What is the American version of the Mitsubishi Starion?
The Mitsubishi Starion, a sporty and turbocharged coupe from the 1980s, is a beloved classic among car enthusiasts. Known for its sleek design and impressive performance, the Starion also had an American counterpart that was marketed under a different name. In this article, we’ll explore the American version of the Mitsubishi Starion and its significance in automotive history.
The American Counterpart: Chrysler Conquest
In the United States, the Mitsubishi Starion was rebranded and sold as the Chrysler Conquest. This partnership was part of a collaboration between Mitsubishi and Chrysler during the 1980s, which allowed Chrysler to expand its lineup with sporty, performance-oriented vehicles. The Chrysler Conquest retained much of the Starion’s design and engineering, making it nearly identical to its Japanese counterpart.
Key Features of the Chrysler Conquest
The Chrysler Conquest shared many of the same features as the Mitsubishi Starion, including its turbocharged engine and rear-wheel-drive layout. Here are some of the standout features:
- Turbocharged Engine: The Conquest was equipped with a turbocharged 2.6-liter inline-four engine, delivering impressive power for its time.
- Rear-Wheel Drive: Like the Starion, the Conquest featured a rear-wheel-drive configuration, providing excellent handling and driving dynamics.
- Aggressive Styling: The car’s wide stance, pop-up headlights, and flared fenders gave it a bold and sporty appearance.
- Advanced Technology: The Conquest included features such as digital dashboards and adjustable suspension, which were considered cutting-edge in the 1980s.
Why the Chrysler Conquest Matters
The Chrysler Conquest holds a special place in automotive history as a symbol of the collaboration between American and Japanese automakers during the 1980s. It provided American consumers with access to a high-performance vehicle that was both stylish and affordable. Today, both the Mitsubishi Starion and Chrysler Conquest are sought after by collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate their unique blend of performance and design.
Conclusion
Whether you know it as the Mitsubishi Starion or the Chrysler Conquest, this turbocharged coupe remains an iconic vehicle from the 1980s. Its innovative features and striking design continue to captivate car enthusiasts around the world. If you’re lucky enough to come across one of these classics, you’ll be experiencing a piece of automotive history that represents the best of both Japanese and American engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it Mitsubishi Starion or Stallion?
Thanks to the heavy Japanese accent, the name went from Stallion to Starion during transcription. Once Mitsubishi's headquarters had to communicate globally, the car became known as the Starion. Japanese is a recognized language spoken by roughly 130 million people.
Are Mitsubishi Starion fast?
The Starion fitted that purpose perfectly. With a top speed of 135 mph and 0-60 in 7.5 seconds, not even the new Porsche 944 could fend off its challenge.
What car is a stallion?
The Toyota Stallion is a nameplate used on three different pickup truck models by Toyota: Toyota Stallion (K40), a rebadged second-generation Toyota Stout for the South African market, 1965–1978. Toyota Stallion (F40), a rebadged third-generation Toyota Kijang for the South African market, 1994–2000.
Is the Mitsubishi Starion fast?
The Starion fitted that purpose perfectly. With a top speed of 135 mph and 0-60 in 7.5 seconds, not even the new Porsche 944 could fend off its challenge.
Is the Mitsubishi Starion rare?
Almost every car from that decade gets lots of attention today, except for the Mitsubishi Starion. It is quite a rare car to see nowadays and almost always gets confused for either a Toyota Supra or an RX-7.
What is the Mitsubishi Starion the same as?
Starting in 1984, the Starion was rebadged as both the Dodge and the Plymouth Conquest, changing only the badges and logos found on the vehicle while retaining everything else Mitsubishi.
Was the Mitsubishi Starion sold in the US?
It was marketed in North America by Mitsubishi as the Starion from 1983 until 1989. It was also sold as a captive import by Chrysler as the Conquest, under both the Dodge and Plymouth names from 1984 until 1986 and only under the Chrysler name from 1987 until 1989.
What is the rarest car to exist?
Here are six of the rarest cars in the world.
- McLaren F1 LM. The McLaren F1 LM is the fastest and most powerful McLaren ever made一and yes, it was built for the streets instead of the tracks.
- Lamborghini Veneno.
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing”
- Ferrari Testarossa Spider.
- Bugatti La Voiture Noire.
- Ferrari 250 GTO.
What car did Mitsubishi make for Dodge?
Beginning with the 1978 model year, Dodge marketed a rebadged variant of the early Mitsubishi Galant Lambda coupe, as the Dodge Challenger — through Dodge dealers as a captive import, originally as the "Dodge Colt Challenger".
What was the sister car to the Mitsubishi Starion?
The Mitsubishi Starion and the Chrysler Conquest, affectionately known as “Starquests,” are quite a bit more expensive than they were a year ago but have appreciated later and in smaller increments than most of their hair metal–era peers.
