| Mitsubishi Starion | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
| Also called | Mitsubishi Colt Starion Chrysler Conquest Dodge Conquest Plymouth Conquest |
| Production | 1982–1989 |
| Assembly | Nagoya, Aichi, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 3-door coupé |
| Platform | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4G63 2.0 L I4 4G54 2.6 L I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,435 mm (95.9 in) |
| Length | 4,410 mm (173.6 in) (1982–87) 4,400 mm (173.2 in) (1988–90) |
| Width | 1,685 mm (66.3 in) (narrowbody) 1,745 mm (68.7 in) (widebody) 1,735 mm (68.3 in) (1988–89) |
| Height | 1,320 mm (52.0 in) (1982–87) 1,275 mm (50.2 in) (1988–89) |
| Curb weight | 1,260 kg (2,800 lb) (narrowbody) 1,340 kg (3,000 lb) (widebody) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mitsubishi Galant Lambda GSR |
| Successor | Mitsubishi GTO/3000GT |
Background[edit]
The Starion's appearance in 1982 occurred during a period in which a number of Japanese Grand Tourer (GT) sports cars were increasing in popularity. Nearly every major Japanese manufacturer threw their hats into the ring. Mitsubishi produced the turbocharged Starion as their entry into the competition. Its most direct competitors were the Nissan Z cars, Mazda RX-7, Toyota Supra and to a lesser extent, the Honda Prelude and Isuzu Piazza.
Over the production run of the Starion, nearly every year brought changes, increased engine power, as well as larger body sizes and more complexity in the vehicle.
The Starion was sold under different brandings. In the US it was sold under Mitsubishi as the Starion and under Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler as the Conquest. In the UK it was sold as the Colt Starion.
The Starion was produced in two distinct body styles; A narrowbody and widebodyoften referred to as "Flatty" and "Fatty". This was so that the vehicle in Japan was in compliance with Japanese exterior dimension regulations that required an additional tax to be paid for larger vehicles, and engine displacement exceeding 2000cc. Only the narrow body was offered until the 1985.5 model year in the US. Some say the 1985.5 model is the most collectible as it's the only "flatty" to have the intercooler. These are very rare to say the least. Mechanically both body styles were similar, but many parts are not interchangeable.
The introduction of the widebody also split the car into two distinct ranges. One a non-intercooled lower horsepower car using the narrow body style and a high-performance intercooled widebody. It should be noted some markets never received the widebody cars, but had "flatties" with most of the wide body upgrades as their top of the line model.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, just in a "flatty" body.
Production ceased entirely by 1989, and its successor, the GTO was fitted with the mechanicals of the recently demonstrated Mitsubishi HSX Sports Coupe concept vehicle.
Many of the performance features of the Starion were integrated into later vehicles and can be found in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, the Mitsubishi Galant VR-4, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse.
Naming controversy[edit]
The "Starion" name is claimed by Mitsubishi to be a contraction of "Star of Orion", although an urban legend claims that it was intended to be stallion, as a result of an "Engrish" mistranslation.[2][3]
Automotive journalist Paul Niedermeyer points out that an early Japanese television commercial for the Starion had a closing logo featuring the profile of a stallion's head with the word "Starion" below it. The translation of the commercial describes the name as referring to a star and the mythical horse, Arion.[4] The Mitsubishi Colt and Mitsubishi Eclipse also had equine-related names, with the Eclipse being named after the champion racehorse.
Overview[edit]
The Starion used 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 swaybars that were fitted to front and rear.[1]
Engine capacity differed between markets. American customers received the larger SOHCAstron 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 theMitsubishi 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, the first Japanese production vehicle to do so. 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.
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.
The last of the leaded petrol Starion EX's sold in New Zealand had 8 Valves, an Intercooler and 225 hp (168 kW). They also featured a TC06 turbo and an Viscous Limited Slip Differential.
A naturally aspirated version known as the GX was also built for the Japanese market, however production ceased in 1983 due to low sales figures. The Starion GX had no power windows, no air conditioning, no independent rear suspension, no fuel injection and did not have power-assisted steering.
