Mitsubishi 380

Mitsubishi 380
Overview
ManufacturerMitsubishi Motors
Model codeDB
ProductionOctober 2005 – March 2008
AssemblyAustralia: Adelaide, South Australia (Clovelly Park)
DesignerOlivier Boulay
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size car
Body style4-door sedan
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
PlatformMitsubishi PS platform
RelatedMitsubishi Galant
Powertrain
Engine3.8 L 6G75 V6
Transmission5-speed manual
5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,750 mm (108 in)
Length4,837–4,855 mm (190.4–191.1 in)
Width1,840 mm (72 in)
Height1,480 mm (58 in)
Curb weight1,625–1,670 kg (3,583–3,682 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorMitsubishi Magna/Verada

The Mitsubishi 380 is a mid-size car that was produced between 2005 and 2008 by Mitsubishi Motors Australia. Available only as a sedan, it marked the end of Australian production by the Japanese manufacturer.

The 380, given the model designation DB, was the successor to the Mitsubishi Magna / Verada line of vehicles first introduced in 1985 (1991 for the Verada). The company spent over A$600 million developing and producing the car, being heavily based upon the ninth generation Mitsubishi Galant designed in the United States. The 380 continued Mitsubishi Australia's established habit of producing front-wheel drive sedans for the Australian market, and along with the Toyota Aurion, competed against traditionally well-established local rear-wheel drive Ford Falcon and GM Holden Commodore vehicles.

Even before the car's launch in October 2005, the 380 was stigmatised as the "make or break" model for Mitsubishi Australia. After a slow sales start, the line-up was updated with the Series II in April 2006, with the entry-level model attracting a price discount of nearly 20 percent. To generate further interest in the car, a Series III revision came on 29 July 2007 with mainly cosmetic changes. These updates failed to lift sales, and with production still unprofitable, Mitsubishi ceased manufacturing of the 380 in March 2008 after just short of three years in production. A total of 32,044 were produced over the three year production, of which 30,195 were sold in Australia.