Mitsubishi Starion / Dodge Conquest 1982-1989

The Mitsubishi Starion was a two-door, turbocharged four-cylinder rear-wheel drive four-seat hatchback sports car that was manufactured by Mitsubishi from 1982 to 1989. Rebadged variants were marketed in North America as the Conquest under the Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth brands. The Starion is one of the first modern Japanese turbocharged performance automobiles with electronic fuel injection.

[B]Overview[/B]
Mitsubishi began marketing the Starion in 1982, during a period in which a number of Japanese grand tourer (GT) sports cars were available, including the Nissan Z cars, Mazda RX-7, Toyota Supra and to a lesser extent, the Honda Prelude and Isuzu Piazza. The Starion was marketed in the US under Mitsubishi as the Starion and badge engineered variants of were marketed as the Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler Conquest. In the UK it was sold as the Colt Starion. Manufactured in two body configurations; a narrowbody and widebody, the narrower style complied with Japanese exterior dimension regulations taxing larger vehicles and engine displacement exceeding 2000cc. Only the narrowbody was offered through the 1985.5 model year. The introduction of the widebody also split the car into two ranges: one a non-intercooled lower horsepower car using the narrow body style and a high-performance intercooled widebody. In most markets, widebody cars were given the label of Starion ESI-r or Conquest TSi. Markets that never received the widebody had the ESI-r label, these cars had similar performance as the widebodies. Widebody cars were offered in 1986-1989 model years in the US.

[B]Name[/B]
Mitsubishi says "Starion" is a contraction of "Star of Arion" — and refers to both a star and the mythical horse, Arion. Several sources attribute the name to struggles by Japanese engineers to pronounce the word stallion. Automotive journalist Paul Niedermeyer noted that an early Japanese television commercial for the Starion closed with a logo of a stallion's head with the word "Starion" below it. The translation of the voiceover says the name refers to a star and the mythical horse, Arion. The Mitsubishi Colt and Mitsubishi Eclipse featured equine names, with the Eclipse named after the champion racehorse. Marketing material from 1982 somewhat confirms the official explanation.
[I]The name STARION — derived from the combination of star and Arion, Hercules' horse in Greek mythology — symbolizes a sense of the universe, and of power and high performance.[/I] — cover of original Japanese Starion sales brochure, published by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, May 1982. On an episode of BBC`s Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson says the name was supposed to be stallion however it was misunderstood as "Starion" in a phone call with the marketing team and the name stuck since then.

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Thank you very much! Such an awesome car! Definitely my favorite Mitsu. :) :)

Very cool looking cars imho, if very unmistakeably 80's :)

Damn fast with a turbo, though :D one of the funkier cars of the '80s.

1982 Mitsubishi Starion Turbo (pic number 3).
2555 cc > 145 hp (if my source is reliable)! ! !
Love the design though, thanks for the pic's.

[B]Overview[/B]
The Starion uses a traditional front-mounted engine with rear-wheel drive layout. Many came with a limited slip differential and anti-lock brakes (single channel, rear wheels only) as standard features. The entire chassis was derived from the previous high-performance variant of the Mitsubishi Sapporo or Mitsubishi Galant Lambda sports coupe, with a MacPherson strut suspension and sway bars that were fitted to the front and rear.[1] Rack and pinion steering was not offered, instead gearbox steering was standard on all models. Engine capacity differed between markets. American customers received the larger SOHC Astron G54B 2.6 L engine. Most markets received the SOHC 2.0 L Sirius 4G63 engine, subsequently featured in DOHC form in later Mitsubishi sport compacts such as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Both the 2.0 L and the 2.6 L produced roughly the same horsepower, the larger 2.6 L did have a slight torque advantage and the 2.0L had a higher redline. Reporters of the time considered the 2.0l to be peaky and exciting, while the American market 2.6l had plenty of torque, but was less rewarding. Both engines featured computer-controlled fuel injection and turbocharging. After 1987, European Starion models were also fitted with the 2.6 L engine, as was the GSR-VR for Japan. The move to the 2.6 L in all markets was spurred by emissions restrictions around the world tightening to meet the American standards for lead in fuels. Reviews during the change were negative as many felt the car was slower, for most of these markets this was the case as the engine change also coincided with a move to the heavier body style.