Seating was a 2+2 arrangement, although the rear seats are not too suitable for large adults. The front seats were adjustable for lumbar, angle, knee support, position and featured variable-angle side-braces.
One of the more unusual features was that the seat belts were located in the doors for the driver and front passenger. '87 and later American models featured electrically operated seat belts. The cars were also some of the first to use automatic climate control. Newer models also featured power windows that remained powered up to 30 second 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.
Constant upgrades to the model included the addition of an intercooler, five-lug wheels replacing the four-bolt wheels it had inherited from 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. The "best" year is often debated, For US market cars the debate is most often between the '86 and '89 models. 1988s and '89s have more developed fuel management and stronger running gear. '86s are lighter, somewhat simpler to modify and have non-motorized seatbelts. '87s are similar to '88/89 in most respects and can be easy upgraded to '89 specs.
Towards the end of the models US run a widebody could be bought with a "Sports Handling Package" or SHP equipped. This was made up of adjustable front and rear struts and 1 inch wider wheels (up from 16x7 to 8 front and 16x8 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.
In 1988, a Special Edition Conquest TSI-SE was made to commemorate various IMSA and SCCA Championship wins. It consisted of 150 limited vehicles from the first 500 of the assembly line in Japan (75 to ROW and 75 to USA/North America). They featured all US dealer Options, including SHP packages, a revised PCI-ECM with "Over-boost", HD Borg Warner JM600 4-speed Automatic Transmission with bush button Overdrive / 4th gear lockout and an exclusive Group-B Yellow exterior color scheme (Paint Code 059). A one year only limited production run (Verified by MCA-Chrysler Motorsports of America 10/01).
The drag coefficient was around 0.32;[1][2] although quite angular, the aerodynamics were quite efficient for the era and around theaverage for a modern hatchback. It outperformed the Mazda RX-7 and the Nissan 300ZX upon its release.[1]
Notable upgrades include MPI (Multi-Port-Injection) consisting of standalone engine management (programmable computers) to control individual fuel injectors, 1 per cylinder vs. the stock PCI-ECM two injector system. Two injector systems were non sequential firing (83-86) or primary (idle injector) and secondary (Boost injector) 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
- Figures courtesy Mitsubishi Japan.
Models[edit]
A number of models existed throughout the world during 1982 to 1990.
Japan[edit]
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
Australia[edit]
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
North America[edit]
It was marketed in North America by Mitsubishi as the Starion from 1983 until 1989 and byChrysler 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).[5]
Mitsubishi
- LS
- ES
- ESI - 1986
- LE
- ESI-R - widebody only 1987-89, Intercooled
Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth
- TSI - widebody 1987-89, Intercooled
- TSI-SE (**1988 Special Edition, Painted Group B Yellow (Code 059), Limited Production)
- Technica (this was a narrow-body package without intercooler)
Verified by ** MCA-Chrysler Motorsports of America (10/01).
Europe[edit]
2.0 L 4G63 engine with MHI TC06-11A turbocharger, apart from GSR-VR which has 2.6 L 4G54 engine with TD05-12A TC.[6]
- EX II - flatbody with intercooler
- EX - luxury version
- Turbo - base model
With the exception of Australia, many models were available as either narrowbody or widebody shell styles.
Motorsports[edit]
The Starion was a prominent competitor in motorsports up to International level during the 1980s and performed well on the circuit inGroup A and Group N races of the era. Andy McLennan driving a Simmons drums sponsored Starion was very successful, picking up many race wins and a Monroe championship, this against the semi works car of Colin Blower.[6] In Holland, John Hugenholtz won the over 2L class in the Dutch Championship, with the Colin Blower-prepared Mitsubishi Dealers car. In the United States, the Starion became best known for successes in endurance racing. Starions from Dave Wolin's Team Mitsubishi, with turbocharged 2.6 L G54Bengines built by noted Lotus engine guru Dave Vegher, captured the prestigious "Longest Day of Nelson Ledges" 24 hour endurance race four years running from 1984 through 1987.[7] Team Mitsubishi Starions also won the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) U.S. Endurance Championships three of those four years, competing against the fully factory-backed (Wolin's team was only partially sponsored by Mitsubishi) efforts from Chrysler, Audi, Nissan and Mazda. Although not commonly seen in modern motorsports, a number are still raced on both circuit and in special stage rally events, usually by privateers.
