). In April 1978, the traditional “Saturn” engine is replaced by a new generation “Orion”. Here too, a “GL-Extra” trim is added in April 1978.
● Introduction: January 1973. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.4-litre, 82 hp (80 hp from April 1978), mounted at the front. On “Van” estates: inline four, 1.4-litre, 85 hp standard. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. Five-speed manual and three-speed automatic gearboxes optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 400 cm (411 cm from April 1978 on GL-Extra). Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door saloon, four-door “Van” estate.
Mitsubishi Lancer 1600
From April 1978, a plush “GL-Extra” trim is added to the sporty “GSL” version, but both are now exclusively available as four-door saloons since the two-door disappears.
● Introduction: January 1973. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.6-litre, 86 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 400 cm (411 cm from April 1978). Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door saloon.
Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR
The GSR is the street version of the rally car that made itself famous for its performances in such events as the harsh Safari Rally.
● Introduction: January 1973. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.6-litre, 100 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 400 cm (411 cm from April 1978). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door saloon.
Mitsubishi Celeste 1400
Using the platform and mechanical parts of its Lancer, Mitsubishi has devised this elegant coupe.
● Introduction: February 1975. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.4-litre, 82 hp (80 hp from April 1978), mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. Five-speed manual gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 412 cm (until April 1978), 416 cm (from April 1978). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door hatchback coupe.
Mitsubishi Celeste 1600
● Introduction: February 1975. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.6-litre, 86 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 412 cm (until April 1978), 416 cm (from April 1978). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door hatchback coupe.
Mitsubishi Celeste 1600 GT System 80
A limited edition of the Celeste 1600 GT is released for this year. Reserved to the Japanese market, this GT System 80 is identified by its black paint with golden decoration and wheels. Most options are standard here, plus an equipment that is not available on any other model: a very advanced stereo system with AM/FM radio and cassette player that will satisfy the most discriminating music lover. Two hundred of these cars are constructed.
● Introduction: February 1975 for the Celeste, November 1977 for the 1600 GT System 80. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.6-litre, 86 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 412 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door hatchback coupe.
Mitsubishi Celeste 1600 GSR
The Celeste also has its own GSR version, fitted with the very same 1600cc engine as the Lancer model of the same name.
● Introduction: February 1975. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.6-litre, 100 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 412 cm (until April 1978), 416 cm (from April 1978). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door hatchback coupe.
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In July 1977, the Celeste coupe receives mild modifications that include new rectangular taillights and, less visible but more significant, cleaner “MCA-Jet” engines. Again in April 1978, the Celeste is face-lifted, more deeply this time as the thicker bumpers already seen on its American version are grafted onto it, while its headlights are now square. Simultaneously, these bumpers are made available on 1200 and 1400cc cars fitted with the new “GL-Extra” trim, and all 1600cc Lancers. Finally, the range is simplified as most two-door saloon variants disappear, the four-door having proved much more popular during these last two years.
Mitsubishi Lancer 1200
A simplified “1200 Standard” returns to the Lancer range for 1978. As it used to be previously, it is exclusively offered as a two-door saloon with limited equipment. It is indeed the only Lancer to retain basic drum brakes on all four wheels. Other trims are the “Populaire”, the “GL” and the “SL-5”, the latter two being now exclusively available as four-door cars. From April 1978, a plush “GL-Extra” trim is added, easily identifiable from its oversized bumpers.
● Introduction: January 1973. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.2-litre, 70 hp, mounted at the front. On “Van” estates: inline four, 1.2-litre, 73 hp standard. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. Five-speed manual gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Discs on front wheels optional. Length: 400 cm (411 cm from April 1978 on GL-Extra). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door saloon, four-door saloon, four-door “Van” estate.
Mitsubishi Lancer 1400
The Lancer 1400 is available in two different trims: “GL” (four-speed manual transmission standard, but automatic optional), and “SL-5” (five-speed manual transmission exclusively). In April 1978, the traditional “Saturn” engine is replaced by a new generation “Orion”. Here too, a “GL-Extra” trim is added in April 1978.
● Introduction: January 1973. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.4-litre, 82 hp (80 hp from April 1978), mounted at the front. On “Van” estates: inline four, 1.4-litre, 85 hp standard. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. Five-speed manual and three-speed automatic gearboxes optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 400 cm (411 cm from April 1978 on GL-Extra). Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door saloon, four-door “Van” estate.
Mitsubishi Lancer 1600
From April 1978, a plush “GL-Extra” trim is added to the sporty “GSL” version, but both are now exclusively available as four-door saloons since the two-door disappears.
● Introduction: January 1973. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.6-litre, 86 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 400 cm (411 cm from April 1978). Top speed: n/a. Range: four-door saloon.
Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR
The GSR is the street version of the rally car that made itself famous for its performances in such events as the harsh Safari Rally.
● Introduction: January 1973. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.6-litre, 100 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 400 cm (411 cm from April 1978). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door saloon.
Mitsubishi Celeste 1400
Using the platform and mechanical parts of its Lancer, Mitsubishi has devised this elegant coupe.
● Introduction: February 1975. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.4-litre, 82 hp (80 hp from April 1978), mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. Five-speed manual gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 412 cm (until April 1978), 416 cm (from April 1978). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door hatchback coupe.
Mitsubishi Celeste 1600
● Introduction: February 1975. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.6-litre, 86 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 412 cm (until April 1978), 416 cm (from April 1978). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door hatchback coupe.
Mitsubishi Celeste 1600 GT System 80
A limited edition of the Celeste 1600 GT is released for this year. Reserved to the Japanese market, this GT System 80 is identified by its black paint with golden decoration and wheels. Most options are standard here, plus an equipment that is not available on any other model: a very advanced stereo system with AM/FM radio and cassette player that will satisfy the most discriminating music lover. Two hundred of these cars are constructed.
● Introduction: February 1975 for the Celeste, November 1977 for the 1600 GT System 80. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.6-litre, 86 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 412 cm. Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door hatchback coupe.
Mitsubishi Celeste 1600 GSR
The Celeste also has its own GSR version, fitted with the very same 1600cc engine as the Lancer model of the same name.
● Introduction: February 1975. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.6-litre, 100 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to discs on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 412 cm (until April 1978), 416 cm (from April 1978). Top speed: n/a. Range: two-door hatchback coupe.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1973 – 1974 – 1975 – 1976 – 1977 – 1978 – 1979 – 1980 – 1981 – 1982 – 1983 – 1984 – 1985
Click here to return to a list of all Mitsubishi vehicles presented on this blog.
Click here to return to this blog’s initial post, featuring a list of all vehicles already presented.
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