From 1983 until 1987 in Japan a 12-valve (two intake, one exhaust) SOHC intercooled version of the 2.0 L G63B was made available in the top-spec GSR-V (and some GSR-VR) trim grade Starions. This setup was known as the Dual Action Super Head (or DASH for short) due to its ability to activate the third intake valve above a certain RPM, thereby increasing top end response, flow and overall engine performance. Horsepower varied between 150–197 hp (112–147 kW; 152–200 PS) depending mostly upon the turbocharger that was fitted, the presence of an intercooler, and whether the 8-valve or 12-valve head was used. A naturally aspirated version known as the GX was offered in the Japanese market, with production ending in 1983. The Starion GX was offered without power windows, air conditioning, independent rear suspension, fuel injection or power-assisted steering. Seating was a 2+2 with rear seats unsuitable for large adults. The front seats were adjustable for lumbar, angle, knee support, position and featured variable-angle side-braces. Front seat belts were located in the doors for the driver and front passenger. 1987 and later American models featured electrically operated seat belts. Newer models also featured power windows that remained powered up to 30 seconds after the engine was turned off. A five-speed manual transmission was standard in most models, however, an automatic transmission was sold as an option in some markets.

Later upgrades to the model included an intercooler, five-lug wheels replacing the four-bolt wheels it had shared with the rear wheel drive Mitsubishi Galant Lambda, rear power train changes from four- to six-bolt axles, various fuel management upgrades and upgrades to the transmission. Towards the end of the models US run a widebody could be bought with a "Sports Handling Package" or SHP. This included adjustable front and rear struts and 1 inch wider wheels (up from 16 x 7 to 8" front and 16 x 8 to 9" rear). The SHP was only offered during the '88 and '89 model years. The package can be retro fitted to earlier pre-widebody cars. The drag coefficient was around 0.32, superior to the Mazda RX-7 and the Nissan 300ZX upon its release. Notable upgrades included multi-port injection (MPI) consisting of standalone engine management (programmable computers) to control individual fuel injectors, one per cylinder versus the stock PCI-ECM two injector system. Two injector systems, primary (idle injector) and secondary (boost injector) non-sequential firing ('83-'86) and sequential firing ('87-'89).

Production: These figures are both cars, total, all styles
1986: 19,438
1987: 17,605
1988: 10,655
1989: 1,961
[I]Figures courtesy of Mitsubishi Japan[/I]

[SIZE="1"]Source: Wikipedia[/SIZE]

[B]Models[/B]
A number of models existed throughout the world during 1982 to 1990.

[B]Japan[/B]
2.0 L 4G63 engine, apart from GSR-VR which has 2.6 L G54B. The Japanese domestic market had a large range of Starions to choose from.
GX - 1982–1983 (non turbo)
GSR-I,GSR-II,GSR-III, GSR-X - 1982–1984
GSR-II, GSR-III,GSR-X,GSR-V - 1985–1986 - can be distinguished from the earlier Starions by driving lights in the front bumper
GSR-V - 1986–1987 - some had Sirius Dash engine
GSR-VR - 1987–1989 (widebody)
The Roman numeral after 'GSR' denotes the vehicle specification. Some examples can be found below:
GSR-I - base model
GSR-II - power steering and electric windows
GSR-III - improved audio system, trip computer system, digital dash cluster, and air conditioning.
GSR-X - leather interior replaced the cloth, climate control, air conditioning, cruise control

[B]Australia[/B]
2.0 L 4G63 engine. Australian vehicles were mostly similar to the European Turbo specification. The J codes below denote the model version, and are found on the Australian Vehicle Information Plates.
JA - 1982–1984
JB - 1984–1985
JD - 1985–1987

[B]North America[/B]
It was marketed in North America by Mitsubishi as the Starion from 1983 until 1989 and by Chrysler as the Conquest under both the Dodge and Plymouth names from 1984 to 1986 and under the Chrysler name from 1987 until 1989. The engine used is the 2.6 L G54B unit with TD05-12A MHI turbocharger, although the TC05-12A (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries) turbocharger was fitted to the earlier, non-intercooled narrow-body models. These early cars have 145 hp (108 kW).
Mitsubishi
base - 1983
LS - 1983-85
LE - 1984-87
ES - 1984-85
ESI - 1985.5, intercooled
ESI-R - widebody only 1986-89, intercooled
Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth
LE
TSI - widebody 1986-89, intercooled
Technica (this was a narrow-body package without intercooler)
[I]Verified by ** MCA-Chrysler Motorsports of America (10/01).[/I]

[B]Europe[/B]
2.0 L 4G63 engine with MHI TC06-11A turbocharger, apart from GSR-VR which has 2.6 L 4G54 engine with TD05-12A turbocharger.
EX II - flatbody with intercooler
EX - luxury version
Turbo - base model
With the exception of Australia, many models were available as either narrow-body or wide-body shell styles.

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Back when Mitsubishi was still relevant and made interesting cars.

...sigh.

Post 6, pic 6: looks like she's ready to defeat the intergalactic dragon.

[quote=NSXType-R;966941]Back when Mitsubishi was still relevant and made interesting cars.

