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The Mitsubishi Debonair (Japanese 三菱・デボネア) is a four-door luxury car, introduced by Mitsubishi Motors in 1964 to serve as their flagship passenger vehicle in the Japanese domestic market. The word "debonair" means "gentle, courteous, suave, lighthearted, nonchalant" ==Model history== The Mitsubishi Debonair was first introduced at the 10th All Japan Motor Show (later renamed the Tokyo Motor Show) October 1963.〔http://www.jsae.or.jp/autotech/data_e/1-37e.html〕 Its appearance at the time was described as "dignified" and was one of the first Japanese-built sedans with a luxury intent, using a 2.0 L six cylinder and its exterior dimensions were just under Japanese government regulations for vehicles classified as "compact" while offering a spacious interior and luxury refinements of the period. At its introduction, it was regarded as a luxury Mitsubishi Colt 1000, as the Mitsubishi Galant had not been introduced until 1969, and was the largest sedan Mitsubishi had built to date. In Japan, it was sold at a specific retail chain called ''Galant Shop'' starting in 1969 with the introduction of the Mitsubishi Galant. At the time of the Debonair's introduction, Mitsubishi had a market reputation of building small, economical sedans, letting other manufacturers build larger, more expensive sedans. The Debonair was seen as a special purpose vehicle, and not marketed towards the general motoring public. Production began in time for the 1964 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo in October 1964. Mitsubishi had earlier used this approach to building an exclusive vehicle for senior members of Mitsubishi executives with the first vehicle built by Mitsubishi, called the Mitsubishi Model A. Three distinct generations were available during its 35-year production run until it was replaced in 1999 with the Mitsubishi Proudia in an attempt to continue to offer a top level luxury sedan. The first and second generation models were used by senior level executives of the Mitsubishi Group and affiliated companies, or essentially a Mitsubishi senior executive company car made by the motor vehicle division of Mitsubishi.〔http://www.justacargeek.com/2010/09/rough-1965-mitsubishi-debonair-some.html reference to senior level purpose-built car〕 As a result of the Debonair's perceived primary purpose as a "senior executive vehicle" the Debonair did not undergo regular improvements to its exterior appearance, while the mechanicals were routinely updated with the latest advancements as the years progressed. The engine displacement was held to the 2.0 litre limit to minimize the annual road tax bill, and if it could be justified that the car was for business use, the tax liability was further reduced. The international introduction of the Honda Legend in 1986 influenced many traditional Japanese luxury sedans to update the appearance of their vehicles, including the Debonair. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mitsubishi Debonair」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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