Starion 4WD[edit]
The Starion was not very successful off-road, but found victory in Group A World Rally Championships and Asia Pacific Rally Championships during 1987 and 1988. An all wheel drive version of the Starion was also produced for Group B specifications (one of the fewJapanese automobile manufacturers to enter this class), but after an encouraging start as a prototype, it was not homologated before the FIA banned Group B cars for safety reasons. The Starion was converted to all wheel drive by adding a strengthened transfer case from a Pajero behind the transmission. This configuration allowed the engine to be situated well back in the chassis, for improved front/rear weight distribution compared to the Audi Quattro, whose configuration required the engine to be far forward in the car. Although the wheelbase did not change, the use of regular headlights rather than the production model's pop-up headlights allowed the nose to be six inches shorter, as well as saving several pounds in weight. Further weight was saved by the use of carbon fiber for the driveshafts, sumpguard, and lower arms of the suspension, and fiberglass for the hood (bonnet), tailgate, door skins, fenders, bumpers and spoilers, resulting in a final weight of less than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb), lighter than the Audi Quattro. The car was developed with a turbocharged and intercooled version of Mitsubishi's 2.0 L fuel injected engine, but the final goal was to use a turbocharged and intercooled 261 kW (355 PS; 350 hp) version of the Sirius Dashengine that Mitsubishi announced at the 1983 Tokyo Motor Show, which switched electronically at 2500 rpm from one inlet valve per cylinder to two. The car was campaigned for Mitsubishi by Team Ralliart in Essex, Great Britain, under rally veteran Andrew Cowan and engineer Alan Wilkinson, who had developed the Audi Quattro for Audi Sport UK.
Major results circuit[edit]
International[edit]
- 1984 SCCA Nelson Ledges 24 Hour Race 1st
- 1984 SCCA Playboy Endurance Championship 1st
- 1984 Silverstone Finale 1st[6]
- 1985 British Saloon Car Championship 2nd in championship
- 1985 Guia Race in Macau Grand Prix 3rd
- 1985 Guia Race in Macau Grand Prix 4th
- 1985 SCCA Nelson Ledges 24 Hour Race 1st, Despite heavy rollover crash damage.
- 1985 SCCA Playboy Endurance Championship 1st
- 1986 SCCA Escort Endurance Championship 2nd
- 1986 SCCA Nelson Ledges 24 Hour Race 1st
- 1986 SCCA Showroom Stock A National Championship 1st
- 1986 Dutch National Touring Car Championship 1st
- 1987 SCCA Escort Endurance Championship 1st
- 1987 SCCA Nelson Ledges 24 Hour Race 1st
- 1988 SCCA Showroom Stock A National Championship 1st
- 1990 SCCA Showroom Stock A National Championship 1st
Japan[edit]
- 1985 Inter TEC (Japanese Touring Car Championship (JTC)) 4th
- 1986 SUGO Group A 300 km Race (JTC) 3rd
- 1986 Race de Nippon Tsukuba (JTC) 1st
- 1986 Suzaka 300 km Race (JTC) 2nd
- 1986 All Japan Touring Car Championship 2nd in championship
- 1987 All Japan Touring Car Race (JTC) 1st
- 1987 GHiland Touring Car 300 km Race (JTC) 1st
- 1987 All Japan Touring Car Championship 3rd in championship
- 1988 Hiland Touring Car 300 km Race (JTC) 2nd
Major results rally[edit]
Starion 4WD (1984–1986)
- 1983 Paris-Dakar Rally 1st in Experimental Class
- 1984 Milles Piste Rally (French Rally Championship) 1st in Prototype Category
- 1986 Hong Kong-Beijing Rally 2nd
- 1987 Qutar Rally (Middle East Rally Rally Côte d'Ivoire (World Rally Championship) 4th
- 1987 Himalayan Rally 1st
- 1987 Oman Rally (Middle East Rally Championship) 3rd
- 1988 Scottish Rally (British Rally Championship)
- 1988 British Open Rally Championship 1st (Pentti Airikkala/Terry Harryman).
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