The First Mitsubishis
With about 70 dealers spread over 22 states, Mitsubishi began selling three cars (Cordia, Tredia and Starion) and two trucks (Mighty Max pickup and Montero SUV) in late 1982, as 1983 models. The Mighty Max was essentially identical to the Dodge D-50 and Dodge sold a version of the Starion as the Conquest.
The Cordia coupe and Tredia sedan were mechanically identical front-drivers, which in turn shared much of their substance with the then-current Colts being sold by Dodge and Plymouth-including the optional Twin Stick transaxle (called 4+4 by Mitsu's marketers). These were not the most exciting vehicles ever conceived, with only 82bhp from a 1.8-liter, SOHC, eight-valve four breathing through a two-barrel carburetor. They were so unimpressive that they're virtually impossible to find in running condition today.
More significant from an enthusiast's point of view was the rear-drive Starion sport coupe which came with a 2.6-liter, SOHC, eight-valve four, which-thanks to fuel injection and a TC05 turbocharger-was rated at a healthy 145bhp. That was huge power back in 1982, when it was big news that the 5.0-liter V8 in the Ford Mustang was making 157bhp. "It's a little hard to get a fix on the name-a portmanteau compression of Star and Orion, not a telex mispronunciation of Stallion-but the equipment list identifies its purpose," wrote Car and Driver in its first test of the Starion LS. "There are MacPherson struts both front and rear, disc brakes all around, and a 145bhp, turbocharged, 2.6-liter four-cylinder under the hood. The road-wheel package provides 215/60 tires on 6.5-inch rims and the technical performance offers a limited-slip differential and an anti-lock device for the rear wheels. The Luxury Sport interior affords every convenience feature known to gadget science, including six-way adjustable seats, trick instrumentation and a full-service dashboard. In short, the Starion is like all the descendents of the original Datsun 240Z: a fast GT car outfitted for luxury and calibrated for everyday transportation."
Back then, Car and Driver reflected the conventional wisdom when it summarized the Starion as mixing "excellence with a curious lack of finesse." But the Starion was the car for anyone who was excited about Mitsubishi. It ran from 0 to 60mph in 8.7 seconds, blitzed the quarter-mile in 16.4 seconds at 85mph, and topped out at 124mph. A major update occurred in 1986 that introduced the ESI-R model with swollen fenders, wider 16-inch wheels and tires, a mandatory five-speed manual gearbox and 176bhp. When the last ESI-R rolled off the assembly lines in 1989, the 2.6-liter turbo four under its hood was rated at a full 188bhp, thanks to the addition of intercooling.
Despite the addition of turbochargers to the Cordia and Tredia for 1984, no one had much enthusiasm for this awkward duo. But they somehow survived to make it through to 1988. They were overshadowed not only by the Starion, but also by the 1985 introduction of the Mirage compact (also sold through Dodge and Plymouth as the Colt) and Galant mainstream sedan.
The Mirage couldn't have been more square-cut in its first generation, but it was available with either a 68bhp, 1.5-liter SOHC or a 102bhp, turbocharged version of the same engine. Mitsubishi's commitment to turbocharging was paying off as the public began perceiving the brand as being oriented toward performance. And that perception was deserved.