...sigh.[/quote]

Yeah, every time I see a new Mitsubishi I think "Oh hey, they still exist!"

[quote=ScionDriver;966958]Yeah, every time I see a new Mitsubishi I think "Oh hey, they still exist!"[/quote]

Yep, me too... I mean, is there any country except Japan where they aren't floating along with 0,X% market share? The only decent cars they build now are the Colt (which is not really up to the competition), the Lancer and the ASX/ Outlander Sport.
Mitsubishis problem is that they just don't have any interesting cars (not just performance cars) except the Evo.

Anyone have any idea if the Lancer Ralliart is doing anything? I don't think I've ever seen one...

[quote=pimento;966973]Anyone have any idea if the Lancer Ralliart is doing anything? I don't think I've ever seen one...[/quote]

The Ralliart isn't even built anymore. Ralliart itself was sort of closed during the economy crisis if I remember that right. Also, I think it didn't sell that well :(.

[quote=Commodore GS/E;966975]The Ralliart isn't even built anymore. Ralliart itself was sort of closed during the economy crisis if I remember that right. Also, I think it didn't sell that well :(.[/quote]
Was it even sold at all in Yurop?

[quote=Ferrer;966978]Was it even sold at all in Yurop?[/quote]

Yes, it was, but as I said: sales equaled zero. Nobody wanted it ("if we buy a sporty Mitsu, it has to be an Evo"- and I can understand them. The Ralliart didn't get good reviews)

IIRC it was auto only too, which may have hurt the interest.

The same that happens with the Ibiza Cupra/Ibiza FR/Fabia RS/Polo GTI.

Looks like it's still on sale here.. with a twin-clutch 'box.

And supposedly the Evolution is going away in 2013. So wtf is Mitsubishi even hoping to sell when that goes away?

Mitsubishi's future is probably electric.

Will Mitsubishi end up like Isuzu? Really make no cars that are that great and end up going back to the Japanese market and just sell commercial vehicles and parts? It seems likely, especially if they didn't have the Evo.

I've come to a point where I simply don't care about Mitsu anymore. Since the've discontinued the Galant at the early 00's, they have constantly lost market share. I'm not really sure if they will make the jump to an all-electric eco brand, because they simply don't have the reputation to do so (Mitsu's engines aren't really the apex of efficiency, you know). Toyota needed years to establish itself as a producer of eco-friendly cars, but their budget is much higher.
Seriously, why care about a car maker that has no intentions on improving it's lineup? From what I heard, they will probably cancel all their bigger cars and become sort of the next Daihatsu... but without quirky cars like the Copen -.-

They have the most horrid vehicle selection currently on the market IMO....and have the past several years.

[quote=Commodore GS/E;967038]I've come to a point where I simply don't care about Mitsu anymore. Since the've discontinued the Galant at the early 00's, they have constantly lost market share. I'm not really sure if they will make the jump to an all-electric eco brand, because they simply don't have the reputation to do so (Mitsu's engines aren't really the apex of efficiency, you know). Toyota needed years to establish itself as a producer of eco-friendly cars, but their budget is much higher.
Seriously, why care about a car maker that has no intentions on improving it's lineup? From what I heard, they will probably cancel all their bigger cars and become sort of the next Daihatsu... but without quirky cars like the Copen -.-[/quote]

The Galant is still around. I think. It's just a neutered FWD sedan. I'm not sure how Mitsubishi went so wrong. They had the Galant, the Eclipse, 3000 GT and the Lancer.

[quote=NSXType-R;967049]The Galant is still around. I think. It's just a neutered FWD sedan. I'm not sure how Mitsubishi went so wrong. They had the Galant, the Eclipse, 3000 GT and the Lancer.[/quote]

They've axed the Galant in Europe long ago. For the rest of the cars, it's easy to explain why Mitsu fails:

Eclipse: became heavier and less competitive with each generation. Generic shape, no awd, heavy, really bad engines... fail.

3000GT: Mitsu failed to build a sucessor for it's probably best car.

Lancer: the only decent car they build right now, but I guess it's not powerful enough for the american market (except the Evo- for some reason, many people in your countre seem to think that they absolutely need at least 180 hp...). On the european market, it doesn't reall stand a chance. Mitsu doesn't offer enough diesel engines, the Lancer Hatch came far too late and isn't good enough, and there is no wagon... which makes it technically a fail, too.

Mitsu has simply failed to invest into the right cars. The only other car maker with an equally overaged portfolio that I can think of is Saab.

I don't think they're gonna make it. I mean the car they lay all their hopes on looks like a big jelly bean...

Mitsubishi Starion / Dodge Conquest #4