Mitsubishi Starion Sales Figures

Mitsubishi Starion

The Mitsubishi Starion was a sports car that was produced by Mitsubishi from 1982 to 1990. It was available as a coupe and convertible. The Starion was known for its stylish design, powerful engine, and available all-wheel drive. It was a popular choice for those who wanted a stylish and sporty car. In summary, the Mitsubishi Starion is an emblematic representation of the 1980s’ enthusiasm for turbocharged sports cars, showcasing Mitsubishi’s capability in producing performance-oriented vehicles.

Mitsubishi Starion Overview

The Mitsubishi Starion is a noteworthy sports coupe produced by Mitsubishi in the 1980s and early 1990s. It’s particularly recognized for its turbocharged performance and its place in the sports car segment during an era that saw the rise of many iconic Japanese sports cars. The Starion was a 2-door coupe with a rear-wheel-drive layout. It was powered by a series of inline-four engines, most notably with turbocharging, which gave it impressive performance for its time. Later versions, particularly the “widebody” models, were equipped with an intercooler to boost performance further. The Starion featured pop-up headlights and flared fenders, especially pronounced in the widebody versions. Its design was characteristic of the angular, wedge-shaped sports cars of the 1980s.

Under a collaborative agreement with Chrysler, the Starion was also sold in North America as the Chrysler Conquest, Dodge Conquest, and Plymouth Conquest. These badge-engineered versions were largely identical to the Mitsubishi model, with minor cosmetic differences.

The Starion was Mitsubishi’s answer to the rising popularity of sports coupes, particularly from Japan. It was positioned as a performance-oriented car, especially in its turbocharged variants. The Starion competed with several other Japanese sports coupes of the era, including the Nissan 300ZX, Mazda RX-7, and Toyota Supra. The car was generally well-received, praised for its performance, especially given its turbocharged engine. However, like many cars of its era, it faced challenges related to turbo lag and the complexities of turbo maintenance.

The Starion was discontinued in 1990 and was not directly replaced in Mitsubishi’s lineup. The Starion, along with its contemporaries, has become something of a cult classic among car enthusiasts. It’s remembered as part of the wave of Japanese sports cars from the 1980s that combined performance, innovation, and relative affordability.